HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 3213.90 – Colours; (other than in sets), of a kind used by artists, students or signboard painters

HS code 3213.90 is the 6-digit subheading for colours, (other than in sets), of a kind used by artists, students or signboard painters. It is used for individual tubes of oil paint, single pots of acrylic ink, large bottles of artist's acrylic paint, individual pans of watercolor and professional gouache.

What HS 3213.90 covers

This HS code covers individual colors (not in sets) specifically prepared for artists, students, or signboard painters. These products are typically sold as single tubes, pots, or bottles, offering specific hues, lightfastness, and working properties tailored for artistic expression and professional use. They often represent higher-grade pigments and binders compared to general-purpose paints. Importers are art supply stores, professional artists, and specialized craft retailers. Exporters are manufacturers of fine art materials. Trade in these individual colors is driven by demand for specific shades, professional quality, and specialized artistic techniques.

Covers
  • Individual tubes of oil paint
  • Single pots of acrylic ink
  • Large bottles of artist's acrylic paint
  • Individual pans of watercolor
  • Professional gouache
  • Signboard enamel
  • Textile paints
  • Ceramic paints
Examples
  • Golden Heavy Body Acrylics
  • Sennelier Oil Paints
  • Daniel Smith Watercolors
  • Liquitex Professional Acrylic Ink
  • Winsor & Newton Professional Water Colour

Codes often confused with 3213.90

Common mistake. Can be confused with 321310 if the distinction between individual items and sets is not clear, or with industrial paints (e.g., 3208, 3209) if the 'artist/student' intent is not obvious.

3213.10Colours; in sets, of a kind used by artists, students or signboard painters32.08Paints, varnishes; (enamels and lacquers) based on synthetic polymers or chemically modified natural polymers, dispersed or dissolved in a non-aqueous medium32.09Paints and varnishes (including enamels and lacquers) based on synthetic or chemically modified natural polymers, dispersed or dissolved in an aqueous medium

Top exporters and importers of HS code 321390, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 321390 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 28% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 15% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 China $153M
  2. 2 France $61M
  3. 3 Netherlands $49M

World total: $549M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $72M
  2. 2 Germany $37M
  3. 3 France $37M

World total: $467M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

How these figures are built

109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).

Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.

Brazil NCM code for 3213.90

Brazil does not split HS 3213.90: its NCM code is 3213.90.00.

  1. 3213.90.00 Other artists', students' or signboard coloursOutras

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 32.13 →

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.

Questions about HS 3213.90

What is HS code 321390?

HS code 321390 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Colours; (other than in sets), of a kind used by artists, students or signboard painters. This HS code covers individual colors (not in sets) specifically prepared for artists, students, or signboard painters. These products are typically sold as single tubes, pots, or bottles, offering specific hues, lightfastness, and working properties tailored for artistic expression and professional use. They often represent higher-grade pigments and binders compared to general-purpose paints. Importers are art supply stores, professional artists, and specialized craft retailers. Exporters are manufacturers of fine art materials. Trade in these individual colors is driven by demand for specific shades, professional quality, and specialized artistic techniques.

What products fall under HS code 321390?

Individual tubes of oil paint, single pots of acrylic ink, large bottles of artist's acrylic paint, individual pans of watercolor, professional gouache, signboard enamel, textile paints, ceramic paints

What are common misclassifications for HS code 321390?

Can be confused with 321310 if the distinction between individual items and sets is not clear, or with industrial paints (e.g., 3208, 3209) if the 'artist/student' intent is not obvious.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 321390?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 321390 in UN Comtrade data were China ($153M, 28% of world exports), France ($61M) and the Netherlands ($49M). World exports came to about $549M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.

Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 321390?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 321390 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($72M, 15% of world imports), Germany ($37M) and France ($37M). World imports came to about $467M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.

How is HS code 321390 structured?

HS code 321390 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (32) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (13) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (90) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 321390?

In Brazil, HS code 321390 is NCM 3213.90.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.