Product classification

HS code for Ceramic glaze: 3207.20

Enamels and glazes, vitrifiable enamels and glazes, engobes (slips) and similar preparations.

Classification of ceramic glaze under HS 3207.20

Ceramic glazes and similar preparations are classified under heading 3207. This heading covers prepared pigments, opacifiers, colors, vitrifiable enamels and glazes, engobes, and liquid lustres used in the ceramic, enamelling, or glass industries. Subheading 3207.20 specifically targets vitrifiable enamels and glazes, as well as engobes (slips). These substances are mixtures of silica, fluxes, and metallic oxides that, when applied to a ceramic body and fired, melt to form a glassy, protective, or decorative coating. The classification is determined by the chemical preparation and the intended industrial use. Unlike standard paints or varnishes found in heading 3208, these products must be "vitrifiable," meaning they are designed to be fused by heat during a firing process. This code also includes "slips" or engobes, which are clay-based coatings used to color or smooth the surface of ceramic ware before the final glaze is applied. The products are usually presented in the form of powder, granules, or flakes, or as a suspension in a liquid (such as water or an organic medium).

Covers
  • Vitrifiable ceramic glazes
  • Ceramic enamels in powder or liquid form
  • Engobes (slips) for ceramic coating
  • Vitrifiable preparations for glass decoration
  • Prepared glass frits (when formulated as glaze)
Also under 3207.20
  • Ferro Glazes
  • Johnson Matthey Enamels
  • Colorobbia Glazes
  • Pemco Vitreous Enamels
  • Reimbold & Strick Glazes

Codes often confused with 3207.20

Common mistake. Ceramic glazes are often misclassified under 3207.10, which is reserved for prepared pigments and opacifiers. While related, glazes are distinct because they form a glassy surface. They are also sometimes confused with 3208 or 3209 (paints and varnishes), but those headings exclude vitrifiable products. Raw materials like untreated clay or silica should be classified in Chapter 25, not 3207.

3207.10Pigments; prepared pigments, opacifiers, colours and similar preparations32.08Paints, 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 medium32.07Pigments, prepared; opacifiers, colours, vitrifiable enamels, glazes, engobes (slips), liquid lustres etc as used in the ceramic enamelling or glass industry; glass frit and powder, granules or flakes

Top exporters and importers of HS 320720 (the code used for ceramic glaze), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 320720 (the code used for ceramic glaze) in UN Comtrade data was Spain, with 27% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Algeria, with about 8.3% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.

Figures cover everything classified under HS 320720, not only ceramic glaze.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Spain $273M
  2. 2 China $165M
  3. 3 Germany $139M

World total: $995M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Algeria* ~$94M
  2. 2 Germany $86M
  3. 3 Nigeria $69M

World total: $1.1B 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 codes for ceramic glaze

Brazil splits HS 3207.20 into 3 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.

Questions about ceramic glaze

What is the HS code for Ceramic glaze?

The HS code for Ceramic glaze is 320720 (Enamels and glazes; vitrifiable enamels and glazes, engobes (slips) and similar preparations). The HS code for vitrifiable ceramic glazes and engobes is 3207.20. This includes both the powdered and liquid forms of the preparation.

How do I classify Ceramic glaze for customs?

Ceramic glaze is classified under HS code 320720 — Enamels and glazes; vitrifiable enamels and glazes, engobes (slips) and similar preparations. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Does this code include the pigments used to color the glaze?

If the pigment is sold separately as a concentrated colorant, it is classified under 3207.10. If it is already mixed into the glaze preparation, the entire mixture is classified under 3207.20.

Which countries are the top exporters of ceramic glaze (HS 320720)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 320720 (the code used for ceramic glaze) in UN Comtrade data were Spain ($273M, 27% of world exports), China ($165M) and Germany ($139M). World exports came to about $995M, 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 ceramic glaze (HS 320720)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 320720 (the code used for ceramic glaze) in UN Comtrade data were Algeria (about $94M, 8.3% of world imports), Germany ($86M) and Nigeria ($69M). World imports came to about $1.1B, 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.

Is the HS code for Ceramic glaze the same in all countries?

The base HS code 320720 for Ceramic glaze is internationally standardized for the first 6 digits across 200+ countries. Individual countries may add additional digits for national tariff lines and specific classifications.

What is the NCM code for ceramic glaze in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 320720 into 3 NCM codes, so the right one for ceramic glaze depends on the product's details: 3207.20.10 (Engobes (slips)), 3207.20.91 (PCB glazes, at least 25% silver or 40% bismuth), 3207.20.99 (Other vitrifiable enamels and glazes).