Product classification
HS code for Color printing ink: 3215.19
Ink, for printing, other than black, whether or not concentrated or solid.
Classification of color printing ink under HS 3215.19
Color printing ink is classified under HS code 3215.19. Heading 3215 covers printing ink, writing or drawing ink, and other inks, whether or not concentrated or solid. The heading is divided into printing inks (3215.1) and other inks (3215.9). Within the printing ink category, a distinction is made between black ink (3215.11) and all other colors (3215.19). This classification includes inks used in various printing processes such as lithography, letterpress, flexography, and gravure. The ink may be in liquid, paste, or solid form (such as solid ink sticks for certain printers). The classification is determined by the intended use (printing) and the color (non-black). It is essential to distinguish these from paints or varnishes, which are classified elsewhere in Chapter 32, based on their different chemical compositions and application methods. Printing inks are specifically formulated to adhere to a substrate and dry quickly through evaporation, oxidation, or UV curing, and 3215.19 captures the full spectrum of these non-black industrial inks.
- Covers
- Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow printing inks
- Flexographic color inks
- Offset printing color pastes
- UV-curable color printing inks
- Screen printing color inks
- Also under 3215.19
- Pantone Matching System Inks
- Fujifilm Sericol UV Ink
- Sun Chemical SunLit Diamond
- Toyo Ink Aqua Liona
- HP 61 Color Ink Cartridge
Codes often confused with 3215.19
Common mistake. Color printing ink is frequently confused with HS code 3215.11, which is exclusively for black printing ink. Another common error is using 3215.90, which is reserved for writing, drawing, or other non-printing inks (like fountain pen ink). Additionally, some digital toners are occasionally misclassified under 3707 (photographic chemicals), but if they function as the primary coloring agent in a printing process, 3215.19 is generally the correct classification. It is also important not to confuse these with 3213, which covers artists' colors in tubes or pans.
Top exporters and importers of HS 321519 (the code used for color printing ink), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 321519 (the code used for color printing ink) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 13% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 7.9% 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 321519, not only color printing ink.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $715M 13% of world exports
- 2 Switzerland $555M 10% of world exports
- 3 Japan $467M 8.6% of world exports
World total: $5.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $462M 7.9% of world imports
- 2 United States $448M 7.6% of world imports
- 3 France $334M 5.7% of world imports
World total: $5.9B 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 color printing ink
Brazil classifies color printing ink under NCM 3215.19.00: HS 3215.19 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about color printing ink
What is the HS code for Color printing ink?
The HS code for Color printing ink is 321519 (Ink; for printing, other than black, whether or not concentrated or solid). The HS code for printing ink, other than black, is 3215.19.
How do I classify Color printing ink for customs?
Color printing ink is classified under HS code 321519 — Ink; for printing, other than black, whether or not concentrated or solid. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include ink for inkjet printers?
Yes, color inkjet cartridges containing only ink are typically classified under 3215.19, though some jurisdictions may classify the cartridge assembly differently if it contains a print head.
Which countries are the top exporters of color printing ink (HS 321519)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 321519 (the code used for color printing ink) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($715M, 13% of world exports), Switzerland ($555M) and Japan ($467M). World exports came to about $5.4B, 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 color printing ink (HS 321519)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 321519 (the code used for color printing ink) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($462M, 7.9% of world imports), the United States ($448M) and France ($334M). World imports came to about $5.9B, 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 Color printing ink the same in all countries?
The base HS code 321519 for Color printing ink 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 color printing ink in Brazil?
In Brazil, color printing ink (HS 321519) is classified under NCM 3215.19.00.