Product classification
HS code for Engobe: 3207.20
Enamels and glazes, vitrifiable enamels and glazes, engobes (slips) and similar preparations.
Classification of engobe under HS 3207.20
Engobe, also known as ceramic slip, is classified under HS code 3207.20. Heading 3207 covers prepared pigments, opacifiers, and colors, vitrifiable enamels and glazes, engobes (slips), liquid lustres, and similar preparations of a kind used in the ceramic, enamelling, or glass industry. Engobes are specifically mentioned in the text of subheading 3207.20. An engobe is a coating of clay slip applied to a ceramic body to impart color, opacity, or a specific surface texture before firing. The classification is based on the chemical preparation and the intended use in the ceramics industry. These are not merely raw clays but are prepared mixtures that may include fluxes, pigments, and other chemical additives to ensure they bond correctly with the ceramic substrate during the vitrification process. According to the Explanatory Notes for heading 3207, these preparations are often in the form of powder, granules, or flakes, which are then mixed with water or other liquids before application. The vitrifiable nature of the preparation—meaning it forms a glass-like surface when heated—is a key characteristic of products in this subheading.
- Covers
- Ceramic engobes (slips)
- Vitrifiable glazes for tiles
- Vitrifiable enamels for glassware
- Clay-based decorative slips
- Prepared ceramic coatings
- 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. Engobes are sometimes misclassified under HS code 2507.00 (kaolin and other kaolinic clays) or 2508 (other clays). While engobes are clay-based, they are "prepared" mixtures containing chemical additives for the ceramic industry, which moves them from Chapter 25 (raw minerals) to Chapter 32 (chemical products). They may also be confused with 3207.10 (prepared pigments), but 3207.20 is the more specific code for slips and glazes that form a surface coating rather than just providing color.
Top exporters and importers of HS 320720 (the code used for engobe), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 320720 (the code used for engobe) 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 engobe.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Spain $273M 27% of world exports
- 2 China $165M 17% of world exports
- 3 Germany $139M 14% of world exports
World total: $995M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Algeria* ~$94M 8.3% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 2 Germany $86M 7.6% of world imports
- 3 Nigeria $69M 6.1% of world imports
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 engobe
Brazil splits HS 3207.20 into 3 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 3207.20.10Engobes (slips)
- 3207.20.91PCB glazes, at least 25% silver or 40% bismuth
- 3207.20.99Other vitrifiable enamels and glazes
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about engobe
What is the HS code for Engobe?
The HS code for Engobe is 320720 (Enamels and glazes; vitrifiable enamels and glazes, engobes (slips) and similar preparations). The HS code for engobe (ceramic slip) is 3207.20.
How do I classify Engobe for customs?
Engobe 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.
Is engobe the same as a ceramic glaze?
While they are classified under the same HS subheading (3207.20), they differ in composition; engobes are primarily clay-based, whereas glazes contain more flux and silica to create a glassy finish.
Which countries are the top exporters of engobe (HS 320720)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 320720 (the code used for engobe) 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 engobe (HS 320720)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 320720 (the code used for engobe) 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 Engobe the same in all countries?
The base HS code 320720 for Engobe 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 engobe in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 320720 into 3 NCM codes, so the right one for engobe 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).