Product classification

HS code for Phosphor powder: 3206.50

Colouring matter, inorganic products of a kind used as luminophores.

Classification of phosphor powder under HS 3206.50

Phosphor powder is classified under HS code 3206.50 as an inorganic product of a kind used as a luminophore. Chapter 32 covers tanning or dyeing extracts, tannins and their derivatives, dyes, pigments, and other coloring matter. Heading 3206 is for other coloring matter and preparations. Subheading 3206.50 is specifically for inorganic products that exhibit luminescence—the emission of light not resulting from heat. These substances, often referred to as phosphors, are used in various technological applications, including the coating of fluorescent lamps, cathode ray tubes, and light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The classification depends on the inorganic nature of the chemical compound; organic luminophores are excluded from this heading and are instead classified under heading 3204. The powder must be prepared specifically for its luminescent properties to fall under this code. This classification is critical for the electronics and lighting industries, as it distinguishes functional chemical coatings from standard decorative pigments.

Covers
  • Fluorescent lamp phosphors
  • Zinc sulfide based luminophores
  • Rare-earth doped phosphor powders
  • Electroluminescent powders
  • CRT and plasma display phosphors
Also under 3206.50
  • Nichia Phosphors
  • Intematix Phosphors
  • Merck KGaA Lumogen
  • Osram Sylvania Phosphors
  • Phosphor Technology Ltd.

Codes often confused with 3206.50

Common mistake. Phosphor powder is often confused with 3204.17 (organic pigments) or 3204.90 (organic luminophores). It may also be misclassified under 2843 through 2846 if the focus is on the rare-earth metal content rather than the functional luminescent preparation. Additionally, 3206.11 (titanium dioxide) is sometimes used in error for white powders.

3204.17Dyes; pigments and preparations based thereon3204.90Dyes; synthetic organic products n.e.c. in heading no. 3204 (e.g. of a kind used as luminophores), whether or not chemically defined28.43Colloidal precious metals; inorganic or organic compounds of precious metals, whether or not chemically defined; amalgams of precious metals28.46Compounds, inorganic or organic, of rare-earth metals; of yttrium or of scandium or of mixtures of these metals3206.11Colouring matter; pigments and preparations based on titanium dioxide, containing 80% or more by weight of titanium dioxide calculated on the dry matter

Top exporters and importers of HS 320650 (the code used for phosphor powder), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 320650 (the code used for phosphor powder) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 29% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 27% 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 320650, not only phosphor powder.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Germany $48M
  2. 2 Japan $45M
  3. 3 United States $18M

World total: $164M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 China $46M
  2. 2 Vietnam* ~$18M
  3. 3 Malaysia $12M

World total: $174M 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 phosphor powder

Brazil splits HS 3206.50 into 4 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:

  • 3206.50.11Radioactive Ca/Sr halophosphates, up to 74 Bq/g
  • 3206.50.19Other radioactive luminophores, up to 74 Bq/g
  • 3206.50.21Non-radioactive calcium/strontium halophosphates
  • 3206.50.29Other non-radioactive inorganic luminophores

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

Questions about phosphor powder

What is the HS code for Phosphor powder?

The HS code for Phosphor powder is 320650 (Colouring matter; inorganic products of a kind used as luminophores). The HS code for inorganic phosphor powder used as a luminophore is 3206.50.

How do I classify Phosphor powder for customs?

Phosphor powder is classified under HS code 320650 — Colouring matter; inorganic products of a kind used as luminophores. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Does this include glow-in-the-dark paint?

If the product is the raw inorganic luminescent powder, it is 3206.50. If it is a finished paint, it would fall under 3208, 3209, or 3210.

Which countries are the top exporters of phosphor powder (HS 320650)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 320650 (the code used for phosphor powder) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($48M, 29% of world exports), Japan ($45M) and the United States ($18M). World exports came to about $164M, 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 phosphor powder (HS 320650)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 320650 (the code used for phosphor powder) in UN Comtrade data were China ($46M, 27% of world imports), Vietnam (about $18M) and Malaysia ($12M). World imports came to about $174M, 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 Phosphor powder the same in all countries?

The base HS code 320650 for Phosphor powder 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 phosphor powder in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 320650 into 4 NCM codes, so the right one for phosphor powder depends on the product's details: 3206.50.11 (Radioactive Ca/Sr halophosphates, up to 74 Bq/g), 3206.50.19 (Other radioactive luminophores, up to 74 Bq/g), 3206.50.21 (Non-radioactive calcium/strontium halophosphates), 3206.50.29 (Other non-radioactive inorganic luminophores).