Product classification
HS code for Printer ink: 3215.19
Ink, for printing, other than black, whether or not concentrated or solid.
Classification of printer ink under HS 3215.19
Printer ink in colors other than black is classified under HS code 3215.19. This classification is determined by the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI), specifically GRI 1, which mandates that classification is governed by the terms of the headings and any relative section or chapter notes. Chapter 32 encompasses tanning or dyeing extracts, tannins, dyes, pigments, and other coloring matter, including inks. Heading 3215 is specifically dedicated to printing ink, whether or not concentrated or solid. The subheading 3215.19 serves as the residual category for all printing inks that are not black. This includes a vast array of formulations such as cyan, magenta, and yellow inks used in standard CMYK processes, as well as specialized spot colors and metallic inks. The classification remains consistent regardless of the ink's physical state—liquid, paste, or solid—or its chemical base, such as aqueous, solvent-based, or UV-curable. It is the primary function of the substance as a medium for printing text or images that dictates its placement here. Furthermore, Note 3 to Chapter 32 clarifies that heading 3215 applies to products used as inks in the printing industry, distinguishing them from paints or varnishes. Even when the ink is presented in a cartridge, the chemical substance itself is often classified under 3215, provided the cartridge does not contain a print head or electronic circuitry that would shift the classification to printer parts.
- Covers
- Cyan inkjet ink
- Magenta and yellow offset printing inks
- UV-curable color inks
- Solvent-based flexographic inks
- White printing ink for industrial packaging
- Fluorescent and metallic printing 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. This code is frequently confused with HS code 3215.11, which is strictly reserved for black printing ink. Another common error involves HS code 8443.99, which covers parts and accessories of printing machinery. If the ink is integrated into a cartridge that includes a print head or sophisticated electronic components, some jurisdictions may classify the entire unit under 8443.99. Additionally, writing or drawing inks are classified under 3215.90, not 3215.19.
Top exporters and importers of HS 321519 (the code used for printer ink), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 321519 (the code used for printer 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 printer 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 printer ink
Brazil classifies printer 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 printer ink
What is the HS code for Printer ink?
The HS code for Printer ink is 321519 (Ink; for printing, other than black, whether or not concentrated or solid).
How do I classify Printer ink for customs?
Printer 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.
What is the HS code for color printer ink?
The HS code for color printer ink (non-black) is 3215.19.
Does this code include toner?
No, toner used in laser printers is generally classified under HS code 3707.90 as a chemical preparation for photographic uses, rather than a printing ink.
Which countries are the top exporters of printer ink (HS 321519)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 321519 (the code used for printer 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 printer ink (HS 321519)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 321519 (the code used for printer 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 Printer ink the same in all countries?
The base HS code 321519 for Printer 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 printer ink in Brazil?
In Brazil, printer ink (HS 321519) is classified under NCM 3215.19.00.