Product classification
HS code for Watercolor set: 3213.10
Colours, in sets, of a kind used by artists, students or signboard painters.
Classification of watercolor set under HS 3213.10
Watercolor sets are classified under HS code 3213.10, which covers colors in sets of a kind used by artists, students, or signboard painters. This heading is specific to "prepared" colors, which consist of pigments mixed with a binder (such as gum arabic, dextrin, or synthetic polymers) and potentially other additives like plasticizers or surfactants to ensure solubility. For a product to fall under 3213.10, it must be presented in a "set." A set typically implies a collection of different colors packaged together for retail sale, often in a tin, plastic box, or cardboard sleeve. These sets are frequently accompanied by accessories like brushes, palettes, or mixing trays, which are included in the classification of the set per GRI 3(b), as the colors provide the essential character. The classification relies on the intended use and the retail presentation. These sets are distinct from industrial paints or dyes because of their refined pigments and their specific formulation for artistic application on paper or board. The HS code 3213.10 ensures that these educational and professional tools are distinguished from bulk chemicals or industrial coatings, facilitating smoother international trade for art supply manufacturers and retailers.
- Covers
- Artist-grade watercolor pan sets
- Student watercolor tube sets
- Gouache sets in retail packaging
- Travel watercolor kits with brushes
- Solid watercolor cakes in sets
- Opaque watercolor (poster paint) sets
- Also under 3213.10
- Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Set
- Liquitex Basics Acrylic Set
- Faber-Castell Art & Graphic Set
- Reeves Acrylic Paint Set
- Crayola Washable Paint Set
Codes often confused with 3213.10
Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification is 3213.90, which is reserved for individual tubes or pans of color not in a set. Another error involves 9608, which covers felt-tip pens and markers; even if they contain water-based ink, they are classified by their delivery mechanism. Additionally, children's "painting kits" that include a pre-printed canvas might sometimes be confused with toys in Chapter 95, but 3213 remains the primary heading for the colors themselves.
Top exporters and importers of HS 321310 (the code used for watercolor set), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 321310 (the code used for watercolor set) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 46% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 13% 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 321310, not only watercolor set.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $236M 46% of world exports
- 2 Saudi Arabia $54M 11% of world exports
- 3 Germany $32M 6.3% of world exports
World total: $515M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $65M 13% of world imports
- 2 United Arab Emirates* ~$63M 13% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 3 Germany $44M 9.0% of world imports
World total: $487M 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 code for watercolor set
Brazil classifies watercolor set under NCM 3213.10.00: HS 3213.10 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about watercolor set
What is the HS code for Watercolor set?
The HS code for Watercolor set is 321310 (Colours; in sets, of a kind used by artists, students or signboard painters). The HS code for watercolor sets used by artists or students is 3213.10.
How do I classify Watercolor set for customs?
Watercolor set is classified under HS code 321310 — Colours; in sets, of a kind used by artists, students or signboard painters. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does the set include the brushes inside the box?
Yes, when brushes are packaged with the colors as a retail set, they are generally classified together under 3213.10.
Which countries are the top exporters of watercolor set (HS 321310)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 321310 (the code used for watercolor set) in UN Comtrade data were China ($236M, 46% of world exports), Saudi Arabia ($54M) and Germany ($32M). World exports came to about $515M, 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 watercolor set (HS 321310)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 321310 (the code used for watercolor set) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($65M, 13% of world imports), the United Arab Emirates (about $63M) and Germany ($44M). World imports came to about $487M, 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 Watercolor set the same in all countries?
The base HS code 321310 for Watercolor set 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 watercolor set in Brazil?
In Brazil, watercolor set (HS 321310) is classified under NCM 3213.10.00.