HS Code 3204Synthetic organic colouring matter and preparations based thereon; synthetic organic products used as fluorescent brightening agents or as luminophores; whether or not chemically defined

What HS code 3204 covers

Heading 3204 holds colouring matter made by people, not taken from plants or animals. The chemicals are organic, which means they are built on carbon. That is why the official text says synthetic organic colouring matter. In plain words, these are synthetic organic dyes.

The heading also takes two other groups. Fluorescent brightening agents make materials look whiter and brighter. Luminophores give off light. Preparations based on these products are included too, whether or not the chemical is clearly defined.

You may also see the heading written as HSN code 3204 or HTS 3204. Both point to the same group of goods.

How to choose the right 3204 subheading

Start with the dye class. It is usually printed on the product data sheet. Then match it to a code below.

• 320411: disperse dyes
• 320412: acid dyes (premetallised or not) and mordant dyes
• 320413: basic dyes
• 320414: direct dyes
• 320415: vat dyes, including those usable in that state as pigments
• 320416: reactive dyes
• 320417: pigments
• 320418: carotenoid colouring matters
• 320419: other dyes, including mixtures of two or more from 320411 to 320419
• 320420: fluorescent brightening agents
• 320490: other products in the heading, such as luminophores

Picking a code when the product is a blend or does not fit

A mix of dyes from different classes goes in 320419. A product that fits no class but still belongs in the heading goes in 320490. Check that code last.

If you are unsure, try the HS code classifier. Remember that vat dyes in 320415 can also be used as pigments, so read the wording closely before you choose between 320415 and 320417.

3204 vs 3203, 3205 and 3206

Use 3204 when the colour is man-made and organic. Use 3203 when the colour comes from a plant or an animal, such as a dyeing extract. Use 3205 for colour lakes.

Heading 3206 is the catch-all for colouring matter not named in 3203, 3204 or 3205. It also covers luminophores that are inorganic. So an organic luminophore stays in 320490, while an inorganic one moves to 3206.

Dyes put up in forms or packs for retail sale can fall under 3212 instead. Check the packing and the form of the goods, not only the chemistry.

HS 3204 import and export data: buyers and suppliers

EximDataX shows shipment-level import and export records from official customs sources. Coverage: 43 direct customs feeds plus 184 mirror-derived countries. Named buyers and named suppliers are available in 38 of the 43 direct markets. Most markets refresh weekly and some refresh daily. You can search by HS code to see who imports and exports a product, and book a free demo.

For lists of companies, see the buyer data and supplier data pages. For country-level views, start with import data or export data.

Other headings in Chapter 32

Printing inks sit in 3215. Colour lakes sit in 3205. Prepared pigments for ceramics and glass sit in 3207. Use the links below to move between headings, or go back to the full chapter.