Colored printing ink trade by country: top importers, exporters and prices
World trade in colored printing ink was worth $5.56 billion in 2024, about 670.7 thousand tonnes. That is a fall of 25% since 2017, and up 3% on 2023.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
World trade by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $5.56B | 670.7K t |
| 2023 | $5.38B | 602.7K t |
| 2022 | $5.80B | 678.7K t |
| 2021 | $6.05B | 736.7K t |
| 2020 | $5.29B | 671.7K t |
| 2019 | $5.88B | 756.6K t |
| 2018 | $6.08B | 764.6K t |
| 2017 | $7.44B | 861.9K t |
Top colored printing ink exporting countries
Germany is the largest exporter with 13% of world exports, followed by Switzerland and Japan. The top three supply 31% between them, out of 152 exporting countries.
| Exporter | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | $716.7M | 13% |
| Switzerland | $551.8M | 9.9% |
| Japan | $454.8M | 8.2% |
| United States | $390.5M | 7% |
| China | $309.1M | 5.6% |
| Netherlands | $288.0M | 5.2% |
| United Kingdom | $285.6M | 5.1% |
| France | $243.5M | 4.4% |
| India | $221.2M | 4% |
| Italy | $205.0M | 3.7% |
| Spain | $199.6M | 3.6% |
| Belgium | $182.8M | 3.3% |
Top importing countries and buyer markets
The United States is the biggest buyer with 9% of world imports, ahead of Germany and France. Demand is spread widely: the top three take 19% across 218 importing countries.
| Importer | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $475.3M | 8.6% |
| Germany | $321.8M | 5.8% |
| France | $272.0M | 4.9% |
| China | $210.3M | 3.8% |
| Poland | $200.7M | 3.6% |
| Mexico | $191.7M | 3.5% |
| Italy | $176.1M | 3.2% |
| Netherlands | $173.6M | 3.1% |
| Australia | $148.1M | 2.7% |
| Canada | $145.3M | 2.6% |
| United Kingdom | $130.7M | 2.4% |
| Belgium | $125.6M | 2.3% |
Average price per kg
The world average declared value was about $8.29 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, Switzerland averaged $35.11 per kg and Germany $5.80 per kg, so grade and origin matter.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments worldwide. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Related product types
Who is behind these numbers in this market?
The shipment records behind Colored printing ink (HS 3215.19) importers and exporters, worldwide: companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 3215.19: Ink: for printing, other than black, whether or not concentrated or solid. HS 3215 codes.
Common questions
Which countries export the most colored printing ink?
Germany exported $716.7 million in 2024, 13% of the world total, followed by Switzerland (10%) and Japan (8%). In all, 152 countries reported exports of this product. The full ranking and map are on this page.
Which countries import the most colored printing ink?
The United States imported $475.3 million in 2024, 9% of world imports, ahead of Germany (6%) and France (5%). The top three importers together take 19%. Each country with its own page is linked from the table.
How big is the world trade in colored printing ink?
It was worth $5.56 billion in 2024, about 670.7 thousand tonnes. That is a fall of 25% since 2017. The peak year was 2017 at $7.44 billion. 152 countries reported exports and 218 reported imports.
What is the average price of colored printing ink per kg?
The world average declared value was about $8.29 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, Switzerland averaged $35.11 per kg and Germany $5.80 per kg, so grade and origin matter. Read it as a benchmark: it blends all grades, origins and contract terms.
What is the HS code for colored printing ink?
The HS code for colored printing ink is subheading 3215.19, in chapter 32 (tanning or dyeing extracts; tannins and their derivatives; dyes, pigments and other colouring matter; paints, varnishes; putty, other mastics; inks). The first six digits are the same in every country; national tariffs add more. The full list of codes is on the HS 3215 page.
How can I find colored printing ink buyers and suppliers?
Company names sit below these country totals: EximDataX reads the customs records shipment by shipment, with dates and values. We can show colored printing ink buyers and suppliers on a short call.
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.