Specialty pigment imports in the United States: data, top suppliers and prices
The United States imported $91.7 million of specialty pigment in 2024 (6.0 thousand tonnes). That makes it the largest importer of this product worldwide, out of 177 countries. Value rose 29% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 8% a year on average.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $91.7M | 6.0K t |
| 2023 | $70.9M | 4.2K t |
| 2022 | $88.8M | 7.1K t |
| 2021 | $87.7M | 7.4K t |
| 2020 | $64.5M | 5.6K t |
| 2019 | $71.8M | 5.1K t |
| 2018 | $64.9M | 5.4K t |
| 2017 | $52.2M | 4.0K t |
Where the United States imports specialty pigment from
Most of the value came from Taiwan (24%), Malaysia (19%), China (17%). Among the main suppliers, Malaysia grew fastest (+114% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Taiwan | $21.7M | 24% |
| Malaysia | $17.7M | 19% |
| China | $15.7M | 17% |
| Germany | $11.8M | 13% |
| South Korea | $8.1M | 8.8% |
| Italy | $7.8M | 8.5% |
| Canada | $3.8M | 4.1% |
| United Kingdom | $1.1M | 1.2% |
| Japan | $895K | 1% |
| Switzerland | $713K | 0.8% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $15.33 per kg, close to the world average of $14.05.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Specialty pigment exports from the United States
Exports of specialty pigment by the United States reached $49.4 million in 2024 (2.3 thousand tonnes). That makes it the 6th largest exporter of this product worldwide, out of 104 countries. The largest buyer markets were Canada (24%), Mexico (20%), Germany (7%). Among the main buyer markets, Vietnam grew fastest (+331% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | $11.9M | 24% |
| Mexico | $9.8M | 20% |
| Germany | $3.3M | 6.7% |
| United Kingdom | $3.1M | 6.2% |
| China | $2.9M | 5.8% |
| France | $2.2M | 4.5% |
| Netherlands | $2.0M | 4% |
| Vietnam | $1.4M | 2.8% |
| Brazil | $1.2M | 2.4% |
| Colombia | $941K | 1.9% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United States?
The shipment records behind United States specialty pigment imports (HS 3212.10): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Direct customs feed: shipment-level records from the official customs source.
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 3212.10: Pigments: of a kind used in the manufacture of paints, stamping foils.
Common questions
What is the value of specialty pigment imported by the United States?
The United States imported specialty pigment worth $91.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 6.0 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 1st of 177 countries worldwide, with 11% of world imports. The value was up 29% on 2023.
Which countries supply specialty pigment to the United States?
Taiwan was the largest supplier with 24% of the value ($21.7 million), followed by Malaysia (19%) and China (17%). The top three together account for 60%, out of 41 supplier countries in total. Switzerland grew fastest among the top ten, up 285% on the year.
What is the average import price of specialty pigment per kg?
The average declared import value was about $15.33 per kg in 2024, 9% above the world average of $14.05 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of specialty pigment to the United States changed since 2017?
Imports went from $52.2 million in 2017 to $91.7 million in 2024, an increase of 76%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $74.1 million a year.
Does the United States also export specialty pigment?
Yes. The United States exported $49.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Canada, Mexico and Germany. On balance the United States is a net importer of this product, by about $42.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for specialty pigment?
The HS code for specialty pigment is subheading 3212.10. It sits in HS chapter 32 (tanning or dyeing extracts; tannins and their derivatives; dyes, pigments and other colouring matter; paints, varnishes; putty, other mastics; inks). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3212 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; the company-level detail sits in EximDataX, which has a direct customs feed for the United States. Tell us your product to see it live.
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