Writing and drawing ink exports from the United States: data, top buyers and prices
In 2024, the United States exported writing and drawing ink worth $165.3 million (7.1 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 3%. That is 6% less than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2021, at $238.8 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $165.3M | 7.1K t |
| 2023 | $175.2M | 12.1K t |
| 2022 | $210.8M | 9.9K t |
| 2021 | $238.8M | 12.2K t |
| 2020 | $160.1M | 10.4K t |
| 2019 | $192.4M | 9.1K t |
| 2018 | $206.0M | 11.2K t |
| 2017 | $183.8M | 11.0K t |
Where the United States exports writing and drawing ink to
Most of it went to France (14%), Mexico (11%), Germany (11%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 37%. Among the main buyer markets, United Kingdom grew fastest (+32% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| France | $23.0M | 14% |
| Mexico | $18.9M | 11% |
| Germany | $18.7M | 11% |
| Netherlands | $10.5M | 6.3% |
| China | $8.9M | 5.4% |
| United Kingdom | $8.4M | 5.1% |
| Japan | $7.7M | 4.6% |
| Canada | $7.7M | 4.6% |
| Czech Republic | $6.0M | 3.6% |
| Spain | $3.8M | 2.3% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $23.44 per kg, 32% below the world average of $34.72, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Writing and drawing ink imports to the United States
Imports of writing and drawing ink by the United States reached $147.5 million in 2024 (5.7 thousand tonnes). That makes it the 10th largest importer of this product worldwide, out of 220 countries. Most of the value came from Japan (25%), France (15%), Malaysia (14%). Among the main suppliers, Belgium grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | $37.5M | 25% |
| France | $22.5M | 15% |
| Malaysia | $20.9M | 14% |
| United Kingdom | $14.0M | 9.5% |
| Netherlands | $13.6M | 9.2% |
| China | $10.8M | 7.3% |
| Germany | $6.5M | 4.4% |
| Belgium | $6.3M | 4.3% |
| Israel | $2.9M | 2% |
| Canada | $1.3M | 0.9% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United States?
The shipment records behind United States writing and drawing ink exports (HS 3215.90): 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 3215.90: Ink: writing, drawing and other inks, n.e.c. in heading no. 3215, whether or not concentrated or solid.
Common questions
What is the value of writing and drawing ink exported by the United States?
The United States exported writing and drawing ink worth $165.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 7.1 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 11th of 164 countries worldwide, with 3% of world exports. The value was down 6% on 2023.
Which countries buy writing and drawing ink from the United States?
France was the largest buyer with 14% of the value ($23.0 million), followed by Mexico (11%) and Germany (11%). The top three together account for 37%, out of 145 buyer countries in total. The United Kingdom grew fastest among the top ten, up 32% on the year.
What is the average export price of writing and drawing ink per kg?
The average declared export value was about $23.44 per kg in 2024, 32% below the world average of $34.72 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have exports of writing and drawing ink from the United States changed since 2017?
Exports went from $183.8 million in 2017 to $165.3 million in 2024, a fall of 10%. The peak was 2021 at $238.8 million. Over 8 years the average was $191.6 million a year.
Does the United States also import writing and drawing ink?
Yes. The United States imported $147.5 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Japan, France and Malaysia. That compares with exports of $165.3 million in the same year.
What is the HS code for writing and drawing ink?
The HS code for writing and drawing ink is subheading 3215.90. 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 3215 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Shipment-level records for the United States reach EximDataX from a direct customs feed, with company names, dates and declared values. We can show them for your product on a short call.
Same product, other countries
World writing and drawing ink trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for the United States
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