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HS 32 Chapter · Chemicals & Allied Industries

Tanning or dyeing extracts; tannins and their derivatives; dyes, pigments and other colouring matter; paints, varnishes; putty, other mastics; inks

Chapter 32 of the Harmonised System covers Tanning or dyeing extracts; tannins and their derivatives; dyes, pigments and other colouring matter; paints, varnishes; putty, other mastics; inks — 15 four-digit headings spanning tanning extracts of vegetable origin to ink that customs authorities worldwide use to classify these goods and set duty.

India exports 2024
$4.33B

Source: UN Comtrade — India's reported merchandise exports to the world, 2024.

Sourcing this category from India

Chapter 32 covers tanning and dyeing extracts, dyes, pigments, paints, varnishes, inks and related preparations. India is a significant exporter of synthetic dyes, pigments and dye intermediates, supplying textile and coatings industries worldwide. Subheadings separate tanning extracts, colouring matter, prepared paints and printing inks, each carrying its own tariff and chemical-safety conditions.

How to read this code

32 is the two-digit HS chapter for tanning or dyeing extracts. To clear customs your destination country extends it to a full 8–10 digit code and assigns the duty rate. India's preferential trade agreements (UAE CEPA, Australia ECTA, and others) can reduce or zero out that duty on many chemicals & allied industries lines — check our import guides for your market.

Headings under HS 32

The Harmonised System breaks Tanning or dyeing extracts; tannins and their derivatives; dyes, pigments and other colouring matter; paints, varnishes; putty, other mastics; inks into these 15 headings. Drill down to the exact classification for your goods.

32.01 3 subheadings

Tanning extracts of vegetable origin; tannins and their salts, ethers, esters and other derivatives

32.02 2 subheadings

Tanning substances; synthetic organic or inorganic tanning substances; tanning preparations, whether or not containing natural tanning substances, enzymatic preparations for pre-tanning

32.03 1 subheadings

Colouring matter of vegetable or animal origin (including dyeing extracts, not animal black); whether or not chemically defined; preparations based on colouring matter of vegetable or animal origin

32.04 11 subheadings

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

32.05 1 subheadings

Colour lakes; preparations based on colour lakes as specified in note 3 to this chapter

32.06 7 subheadings

Colouring matter and preparations thereof n.e.c. in heading no. 3203, 3204, 3205; inorganic products, kind used as luminophores whether or not chemically defined

32.07 4 subheadings

Pigments, prepared; opacifiers, colours, vitrifiable enamels, glazes, engobes (slips), liquid lustres etc as used in the ceramic enamelling or glass industry; glass frit and powder, granules or flakes

32.08 3 subheadings

Paints, varnishes; (enamels and lacquers) based on synthetic polymers or chemically modified natural polymers, dispersed or dissolved in a non-aqueous medium

32.09 2 subheadings

Paints and varnishes (including enamels and lacquers) based on synthetic or chemically modified natural polymers, dispersed or dissolved in an aqueous medium

32.10 1 subheadings

Paints and varnishes (including enamels, lacquers and distempers), excluding those of heading no. 3209, prepared water pigments of a kind used for finishing leather

32.11 1 subheadings

Driers; prepared

32.12 2 subheadings

Pigments (metallic powders and flakes) dispersed in non-aqueous media in liquid or paste form, as used in manufacture of paints (including enamels); stamping foils, dyes etc in forms, packing for retail sale

32.13 2 subheadings

Colours; artists, students, or signboard painters, modifying tints, amusement colours and the like; in tablets, tubes, jars, bottles, pan or in similar forms or packings

32.14 2 subheadings

Glaziers' putty, grafting putty, resin cements, caulking compounds and other mastics; painters' fillings; non-refractory surfacing preparations for facades, indoor walls, floors, ceilings or the like

32.15 3 subheadings

Ink; printing, writing or drawing ink and other inks; whether or not concentrated or solid

Top destinations for Chapter 32 exports

India's largest buyers of goods in this HS chapter in 2024, ranked by export value.

#1 United Arab Emirates $1.16B
#2 USA $313.1M
#3 Bangladesh $269.8M
#4 Türkiye $198.7M
#5 China $187.2M

Chapter-level destination mix — your specific HS line may skew differently. Source: UN Comtrade, 2024.

Working out import duty for HS 32 into your market? See full duty context and India-vs-rivals comparisons in our India comparison guides and export resource hub.

Indian exporters in this category

Established export houses with relevant HS focus. Listings are compiled from public records — run your own due diligence.

Browse the full exporter directory →
Last updated 28 Jun 2026 Figures are indicative sourcing benchmarks compiled from exporter quotes, India trade-scheme notifications and public customs tariffs. Confirm live pricing and HS classification before contracting.
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