Harmonized System
U.S. exports of carotenoid coloring matters and preparations based thereon (HS 320418) totaled $7.4M in August 2026.
Importers of Carotenoid Coloring Matters and Preparations Based Thereon paid $187K in duties in August 2026, an effective tariff rate of 7.65% of the $2.4M imported — duty actually collected as a share of that value, not the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: August 2026 dataBeta-carotene and other carotenoid coloring matters — classified entirely under a single 10-digit line (3204180000) — serve dual roles as food colorants and nutritional supplement ingredients, placing them at the intersection of FDA color additive regulation and dietary supplement oversight. Unlike purely synthetic azo or phthalocyanine dyes, carotenoids are often derived from natural sources or produced by fermentation and chemical synthesis, and their use in food or supplement applications requires compliance with FDA-approved color additive petitions or GRAS determinations. France and Germany are the leading suppliers to the US market, reflecting the presence of major life-science and specialty chemical manufacturers in those countries.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
42 shipments/mo
Yes. When used as a color additive in food, beta-carotene and other carotenoids must comply with FDA's color additive regulations, which specify permitted uses, levels, and labeling requirements. When imported as a dietary supplement ingredient or for pharmaceutical use, different FDA review pathways apply. Importers should clearly document the intended end-use to ensure the correct regulatory framework governs the shipment. Classification is complex; consult a licensed customs broker or FDA for admissibility guidance.
A preparation in which the carotenoid coloring matter imparts the essential character — for example, a beta-carotene suspension in vegetable oil used primarily as a colorant — generally remains in 320418. However, if the product is formulated primarily as a nutritional supplement or pharmaceutical, it may be more appropriately classified in Chapter 21 or Chapter 30. The intended use and the relative commercial significance of the carotenoid versus the carrier are key classification factors.
HSChapter 32
Subheading 4 of 11 in heading 3204
Subheading 320418 · $7.4M of $73.3M
Trade Directory
List your company under HS 320418 — Carotenoid Coloring Matters and Preparations Based Thereon, so the companies trading it can find you. Be the first supplier listed.
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % | Dutiable Share | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3204180000 | Beta-Carotene and Other Carotenoid Coloring Matter | $2.4M | 7.65% | 68.24% | $187K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 3204180000 | Beta-Carotene and Other Carotenoid Coloring Matter | $7.4M |
Import lines come from the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule and export lines from Schedule B. The two are numbered by different agencies, so the same 10-digit code can appear in both tables describing a different product.
ImportsExports
Imports
$2.4MYoY · free account
Exports
$7.4MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
YoY · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $25.8M of Carotenoid Coloring Matters and Preparations Based Thereon.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Exports · August 2026
destination
France and Brazil together take 98% of it.
customs district
origin
entry
rate provision · imports
31.8% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 7.65% of total import value.