U.S. exports of Inks Other Than Printing Ink (HS 321590) totaled $9.2M in August 2026.
Importers of Inks Other Than Printing Ink paid $729K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 11.41% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: August 2026 dataDrawing inks and other non-printing inks — including writing inks, stamp-pad inks, and specialty marking fluids — split at the 10-digit level into drawing ink (3215901000) and all other inks not elsewhere specified (3215905000). Japan leads US import supply, with France and Costa Rica also notable sources. Drawing ink, traditionally used in technical drafting and fine-art illustration, is distinguished from writing or marking inks by its intended application and formulation for use with ruling pens or technical drawing instruments. The NESOI line (3215905000) captures a wide range of specialty inks, including those for stamp pads, stencils, and industrial marking, making precise product description on entry documentation important.
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261 import shipments a month
Drawing ink is specifically formulated for use with technical drawing instruments such as ruling pens, rapidographs, or drafting tools, and is typically characterized by high pigment concentration and waterproof properties. Writing ink, designed for ballpoint, fountain, or rollerball pens, would classify under 3215905000 (ink NESOI) rather than the drawing ink line. The intended instrument and application method are the primary classification criteria.
Costa Rica hosts manufacturing operations for several multinational pen and writing-instrument companies, and inks produced there for use in those products — such as ballpoint or rollerball ink refills — can enter US trade data under this heading. Its presence reflects regional manufacturing investment rather than a domestic ink-chemistry industry.
ImportsExports
Imports
$6.4MYoY · free account
Exports
$9.2MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $72.2M of Inks Other Than Printing Ink and exported $111.6M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
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Subheading 3 of 3 in heading 3215
Subheading 321590 · $9.2M of $61.5M
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Imports for consumption | Average duty rate | Dutiable Share | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3215905000 | Ink, NESOI | $5.9M | 11.44% | 95.94% | $679K |
| 3215901000 | Drawing Ink | $453K | 11.01% | 96.53% | $50K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 3215905000 | Ink, NESOI | $8.1M |
| 3215901000 | Drawing Ink | $1.1M |
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.
Exports · August 2026
destination
customs district
origin
entry
rate provision · imports
4.0% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 11.41% of imports for consumption.