U.S. imports of Inorganic Luminophores (HS 320650) totaled $552K in September 2026, imported from 12 countries.
Importers of Inorganic Luminophores paid $80K in duties in September 2026, an average duty rate of 14.45% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Inorganic Luminophores imports of $552K in September 2026 ran 58% above the year-to-date monthly average of $349K.
Last updated: September 2026 dataInorganic products used as luminophores — phosphorescent and fluorescent materials that absorb and re-emit light — classify under a single US tariff line, 3206500000, and are critical inputs for LED phosphors, fluorescent lamps, display screens, and security printing. Japan leads US supply, reflecting that country's deep integration in advanced lighting and display component manufacturing, with Portugal and Germany also significant sources. The heading is distinct from organic fluorescent brightening agents (Chapter 32 elsewhere) and from radioactive luminescent compounds, which are governed by NRC regulations.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
25 import shipments a month
Inorganic luminophores (3206500000) are mineral-based compounds — typically rare-earth-doped oxides, sulfides, or silicates — that emit light upon excitation. Organic fluorescent brightening agents are carbon-based compounds that absorb UV and re-emit visible light, and they classify under heading 3204. The chemical nature (inorganic vs. organic) is the primary classification criterion.
A technical data sheet confirming the product's luminescent function — including excitation and emission spectra — supports classification under 3206500000. If the product is a pure rare-earth compound without a demonstrated luminophore application, it may classify under Chapter 28 instead. CBP has issued rulings on this distinction, and a binding ruling is recommended for novel phosphor formulations.
ImportsExports
Imports
$552KYoY · free account
Exports
—YoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to September 2026, the U.S. imported $4.2M of Inorganic Luminophores.
Through September 2026 · exports 11 of 12 months reported. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Subheading 6 of 7 in heading 3206
Subheading 320650 · $552K of $96.4M
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3206500000 | Inorganic Products of A Kind Used As Luminophores | $352K | 14.24% | 100.00% | $50K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 3206500000 | Inorganic Products of A Kind Used As Luminophores | $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.
Imports · September 2026
origin
Portugal and Germany together supply 78% of it. China pays 43.6% duty; Portugal 10.0%.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
duty collected equals 14.45% of imports for consumption.
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