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HSChapter 32
U.S. imports of aqueous paints and varnishes, not elsewhere specified (HS 320990) totaled $21.7M in April 2026, traded with 37 countries.
Importers of Aqueous Paints and Varnishes, Not Elsewhere Specified paid $1.9M in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 15% on $12.8M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: April 2026 dataWater-borne coatings based on binder chemistries other than acrylic or vinyl polymers — including water-reducible alkyds, polyurethane dispersions, and epoxy emulsions — fall under this residual aqueous heading, entering on tariff line 3209900000. Canada dominates US supply, with Sweden a notable source reflecting Scandinavian leadership in waterborne alkyd and wood-coating technologies. The NESOI designation means classification here is valid only after ruling out the acrylic/vinyl aqueous line; importers should retain formulation documentation identifying the film-forming resin to support that determination.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
Heading 3209100000 is reserved for coatings based on acrylic or vinyl polymers. A polyurethane dispersion (PUD) uses polyurethane as the primary film-forming resin, which is neither acrylic nor vinyl, so it falls into the residual aqueous NESOI line at 3209900000. The resin identity — not the water-borne medium — is the distinguishing factor.
Sweden's position reflects its established industry in waterborne wood coatings and water-reducible alkyd systems, which are widely used in furniture finishing and architectural joinery. These formulations, based on modified alkyd or urethane-alkyd resins rather than acrylic polymers, naturally fall into the NESOI aqueous category rather than the acrylic/vinyl line.
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Monthly import values over time
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3209900000 | PAINTS & VARNISHES,IN AN AQUEOUS MEDIUM, NESOI | $21.7M | 15.07% | $1.9M |
PAINTS & VARNISHES,IN AN AQUEOUS MEDIUM, NESOI
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 3209900000 | PAINTS & VARNISHES,IN AN AQUEOUS MEDIUM, NESOI | $26.4M |
PAINTS & VARNISHES,IN AN AQUEOUS MEDIUM, NESOI
5.9M l
MASTICS; PAINTERS' FILLINGS
HS 321410
PIGMNTS/PREPS CONT =>80% TITANIUM DIOXIDE, DRY WT
HS 320611
PRINTING INK, OTHER THAN BLACK
HS 321519
COLORING MATTER OF VEGETABLE OR ANIMAL ORIGIN
HS 320300
PIGMENTS & PREPARATIONS BASED THEREON
HS 320417
PAINTS & VARNISHES,IN NONAQUEUS MEDIUM,NESOI
HS 320890
| State | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $3.2M | $3.7M | +$461K |
| Ohio | $1.2M | $5.1M | +$4.0M |
| North Carolina | $5.2M | $652K | -$4.5M |
| Port | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAREDO, TX | $3.2M | $9.0M | +$5.8M |
| DETROIT, MI | $5.2M | $944K | -$4.3M |
| CHARLESTON, SC | $5.4M | -- | -$5.4M |