U.S. imports of Synthetic Organic Pigments and Preparations Based Thereon (HS 320417) totaled $39.0M in August 2026, imported from 36 countries.
Importers of Synthetic Organic Pigments and Preparations Based Thereon paid $6.3M in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 15.98% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Synthetic Organic Pigments and Preparations Based Thereon imports of $39.0M in August 2026 ran 23% above the year-to-date monthly average of $31.8M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataSynthetic organic pigments are insoluble colorants dispersed — rather than dissolved — into substrates, serving the coatings, plastics, printing inks, and cosmetics industries with high tinting strength and durability. The US tariff schedule for this heading is exceptionally granular, enumerating dozens of named Colour Index designations including phthalocyanine blues (Pigment Blue 15, 15:1, 15:2, 15:3, 15:4, and 61), quinacridone violets, perylene reds, and azo yellows, as well as copper phthalocyanine not yet finished for use as a pigment (3204172000). India and Germany are the leading suppliers, with China also a significant source; certain lines may be subject to Section 301 tariffs depending on origin.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
1.1K import shipments a month
Copper phthalocyanine that has not been conditioned or finished for use as a pigment is classified under 3204172000, while the finished, ready-to-use alpha, beta, and epsilon crystal forms (Pigment Blue 15, 15:1, 15:2, 15:4) each have their own dedicated lines within the 3204176xxx series. The distinction turns on whether the product has undergone the milling, surface treatment, or crystal-phase conversion that makes it suitable for direct dispersion into an ink or coating vehicle.
A pigment preparation — where the pigment is pre-dispersed in a resin, wax, or other medium — may still classify within 320417 if the pigment imparts the essential character, but heavily resin-based masterbatches can shift classification to Chapter 39 (plastics). Importers should obtain supplier documentation specifying pigment content by weight and the nature of the carrier to support the correct heading determination.
Subheading 1 of 11 in heading 3204
Subheading 320417 · $39.0M of $66.0M
ImportsExports
Imports
$39.0MYoY · free account
Exports
$21.1MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $348.8M of Synthetic Organic Pigments and Preparations Based Thereon and exported $213.6M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 3204170000 | Pigments & Preparations Based Thereon | $21.1M |
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.
Trade Directory
List your company under HS 320417 — Synthetic Organic Pigments and Preparations Based Thereon, so the companies trading it can find you. Be the first supplier listed.
Imports · August 2026
origin
India and Germany together supply 55% of it. China pays 42.4% duty; Mexico 1.9%.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
11.3% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 15.98% of imports for consumption.