U.S. exports of Black Printing Ink (HS 321511) totaled $16.9M in August 2026.
Importers of Black Printing Ink paid $1.2M in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 11.21% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Black Printing Ink imports of $11.0M in August 2026 ran 15% above the year-to-date monthly average of $9.6M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataBlack printing inks are among the most granularly subdivided chemical products in the US tariff schedule, with 10-digit lines distinguishing newsprint ink, flexographic, gravure, letterpress, and offset lithographic formulations, as well as solid-form inks engineered for specific printer cartridge formats (3215111000 for cartridge-compatible solid black inks under HTS 8443.31/32/39). Japan is the leading US import source, reflecting its dominance in precision ink chemistry for commercial and digital printing, with the United Kingdom and Germany also significant suppliers. The process-specific classification — flexographic vs. gravure vs. offset — is determined by the ink's rheological properties and intended press type, not simply its color. Importers should obtain technical data sheets confirming the printing process for which the ink is formulated.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
695 import shipments a month
Solid printing inks are those formulated in a solid physical state — typically sticks, pellets, or blocks — designed for use in specific printer mechanisms such as solid-ink printers classified under HTS 8443.31, 8443.32, or 8443.39. Liquid or paste-form inks, regardless of their printing process, classify under the corresponding liquid-form lines. The physical state and the printer type for which the ink is engineered are the determining factors.
When a black ink is marketed or technically suitable for more than one printing process, classification should follow the process for which it is primarily designed, as indicated by the manufacturer's technical specifications and labeling. If the primary use cannot be determined, GRI 3(c) and CBP binding ruling guidance should be consulted. Working with a licensed customs broker and obtaining a binding ruling from CBP is advisable for multi-use formulations.
Subheading 2 of 3 in heading 3215
Subheading 321511 · $16.9M of $61.5M
ImportsExports
Imports
$11.0MYoY · free account
Exports
$16.9MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $113.2M of Black Printing Ink and exported $215.5M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Exports · August 2026
destination
Canada and Malaysia together take 45% of it.
customs district
origin
entry
rate provision · imports
2.1% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 11.21% of imports for consumption.
Trade Directory
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3215119060 | Printing Ink, Black, NESOI | $7.1M | 11.31% | 97.94% | $808K |
| 3215111000 | Prntng Ink, Sld Black, Enginrd Shpes Sh8443.31/32/39 | $1.3M | 10.63% | 98.80% | $143K |
| 3215119050 | Printing Ink, Black, Offset Lithographic | $835K | 11.39% | 98.28% | $95K |
| 3215119040 | Printing Ink, Black, Letterpress | $328K | 11.32% | 100.00% | $37K |
| 3215113000 | Printing Ink, Solid Black, NESOI | $423K | 12.59% | 100.00% | $53K |
| 3215119020 | Printing Ink, Black, Flexographic | $224K | 7.86% | 71.05% | $18K |
| 3215119010 | Printing Ink, Black, News | $9K | 22.25% | 100.00% | $2K |
| 3215119030 | Printing Ink, Black, Gravure | $12K | 8.62% | 100.00% | $1K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
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.