Paints and varnishes (including enamels and lacquers) based on synthetic or chemically modified natural polymers, dispersed or dissolved in an aqueous medium

HS v2017 Code: 3209

Chapter	Heading	Sub-heading
32	09	n/a

Code	3209
Version	HS v2017
Hierarchy Level	4
Datasource	WCO
Chapter	32

Ancestor Codes: Tanning or dyeing extracts; tannins and their derivatives; dyes, pigments and other colouring matter; paints, varnishes; putty, other mastics; inks

This Code: Paints and varnishes (including enamels and lacquers) based on synthetic or chemically modified natural polymers, dispersed or dissolved in an aqueous medium

Child Codes: Paints and varnishes; based on acrylic or vinyl polymers, dispersed or dissolved in an aqueous medium; Paints and varnishes; (based on polymers other than acrylic or vinyl), dispersed or dissolved in an aqueous medium

Sibling Codes (Nearest 5): Colouring matter and preparations thereof n.e.c. in heading no. 3203, 3204, 3205; inorganic products, kind used as luminophores whether or not chemically defined; Pigments, prepared; opacifiers, colours, vitrifiable enamels, glazes, engobes (slips), liquid lustres etc as used in the ceramic enamelling or glass industry; glass frit and powder, granules or flakes; Paints, varnishes; (enamels and lacquers) based on synthetic polymers or chemically modified natural polymers, dispersed or dissolved in a non-aqueous medium; Paints and varnishes (including enamels, lacquers and distempers), excluding those of heading no. 3209, prepared water pigments of a kind used for finishing leather; Driers; prepared

About paints and varnishes (including enamels and lacquers) based on synthetic or chemically modified natural polymers, dispersed or dissolved in an aqueous medium

HS code 3209 covers a diverse range of paints, varnishes, enamels, and lacquers that are based on synthetic or chemically modified natural polymers and dispersed or dissolved in an aqueous medium. These water-based coatings play a crucial role in the construction, automotive, and furniture industries, providing protective and decorative finishes for a wide array of surfaces. As environmental regulations drive demand for more sustainable coating solutions, the 3209 industry has become an important part of the broader 3200 Paints, varnishes and similar coatings; putties and mastics sector.

Production process

The production of HS code 3209 coatings typically involves the dispersion or dissolution of synthetic or chemically modified natural polymers in an aqueous medium. This process may include the addition of pigments, fillers, and other additives to achieve the desired color, texture, and performance characteristics. Manufacturers often utilize advanced mixing and emulsification techniques to ensure a stable and homogeneous final product.

Production inputs

The main inputs for the 3209 industry include synthetic polymers such as acrylics, polyurethanes, and epoxies, as well as chemically modified natural polymers like cellulose derivatives. Pigments, solvents, and various additives such as thickeners, dispersants, and biocides are also essential components. Specialized production equipment, including high-speed dispersers, mills, and reactors, are required to manufacture these water-based coatings.

Production outputs

HS code 3209 coatings are primarily used as paints, varnishes, enamels, and lacquers in the construction, automotive, and furniture industries. These water-based coatings provide a durable, protective, and decorative finish for a wide range of surfaces, including wood, metal, and concrete. The output of the 3209 industry is often consumed by other 3200 Paints, varnishes and similar coatings; putties and mastics codes, as well as 3304 (Beauty or make-up preparations and preparations for the care of the skin (other than medicaments), including sunscreen or sun tan preparations; manicure or pedicure preparations) for specialty coatings.

Family tree for paints and varnishes (including enamels and lacquers) based on synthetic or chemically modified natural polymers, dispersed or dissolved in an aqueous medium

    graph LR
    A["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/32'>32: Tanning or dyeing extracts; tannins and their derivatives; dyes, pigments and other colouring matter; paints, varnishes; putty, other mastics; inks</a>"]
A --> B["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/3209'>3209: Paints and varnishes (including enamels and lacquers) based on synthetic or chemically modified natural polymers, dispersed or dissolved in an aqueous medium</a>"]

    A --> C["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/3201'>3201: Tanning extracts of vegetable origin; tannins and their salts, ethers, esters and other derivatives</a>"]
A --> D["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/3202'>3202: Tanning substances; synthetic organic or inorganic tanning substances; tanning preparations, whether or not containing natural tanning substances, enzymatic preparations for pre-tanning</a>"]
A --> E["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/3203'>3203: Colouring matter of vegetable or animal origin (including dyeing extracts, not animal black); whether or not chemically defined; preparations based on colouring matter of vegetable or animal origin</a>"]
A --> F["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/3204'>3204: Synthetic organic colouring matter and preparations based thereon; synthetic organic products used as fluorescent brightening agents or as luminophores; whether or not chemically defined</a>"]
A --> G["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/3205'>3205: Colour lakes; preparations based on colour lakes as specified in note 3 to this chapter</a>"]
A --> H["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/3206'>3206: Colouring matter and preparations thereof n.e.c. in heading no. 3203, 3204, 3205; inorganic products, kind used as luminophores whether or not chemically defined</a>"]
A --> I["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/3207'>3207: Pigments, prepared; opacifiers, colours, vitrifiable enamels, glazes, engobes (slips), liquid lustres etc as used in the ceramic enamelling or glass industry; glass frit and powder, granules or flakes</a>"]
A --> J["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/3208'>3208: Paints, varnishes; (enamels and lacquers) based on synthetic polymers or chemically modified natural polymers, dispersed or dissolved in a non-aqueous medium</a>"]
A --> K["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/3210'>3210: Paints and varnishes (including enamels, lacquers and distempers), excluding those of heading no. 3209, prepared water pigments of a kind used for finishing leather</a>"]
A --> L["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/3211'>3211: Driers; prepared</a>"]
A --> M["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/3212'>3212: Pigments (metallic powders and flakes) dispersed in non-aqueous media in liquid or paste form, as used in manufacture of paints (including enamels); stamping foils, dyes etc in forms, packing for retail sale</a>"]
A --> N["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/3213'>3213: Colours; artists, students, or signboard painters, modifying tints, amusement colours and the like; in tablets, tubes, jars, bottles, pan or in similar forms or packings</a>"]
A --> O["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/3214'>3214: Glaziers' putty, grafting putty, resin cements, caulking compounds and other mastics; painters' fillings; non-refractory surfacing preparations for facades, indoor walls, floors, ceilings or the like</a>"]
A --> P["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/3215'>3215: Ink; printing, writing or drawing ink and other inks; whether or not concentrated or solid</a>"]

    B --> Q["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/320910'>320910: Paints and varnishes; based on acrylic or vinyl polymers, dispersed or dissolved in an aqueous medium</a>"]
B --> R["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/320990'>320990: Paints and varnishes; (based on polymers other than acrylic or vinyl), dispersed or dissolved in an aqueous medium</a>"]


    %% Color coordination by level

    classDef level1 color:#000,fill:#a8f9ff,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px
    classDef level2 color:#000,fill:#e0a458,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef level3 color:#000,fill:#419d78,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef level4 color:#000,fill:#c04abc,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef level5 color:#000,fill:#f1c40f,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef level6 color:#000,fill:#f1c40f,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef highlight color:#000,fill:#fff,stroke:#000,stroke-width:5px



  %% Apply classes
  class A level2
class B level4
class C level4
class D level4
class E level4
class F level4
class G level4
class H level4
class I level4
class J level4
class K level4
class L level4
class M level4
class N level4
class O level4
class P level4
class Q level6
class R level6

  class B highlight

  %% class A level1
  %% class B,C level2
  %% class D,E,F,G,H,I level2
  %% class J,K,L,M,N,O,P level3
  %% class B highlight