Ink; printing, writing or drawing ink and other inks; whether or not concentrated or solid

HS v2017 Code: 3215

Chapter	Heading	Sub-heading
32	15	n/a

Code	3215
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: Ink; printing, writing or drawing ink and other inks; whether or not concentrated or solid

Child Codes: Ink; for printing, black, whether or not concentrated or solid; Ink; for printing, other than black, whether or not concentrated or solid; Ink; writing, drawing and other inks, n.e.c. in heading no. 3215, whether or not concentrated or solid

Sibling Codes (Nearest 5): Tanning extracts of vegetable origin; tannins and their salts, ethers, esters and other derivatives; Tanning substances; synthetic organic or inorganic tanning substances; tanning preparations, whether or not containing natural tanning substances, enzymatic preparations for pre-tanning; 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; Synthetic organic colouring matter and preparations based thereon; synthetic organic products used as fluorescent brightening agents or as luminophores; whether or not chemically defined; Colour lakes; preparations based on colour lakes as specified in note 3 to this chapter

About ink; printing, writing or drawing ink and other inks; whether or not concentrated or solid

HS code 3215 covers a diverse range of ink products, including printing, writing, and drawing inks, as well as other specialized inks. This industry plays a crucial role in the broader manufacturing and printing sectors, providing the essential materials needed for a wide array of applications, from commercial printing to artistic expression. The global ink market is a significant contributor to the overall economy, with a growing demand driven by factors such as the expansion of the packaging industry, the rise of digital printing, and the increasing popularity of customized printing solutions.

Production process

The production of inks covered under HS code 3215 typically involves a combination of blending, milling, and dispersion techniques. Manufacturers begin by sourcing and mixing the necessary raw materials, such as pigments, resins, solvents, and additives, to achieve the desired color, viscosity, and other properties. The mixture is then subjected to intensive milling or grinding to ensure a uniform and stable dispersion of the components. Depending on the specific ink type, additional steps may be involved, such as filtration, deaeration, or the addition of specialized chemicals to enhance performance characteristics.

Production inputs

The main inputs required for the production of inks under HS code 3215 include a variety of raw materials, such as 3204 Synthetic organic coloring matter, 3903 Polymers of styrene, in primary forms, 2902 Cyclic hydrocarbons, and 3824 Prepared binders for foundry moulds or cores; chemical products and preparations of the chemical or allied industries. Additionally, specialized machinery and equipment, such as high-speed dispersers, mills, and filtration systems, are essential for the efficient and consistent production of these ink products.

Production outputs

The primary outputs of the industry covered by HS code 3215 are diverse ink products, including printing inks, writing and drawing inks, and a range of other specialized inks. These inks are widely used in various industries, such as 4901 Printed books, brochures, leaflets and similar printed matter, 4902 Newspapers, journals and periodicals, whether or not illustrated or containing advertising material, 4903 Children's picture, drawing or colouring books, and 4908 (Transfers (decalcomanias)).

Family tree for ink; printing, writing or drawing ink and other inks; whether or not concentrated or solid

    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/v2017/3215'>3215: Ink; printing, writing or drawing ink and other inks; whether or not concentrated or solid</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/v2017/3209'>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 --> L["<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 --> M["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/3211'>3211: Driers; prepared</a>"]
A --> N["<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 --> O["<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 --> P["<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>"]

    B --> Q["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/321511'>321511: Ink; for printing, black, whether or not concentrated or solid</a>"]
B --> R["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/321519'>321519: Ink; for printing, other than black, whether or not concentrated or solid</a>"]
B --> S["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/321590'>321590: Ink; writing, drawing and other inks, n.e.c. in heading no. 3215, whether or not concentrated or solid</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 S 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