Paints, varnishes; (enamels and lacquers) based on synthetic polymers or chemically modified natural polymers, dispersed or dissolved in a non-aqueous medium

HS v2022 Code: 3208

About paints, varnishes; (enamels and lacquers) based on synthetic polymers or chemically modified natural polymers, dispersed or dissolved in a non-aqueous medium

HS code 3208 covers a diverse range of paints, varnishes, enamels, and lacquers that are based on synthetic polymers or chemically modified natural polymers. These products are dispersed or dissolved in a non-aqueous medium, making them suitable for a wide variety of applications in industries such as construction, automotive, and furniture manufacturing. The global paints and coatings market, which includes the products under this HS code, is a significant contributor to the broader economy, valued at over $150 billion annually and expected to grow steadily in the coming years.

Production process

The production of the paints, varnishes, enamels, and lacquers covered under HS code 3208 typically involves several key steps. First, the synthetic or chemically modified natural polymers are combined with various solvents, resins, and additives to create the desired formulation. This mixture is then dispersed or dissolved in a non-aqueous medium, such as organic solvents or oils, to achieve the appropriate viscosity and application properties. The final products may undergo further processing, such as filtration, blending, or packaging, before being distributed to end-users.

Production inputs

The main inputs required for the production of HS code 3208 products include synthetic polymers, such as acrylics, polyesters, and polyurethanes, as well as chemically modified natural polymers like nitrocellulose. These polymers are combined with a variety of solvents, including hydrocarbons, alcohols, and esters, as well as resins, pigments, and other additives to achieve the desired properties. Specialized production equipment, such as mixing tanks, dispersers, and filtration systems, are also essential for the manufacturing process.

Production outputs

The paints, varnishes, enamels, and lacquers produced under HS code 3208 are used in a wide range of applications, including 3209 (Paints and varnishes (including enamels and lacquers) based on synthetic polymers or chemically modified natural polymers, dispersed or dissolved in an aqueous medium), 3210 (Other paints and varnishes (including enamels, lacquers and distempers); prepared water pigments of a kind used for finishing leather), and 3212 (Pigments (including metallic powders and flakes) dispersed in non-aqueous media, in liquid or paste form, of a kind used in the manufacture of paints (including enamels); stamping foils; dyes and other colouring matter put up in forms or packings for retail sale).

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

    graph LR
    A["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/32'>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/v2022/3208'>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 --> C["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/3201'>3201: Tanning extracts of vegetable origin; tannins and their salts, ethers, esters and other derivatives</a>"]
A --> D["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/3202'>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/v2022/3203'>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/v2022/3204'>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/v2022/3205'>3205: Colour lakes; preparations based on colour lakes as specified in note 3 to this chapter</a>"]
A --> H["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/3206'>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/v2022/3207'>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/v2022/3209'>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 --> K["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/3210'>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/v2022/3211'>3211: Driers; prepared</a>"]
A --> M["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/3212'>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/v2022/3213'>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/v2022/3214'>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/v2022/3215'>3215: Ink; printing, writing or drawing ink and other inks; whether or not concentrated or solid</a>"]

    B --> Q["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/320810'>320810: Paints and varnishes; based on polyesters, dispersed or dissolved in a non-aqueous medium</a>"]
B --> R["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/320820'>320820: Paints and varnishes; based on acrylic or vinyl polymers, dispersed or dissolved in a non-aqueous medium</a>"]
B --> S["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/320890'>320890: Paints and varnishes; based on polymers n.e.c. in heading no. 3208, dispersed or dissolved in a non-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 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