Heading · Chapter 32 · Section VI, Products of the chemical or allied industries
HS 3204Synthetic organic colouring matter, whether or not chemically defined, preparations as specified in note 3 to this chapter based on synthetic organic colouring matter, synthetic organic products of a kind used as fluorescent brightening agents or as luminophores, whether or not chemically defined
Tanning or dyeing extracts; tannins and their derivatives; dyes, pigments and other colouring matter; paints and varnishes; putty and other mastics; inks
- Customs duty
- 7.5% to 10%
- 243 tariff items
- GST now
- 18%
- or 5% for some goods
- Import policy
- Free
- Export policy
- Free
- Unit
- kg
- Duty in China
- 3% to 4.2%
- On Indian goods
Search codesRates as on 19 Oct 2026
Codes under this heading
11 codes. Duty and GST are set on the 8-digit tariff items; open the one that describes your goods.
| Code | Description | Customs duty | GST now | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3204 11 | Disperse dyes and preparations based thereon | 7.5% to 10% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 12 | Acid dyes, whether or not premetallised, and preparations based thereon;mordant dyes and preparations based thereon | 7.5% to 10% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 13 | Basic dyes and preparations based thereon | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 14 | Direct dyes and preparations based thereon | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 15 | Vat dyes (including those usable in that state as pigments) and preparations based thereon | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 16 | Reactive dyes and preparations based thereon | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 17 | Pigments and preparations based thereon | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 18 00 | Carotenoid colouring matters and preparations based thereon | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 19 | Other, including mixtures of colouring matter of two or more of the sub-headings 3204 11 to 3204 19 | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 20 | Synthetic organic products of a kind used as fluorescent brightening agents | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 90 00 | Other | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
Importing into India
Duty is set on each 8-digit tariff item: open one of the codes above. Basic customs duty across its 243 tariff items: 7.5% to 10%. The rules below cover this whole code.
Anti-dumping, countervailing and safeguard duty in force
- Anti-dumping duty on goods from China: USD 271–389 per tonne, by origin and producer (until 21 Oct 2029). Sulphur Black. 21/2024-ADD
- Anti-dumping duty on goods from China: USD 299–3,144 per tonne, by origin and producer (until 25 Feb 2027). Natural Mica based Pearl Industrial Pigments excluding cosmetic grade. 47/2021-ADD
- Anti-dumping duty on goods from China: USD 396.99–738.73 per tonne, by origin and producer (until 20 Dec 2026). Silicone Sealants excluding silicon sealants used in manufacturing of solar photovoltaic modules, and thermal power applications. 74/2021-ADD
Charged on top of the duty above, only on goods from the countries named.
Import policy (DGFT ITC(HS)) of its tariff items
- Free: 243 tariff items
GST
IGST on imports is the GST rate. Rates changed on 22 September 2025.
- Now 18%, or 5% for some goods.
- Until 21 September 2025 18%, or 5% for some goods.
- Change: Unchanged.
The rules that set it now
| Notification | Goods | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 9/2025-Integrated Tax (Rate)Schedule II, S.No. 46 | Synthetic organic colouring matter, whether or not chemically defined; preparations as specified in Note 3 to this Chapter based on synthetic organic colouring matter; synthetic organic products of a kind used as fluorescent brightening agents or as luminophores, whether or not chemically defined | 18% |
| 9/2025-Integrated Tax (Rate)Schedule I, S.No. 242 | Wattle extract, quebracho extract, chestnut extract | 5% |
History
| Period | Rate | Notification |
|---|---|---|
| Until 21 Sep 2025 | 5% or 18% | 1/2017-Central Tax (Rate) |
| From 22 Sep 2025 | 5% or 18% | 9/2025-Integrated Tax (Rate) |
Exporting from India
Export duty
Nil. The Second Schedule to the Customs Tariff Act does not list these goods, so no export duty is charged.
Duty drawback (All Industry Rates)
| Drawback item | Goods | Rate | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3204 | Synthetic organic colouring matter, whether or not chemically defined; prepara-tions as specified in Note 3 to this Chapter based on synthetic organic colouring matter; synthetic organic products of a kind used as fluorescent brightening agents or as luminophores, whether or not chemically defined | — | — |
| 320401 | AZO Black Dix (Acid Black) | 3.1% | Rs. 16 per Kg |
| 320402 | Reactive dyes | 3.5% | Rs. 27.1 per Kg |
| 320403 | Pigment violet | 3.5% | Rs. 142.3 per Kg |
| 320404 | Yellow 3 (Food colouring agent, Sunset Yellow) | 3.5% | Rs. 16.9 per Kg |
| 320405 | Sulphur black(Sulphur based colouring matter) | 2.7% | Rs. 8.2 per Kg |
| 320406 | Solvent black (Solvent based colouring matter) | 1.3% | — |
| 320407 | Optical brightener (Optical whitening agent) | 3.5% | Rs. 20.4 per Kg |
| 320499 | Others | 1.2% | — |
Drawback items follow the 4-digit heading, not the 8-digit code: claim the one that describes your goods. Rates of notification 77/2023-Customs (N.T.) as amended, in force on 19 Oct 2026.
Export policy (DGFT ITC(HS) Schedule 2) of its tariff items
- Free: 243 tariff items
China: the same goods (3204)
China shares the first 6 digits with India and splits them into 10-digit codes of its own: 16 in force and 2 expired under 3204. Exporters see what China charges Indian goods; importers see the rebate and licences their Chinese supplier deals with.
| China code | Goods | Duty on Indian goods | MFN | Import VAT | Export rebate | Licences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3204.11.00.00 | Disperse dyes and preparations based thereon, whether or not chemically defined分散染料及以其为基本成分的制品,不论是否有化学定义 | 4.2%APTA rate, with an APTA certificate of origin | 6.5% | 13% | 0% | ABRS |
| 3204.12.00.00 | Acid dyes and preparations based thereon; mordant dyes and preparations based thereon酸性染料及制品、媒染染料及制品 | 4.2%APTA rate, with an APTA certificate of origin | 6.5% | 13% | 0% | ABRS |
| 3204.13.00.00 | Basic dyes and preparations based thereon碱性染料及以其为基本成分的制品 | 4.2%APTA rate, with an APTA certificate of origin | 6.5% | 13% | 0% | ABRS |
| 3204.14.00.00 | Direct dyes and preparations based thereon直接染料及以其为基本成分的制品 | 4.2%APTA rate, with an APTA certificate of origin | 6.5% | 13% | 0% | ABRS |
| 3204.15.10.00 | Synthetic indigo合成靛蓝 | 4.2%APTA rate, with an APTA certificate of origin | 6.5% | 13% | 0% | AR |
| 3204.15.90.00 | Other vat dyes and preparations based thereon其他还原染料及以其为基本成分品 | 4.2%APTA rate, with an APTA certificate of origin | 6.5% | 13% | 0% | None |
| 3204.16.00.00 | Reactive dyes and preparations based thereon活性染料及以其为基本成分的制品 | 4.2%APTA rate, with an APTA certificate of origin | 6.5% | 13% | 0% | None |
| 3204.17.00.10 | Photoresist pigment dispersions for color photoresists彩色光刻胶用光刻胶颜料分散液 | 3%China's provisional rate, lower than MFN | 6.5% | 13% | 13% | None |
| 3204.17.00.20 | Phthalocyanine pigments酞菁类颜料 | 4.2%APTA rate, with an APTA certificate of origin | 6.5% | 13% | 13% | None |
| 3204.17.00.90 | Other pigments and preparations based thereon其他颜料及以其为基本成分的制品 | 4.2%APTA rate, with an APTA certificate of origin | 6.5% | 13% | 13% | None |
| 3204.19.11.00 | Sulphur black and preparations based thereon硫化黑及以其为基本成分的制品 | 4.2%APTA rate, with an APTA certificate of origin | 6.5% | 13% | 0% | None |
| 3204.19.19.00 | Other sulphur dyes and preparations based thereon其他硫化染料及以其为基本成分品 | 4.2%APTA rate, with an APTA certificate of origin | 6.5% | 13% | 0% | None |
| 3204.19.90.00 | Mixtures of other colouring matter其他着色料组成的混合物 | 4.2%APTA rate, with an APTA certificate of origin | 6.5% | 13% | 0% | ABRS |
| 3204.20.00.00 | Organic synthetic products used as fluorescent brightening agents用作荧光增白剂的有机合成产品 | 4.2%APTA rate, with an APTA certificate of origin | 6.5% | 13% | 13% | AM |
| 3204.90.10.00 | Biological staining reagents and dye indicators生物染色剂及染料指示剂 | 4.2%APTA rate, with an APTA certificate of origin | 6.5% | 13% | 0% | None |
| 3204.90.90.00 | Other organic synthetic products used as luminophores其他用作发光体的有机合成产品 | 4.2%APTA rate, with an APTA certificate of origin | 6.5% | 13% | 0% | None |
- India is a member of the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA). With an APTA certificate of origin, Indian goods pay China's APTA rate where the line has one; China applies the lower of that and its provisional rate.
- The export VAT rebate is what China refunds its own exporters. When China cuts it, Chinese export prices tend to rise.
China's tariff as compiled by HS编码网 from China Customs, the State Council Tariff Commission and the State Taxation Administration. The Chinese is the original.
Nearby codes
Previous3203Colouring matter of vegetable or animal origin (including dyeing extracts but excluding animal black), whether or not chemically defined; preparations as specified in note 3 to this chapter based on colouring matter of vegetable or animal originOne level upChapter 32Tanning or dyeing extracts; tannins and their derivatives; dyes, pigments and other colouring matter; paints and varnishes; putty and other mastics; inksNext3205Colour lakes; preparations as specified in note 3 to this chapter based on colour lakes
Sources
- GSTN HSN code masterChecked 13 Oct 2026
- DGFT ITC(HS) import and export policyChecked 9 Oct 2026
- GST rate per HSN (archived GSTZen extract)Checked 29 Sep 2026
- Customs Tariff of India (First Schedule): sections, chapters, notes and statutory BCDChecked 19 Oct 2026
- GST rates on goods, before and after 22 September 2025Checked 18 Oct 2026
- BIS compulsory certification: products and Quality Control OrdersChecked 18 Oct 2026
- Anti-dumping, countervailing and safeguard duties in force (India)Checked 19 Oct 2026
- India's export duty (Second Schedule to the Customs Tariff Act and notifications 27/2011, 55/2022, 22/2024)Checked 18 Oct 2026
- India's All Industry Rates of duty drawback (notification 77/2023-Customs (N.T.))Checked 19 Oct 2026
- China customs tariff (HS编码网)Checked 19 Oct 2026
For information, not a customs ruling. Only notifications published in the Gazette have legal force; confirm the duty with your customs broker or ICEGATE before you price a deal.