Subheading · Chapter 32 · Section VI, Products of the chemical or allied industries
HS 3204 15Vat dyes (including those usable in that state as pigments) and preparations based thereon
Tanning or dyeing extracts; tannins and their derivatives; dyes, pigments and other colouring matter; paints and varnishes; putty and other mastics; inks › 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
- Customs duty
- 7.5%
- 42 tariff items
- GST now
- 18%
- or 5% for some goods
- Import policy
- Free
- Export policy
- Free
- Unit
- kg
- Duty in China
- 4.2%
- On Indian goods
Codes under this subheading
42 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 15 11 | Vat yellow 2 (GC) | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 15 12 | Vat yellow 4 (indathrene golden yellow GK) | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 15 19 | Other | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 15 21 | Vat oranges 3 (brill orange RK) | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 15 22 | Vat oranges 15 (golden orange 3G) | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 15 29 | Other | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 15 31 | Vat red (brill pink) | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 15 39 | Other | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 15 41 | Vat violet 1 (brill violet 2R) | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 15 42 | Vat violet 3 (magenta B) | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 15 49 | Other | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 15 51 | Vat blue 1 (synthetic indigo) | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 15 52 | Vat blue 4 | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 15 53 | Vat blue 5 (blue 2B) | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 15 54 | Vat blue 6 (blue BC) | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 15 55 | Vat blue 20 (dark blue 30) | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 15 56 | Vat blue 29 (indanthrene brill blue 4G) | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 15 57 | Vat blue 43 (carbazole blue) | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 15 58 | Reduced vat blues | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 15 59 | Other | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 15 61 | Vat green 1 (indanthrene brill green BFFB) | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 15 62 | Vat green 2 (indanthrene brill green GG) | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 15 63 | Vat green 4 (indanthrene brill green 3B) | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 15 64 | Vat green 9 (black BB) | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 15 69 | Other | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 15 71 | Vat brown 1 (brown BR) | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 15 72 | Vat brown 3 (brown RGR) | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 15 73 | Vat brown 5 (brown RRD,G) | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 15 79 | Other | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 15 81 | Vat black 9 (black RB) | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 15 82 | Vat black 25 (olive T) | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 15 83 | Vat back 27 (olive R) | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 15 84 | Vat black 29 (grey BG) | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 15 89 | Other | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 15 91 | Solubilised vat yellows | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 15 92 | Solubilised vat oranges | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 15 93 | Solubilised vat reds | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 15 94 | Solubilised vat violets | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 15 95 | Solubilised vat blues | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 15 96 | Solubilised vat greens | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 15 97 | Solubilised vat blacks | 7.5% | 18% | kg |
| 3204 15 99 | 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 42 tariff items: 7.5%. The rules below cover this whole code.
Anti-dumping, countervailing and safeguard duty in force
- 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: 42 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: 42 tariff items
What buyers pay abroad: import duty in the US, UK, EU and Australia for 3204 15, and China's below.
China: the same goods (3204 15)
China shares the first 6 digits with India and splits them into 10-digit codes of its own: 2 in force under 3204 15. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3204.15.10.00 | 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 |
- 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.
Every Chinese code in full
3204.15.10Synthetic indigo (reduced indigo)
3204.15.10.00Synthetic indigo合成靛蓝
- Unit
- kg
- MFN import duty
- 6.5%
- Provisional import duty
- None
- General import duty
- 35%
- Import VAT
- 13%
- Consumption tax
- 0%
- Export duty
- 0%
- Provisional export duty
- None
- Export VAT rebate
- 0%
- Updated by China
- 7 Sep 2026
Licences and certificates
- AInbound goods clearance (inspection and quarantine)入境货物通关单
Inspection and quarantine
- RImported food hygiene inspection进口食品卫生监督检验
What the customs declaration must state
- 0.Brand type品牌类型
- 1.Export preferential status出口享惠情况
- 2.Ingredient content成分含量
- 3.Use用途
- 4.Dyes, type to be specified (e.g. disperse, acid, basic dyes)染料须报明种类(分散染料、酸性染料、碱性染料等)
- 5.Packing specifications包装规格
- 6.Brand (Chinese or foreign names)品牌(中文或外文名称)
- 7.Model型号
- 8.GTIN
- 9.CAS
- 10.Other其他
China's agreement rates
- ASEAN
- 0%
- Chile
- 0%
- Pakistan
- 0%
- New Zealand
- 0%
- Peru
- 0%
- Costa Rica
- 0%
- Switzerland
- 0%
- Iceland
- 0%
- Australia
- 0%
- South Korea
- 0%
- Georgia
- 0%
- Mauritius
- 0%
- Maldives
- 0%
- Cambodia
- 0%
- Nicaragua
- 0%
- Ecuador
- 0%
- Serbia
- 0%
- Hong Kong
- 0%
- Macao
- 0%
- Asia-Pacific (APTA)
- 4.2%
RCEP rates
- Australia
- 0%
- Brunei
- 0%
- Cambodia
- 0%
- South Korea
- 3.3%
- Laos
- 0%
- Malaysia
- 0%
- New Zealand
- 0%
- Singapore
- 0%
- Thailand
- 0%
- Vietnam
- 0%
- Japan
- 3.5%
- Indonesia
- 0%
- Philippines
- 0%
- Myanmar
- 0%
CIQ codes
- 3204151000101Synthetic indigo (reduced indigo) (indigo (food additive without quarantine requirements))合成靛蓝(还原靛蓝)(靛蓝(无检疫要求食品添加剂))
- 3204151000102Synthetic indigo (reduced indigo) (indigo aluminium lake (food additive without quarantine requirements))合成靛蓝(还原靛蓝)(靛蓝铝色淀(无检疫要求食品添加剂))
- 3204151000103Synthetic indigo (vat indigo) (chemicals declared for industrial use only, not for food additives, no quarantine required)合成靛蓝(还原靛蓝)(需申报仅用于工业用途不用于食品添加剂无检疫要求的化学品)
3204.15.90Other vat dyes and preparations based thereon
3204.15.90.00Other vat dyes and preparations based thereon其他还原染料及以其为基本成分品
For use as pigments包括颜料用的
- Unit
- kg
- MFN import duty
- 6.5%
- Provisional import duty
- None
- General import duty
- 35%
- Import VAT
- 13%
- Consumption tax
- 0%
- Export duty
- 0%
- Provisional export duty
- None
- Export VAT rebate
- 0%
- Updated by China
- 7 Sep 2026
Licences and certificates
None.
Inspection and quarantine
None.
What the customs declaration must state
- 0.Brand type品牌类型
- 1.Export preferential status出口享惠情况
- 2.Ingredient content成分含量
- 3.Use用途
- 4.Dyes, type to be specified (e.g. disperse, acid, basic dyes)染料须报明种类(分散染料、酸性染料、碱性染料等)
- 5.Packing specifications包装规格
- 6.Brand (Chinese or foreign names)品牌(中文或外文名称)
- 7.Model型号
- 8.GTIN
- 9.CAS
- 10.Other其他
China's agreement rates
- ASEAN
- 0%
- Chile
- 0%
- Pakistan
- 0%
- New Zealand
- 0%
- Peru
- 0%
- Costa Rica
- 0%
- Switzerland
- 0%
- Iceland
- 0%
- Australia
- 0%
- South Korea
- 0%
- Georgia
- 0%
- Mauritius
- 0%
- Maldives
- 0%
- Cambodia
- 0%
- Nicaragua
- 0%
- Ecuador
- 0%
- Serbia
- 0%
- Hong Kong
- 0%
- Macao
- 0%
- Asia-Pacific (APTA)
- 4.2%
RCEP rates
- Australia
- 0%
- Brunei
- 0%
- Cambodia
- 0%
- South Korea
- 3.3%
- Laos
- 0%
- Malaysia
- 0%
- New Zealand
- 0%
- Singapore
- 0%
- Thailand
- 0%
- Vietnam
- 0%
- Japan
- 3.5%
- Indonesia
- 0%
- Philippines
- 0%
- Myanmar
- 0%
CIQ codes
- 3204159000301Other vat dyes and preparations based thereon (incl. those for use as pigments) (hazardous chemicals, not for use as food additives)其他还原染料及以其为基本成分品(包括颜料用的)(危险化学品,不用作食品添加剂)
- 3204159000302Other vat dyes and preparations based thereon (incl. those for use as pigments) (other chemical products, not for use as food additives)其他还原染料及以其为基本成分品(包括颜料用的)(其他化工品,不用作食品添加剂)
- 3204159000303Other vat dyes and preparations based thereon (including those for use as pigments) (other chemicals, used as food additives)其他还原染料及以其为基本成分品(包括颜料用的)(其他化工品,用作食品添加剂)
- 3204159000304Other vat dyes and preparations based thereon (including those for use as pigments) (dangerous chemicals, used as food additives)其他还原染料及以其为基本成分品(包括颜料用的)(危险化学品,用作食品添加剂)
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
Previous3204 14Direct dyes and preparations based thereonOne level up3204Synthetic 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 definedNext3204 16Reactive dyes and preparations based thereon
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.