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Subheading · Chapter 32 · Section VI, Products of the chemical or allied industries

HS 3203 00Colouring 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 origin

Tanning or dyeing extracts; tannins and their derivatives; dyes, pigments and other colouring matter; paints and varnishes; putty and other mastics; inks › Colouring 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 origin

Customs duty
7.5%
5 tariff items
GST now
18%
or 5% for some goods
Import policy
Free
Export policy
Free
Unit
kg
Duty in China
6.5%
On Indian goods
Search codesDuty abroadRates as on 19 Oct 2026

Codes under this subheading

5 codes. Duty and GST are set on the 8-digit tariff items; open the one that describes your goods.

Codes under this code
CodeDescriptionCustoms dutyGST nowUnit
3203 00 10Cutch (Catechu) extracts7.5%18%kg
3203 00 20Food colours other than synthetic7.5%18%kg
3203 00 30Lac-dye7.5%18%kg
3203 00 40Natural indigo7.5%18%kg
3203 00 90Other7.5%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 5 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: 5 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

GST rate rules in force
NotificationGoodsRate
9/2025-Integrated Tax (Rate)Schedule II, S.No. 45Colouring 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 origin18%
9/2025-Integrated Tax (Rate)Schedule I, S.No. 242Wattle extract, quebracho extract, chestnut extract5%

History

GST rate history
PeriodRateNotification
Until 21 Sep 20255% or 18%1/2017-Central Tax (Rate)
From 22 Sep 20255% 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)

All Industry Rates of duty drawback under this heading
Drawback itemGoodsRateCap
3203Colouring 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 origin1.2%—

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: 5 tariff items

What buyers pay abroad: import duty in the US, UK, EU and Australia for 3203 00, and China's below.

China: the same goods (3203 00)

China shares the first 6 digits with India and splits them into 10-digit codes of its own: 4 in force under 3203 00. Exporters see what China charges Indian goods; importers see the rebate and licences their Chinese supplier deals with.

China's tariff for these goods
China codeGoodsDuty on Indian goodsMFNImport VATExport rebateLicences
3203.00.11.00Natural indigo and preparations based thereon天然靛蓝及以其为基本成分的制品6.5%MFN rate (no APTA concession on this line)6.5%13%0%AR
3203.00.19.10Endangered colouring matter of vegetable origin and preparations thereof濒危植物质着色料及制品6.5%MFN rate (no APTA concession on this line)6.5%13%0%ABEFRS
3203.00.19.90Other colouring matter of vegetable origin and preparations thereof其他植物质着色料及制品6.5%MFN rate (no APTA concession on this line)6.5%13%13%ABRS
3203.00.20.00Colouring matter of animal origin and preparations thereof动物质着色料及制品6.5%MFN rate (no APTA concession on this line)6.5%13%13%AMR
  • 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

3203.00.11Natural indigo and preparations based thereon

3203.00.11.00Natural indigo and preparations based thereon天然靛蓝及以其为基本成分的制品
Unit
kg
MFN import duty
6.5%
Provisional import duty
None
General import duty
80%
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.Use用途
  • 3.Processing method加工工艺
  • 4.Packing specifications包装规格
  • 5.Brand (Chinese or foreign names)品牌(中文或外文名称)
  • 6.Model型号
  • 7.Ingredient content成分含量
  • 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
2.6%
Ecuador
2.6%
Serbia
0%
Hong Kong
0%
Macao
0%
RCEP rates
Australia
0%
Brunei
0%
Cambodia
0%
South Korea
0%
Laos
0%
Malaysia
0%
New Zealand
0%
Singapore
0%
Thailand
0%
Vietnam
0%
Japan
3.5%
Indonesia
0%
Philippines
0%
Myanmar
0%
CIQ codes
  • 3203001100301Natural indigo and preparations based thereon (food additives not requiring quarantine)天然靛蓝及以其为基本成分的制品(无检疫要求食品添加剂)
  • 3203001100302Natural indigo and preparations based thereon (chemicals declared for industrial use only, not for food additives, no quarantine required)天然靛蓝及以其为基本成分的制品(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)
  • 3203001100999Natural indigo and preparations based thereon天然靛蓝及以其为基本成分的制品

3203.00.19Other colouring matter of vegetable origin and preparations based thereon

3203.00.19.10Endangered colouring matter of vegetable origin and preparations thereof濒危植物质着色料及制品

Products based on vegetable colouring matter制品是指以植物质着色料为基本成分的

Unit
kg
MFN import duty
6.5%
Provisional import duty
None
General import duty
45%
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
  • BOutbound goods clearance (inspection and quarantine)出境货物通关单
  • EEndangered species export permit濒危物种允许出口证明书
  • FEndangered species import permit濒危物种允许进口证明书
Inspection and quarantine
  • RImported food hygiene inspection进口食品卫生监督检验
  • SExported food hygiene inspection出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.Use用途
  • 3.Processing method加工工艺
  • 4.Packing specifications包装规格
  • 5.Brand (Chinese or foreign names)品牌(中文或外文名称)
  • 6.Model型号
  • 7.Ingredient content成分含量
  • 8.GTIN
  • 9.CAS
  • 10.Other其他
China's agreement rates
ASEAN
0%
Chile
0%
Pakistan
4%
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
2.6%
Ecuador
2.6%
Serbia
2.6%
Hong Kong
0%
Macao
0%
RCEP rates
Australia
0%
Brunei
0%
Cambodia
0%
South Korea
0%
Laos
0%
Malaysia
0%
New Zealand
0%
Singapore
0%
Thailand
0%
Vietnam
0%
Japan
3.5%
Indonesia
0%
Philippines
0%
Myanmar
0%
CIQ codes
  • 3203001910101Colouring matter of endangered vegetable origin and preparations based thereon (preparations are those based on colouring matter of vegetable origin) (feed additives)濒危植物质着色料及制品(制品是指以植物质着色料为基本成分的)(饲料添加剂)
  • 3203001910302Endangered plant-based colouring matter and preparations (preparations refer to those based on plant-based colouring matter) (food additives without quarantine requirements)濒危植物质着色料及制品(制品是指以植物质着色料为基本成分的)(无检疫要求食品添加剂)
  • 3203001910303Endangered vegetable colouring matter and preparations thereof (preparations based on vegetable colouring matter) (chemicals declared for industrial use only, not for food additives, no quarantine required)濒危植物质着色料及制品(制品是指以植物质着色料为基本成分的)(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)
3203.00.19.90Other colouring matter of vegetable origin and preparations thereof其他植物质着色料及制品

Products based on vegetable colouring matter制品是指以植物质着色料为基本成分的

Unit
kg
MFN import duty
6.5%
Provisional import duty
None
General import duty
45%
Import VAT
13%
Consumption tax
0%
Export duty
0%
Provisional export duty
None
Export VAT rebate
13%
Updated by China
23 Aug 2026
Licences and certificates
  • AInbound goods clearance (inspection and quarantine)入境货物通关单
  • BOutbound goods clearance (inspection and quarantine)出境货物通关单
Inspection and quarantine
  • RImported food hygiene inspection进口食品卫生监督检验
  • SExported food hygiene inspection出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.Use用途
  • 3.Processing method加工工艺
  • 4.Packing specifications包装规格
  • 5.Brand (Chinese or foreign names)品牌(中文或外文名称)
  • 6.Model型号
  • 7.Ingredient content成分含量
  • 8.GTIN
  • 9.CAS
  • 10.Other其他
China's agreement rates
ASEAN
0%
Chile
0%
Pakistan
4%
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
2.6%
Ecuador
2.6%
Serbia
2.6%
Hong Kong
0%
Macao
0%
RCEP rates
Australia
0%
Brunei
0%
Cambodia
0%
South Korea
0%
Laos
0%
Malaysia
0%
New Zealand
0%
Singapore
0%
Thailand
0%
Vietnam
0%
Japan
3.5%
Indonesia
0%
Philippines
0%
Myanmar
0%
CIQ codes
  • 3203001990101Other coloring matter of vegetable origin and preparations (preparations based on vegetable coloring matter) (feed additives)其他植物质着色料及制品(制品是指以植物质着色料为基本成分的)(饲料添加剂)
  • 3203001990102Other coloring matter of vegetable origin & preparations thereof (preparations are those based on coloring matter of vegetable origin) (solid beverages containing lutein ester)其他植物质着色料及制品其他植物质着色料及制品(制品是指以植物质着色料为基本成分的)(含叶黄素酯的固体饮料)
  • 3203001990301Other colouring matter of vegetable origin and preparations (preparations are those based on colouring matter of vegetable origin) (dangerous chemicals, not for use as food additives)其他植物质着色料及制品(制品是指以植物质着色料为基本成分的)(危险化学品,不用作食品添加剂)
  • 3203001990302Other colouring matter of vegetable origin and preparations (preparations based on colouring matter of vegetable origin) (food additives not subject to quarantine)其他植物质着色料及制品(制品是指以植物质着色料为基本成分的)(无检疫要求食品添加剂)
  • 3203001990303Other vegetable colouring matter and preparations (preparations refer to those based on vegetable colouring matter) (chemicals declared for industrial use only, not for food additives, no quarantine requirements)其他植物质着色料及制品(制品是指以植物质着色料为基本成分的)(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)

3203.00.20Colouring matter of animal origin and preparations based thereon

3203.00.20.00Colouring matter of animal origin and preparations thereof动物质着色料及制品

Products based on animal colouring matter制品是指以动物质着色料为基本成分的

Unit
kg
MFN import duty
6.5%
Provisional import duty
None
General import duty
50%
Import VAT
13%
Consumption tax
0%
Export duty
0%
Provisional export duty
None
Export VAT rebate
13%
Updated by China
23 Aug 2026
Licences and certificates
  • AInbound goods clearance (inspection and quarantine)入境货物通关单
Inspection and quarantine
  • MImport commodity inspection进口商品检验
  • 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.Use用途
  • 3.Processing method加工工艺
  • 4.Packing specifications包装规格
  • 5.Brand (Chinese or foreign names)品牌(中文或外文名称)
  • 6.Model型号
  • 7.Ingredient content成分含量
  • 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
2.6%
Ecuador
2.6%
Serbia
0%
Hong Kong
0%
Macao
0%
RCEP rates
Australia
0%
Brunei
0%
Cambodia
0%
South Korea
0%
Laos
0%
Malaysia
0%
New Zealand
0%
Singapore
0%
Thailand
0%
Vietnam
0%
Japan
3.5%
Indonesia
0%
Philippines
0%
Myanmar
0%
CIQ codes
  • 3203002000302Colouring matter of animal origin and preparations based thereon (preparations based on colouring matter of animal origin) (food additives not subject to quarantine)动物质着色料及制品(制品是指以动物质着色料为基本成分的)(无检疫要求食品添加剂)
  • 3203002000303Colouring matter of animal origin and preparations based thereon (preparations are those based on colouring matter of animal origin) (chemicals declared for industrial use only, not for food additives, no quarantine required)动物质着色料及制品(制品是指以动物质着色料为基本成分的)(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)

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

Previous3202 90OtherOne level up3203Colouring 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 originNext3204 11Disperse dyes and preparations based thereon

Sources

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.