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

HS 3203 00 20Food colours other than synthetic

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 › 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%
Tariff rate
GST now
18%
or 5% for some goods
Import policy
Free
Export policy
Free
Unit
kg
Duty in China
6.5%
On Indian goods
Landed costSearch codesDuty abroadRates as on 19 Oct 2026

Importing into India

What customs charges, what trade agreements take off, and the rules the goods must meet.

Customs duty

Customs duty on imports into India
DutyRateCharged on
Basic customs duty (BCD), MFN rate7.5%Assessable value
Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess (AIDC)NilAssessable value11/2021-Customs, S.No. 17
Social Welfare Surcharge (SWS)10% of BCD, AIDC and Health CessBCD + AIDC
Integrated GST (IGST)18%Assessable value + BCD + AIDC + SWS

Lower duty under trade agreements

Lower customs duty under India's trade agreements
AgreementCustoms dutyGoods from
ASEAN–India FTA0%Brunei, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
Duty-free tariff preference for LDCs0%Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Benin, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Cambodia, Comoros, Laos, Liberia, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mali, Myanmar, Malawi, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Sudan, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Somalia, Chad, Togo, Timor-Leste, Tanzania, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia
India–Australia ECTA0%Australia
India–EFTA TEPA53/2025-Customs0%Iceland, Norway
India–Japan CEPA0%Japan
India–Korea CEPA0%South Korea
India–Malaysia CECA0%Malaysia
India–Sri Lanka FTA0%Sri Lanka
India–UAE CEPA0%United Arab Emirates
India–UK CETA29/2026-Customs0%United Kingdom
SAFTA0%Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal
SAPTA3.75%Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal
APTA4.5%Bangladesh, China, South Korea, Sri Lanka
SAFTA5%Sri Lanka
India–EFTA TEPA51/2025-Customs5.36%Switzerland, Liechtenstein

Goods from Pakistan pay 200%.

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.

Clearance by other agencies

  • Food Safety And Standards Authority Of India (FSSAI): a clearance or certificate before the goods arrive, under 1. Food safety and Standards Act,2006 read with Licensing & Registration Regulation,2011,Food safety & Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Business) Amendment Regulations,2011,Food safety and Standards Rule, 2011, Food Safety and Standards(Licensing and registration of Food Business) regulation, 2011, Food Safety and Standards(Food product standard and food additive)) regulation, 2011, Food Safety and Standards( Packaging and labelling) regulation, 2011, Food Safety and Standards(Laboratory and Sampling Analysis) regulation, 2011,Notification No-4/15015/30/2011 dated-24.06.2014.
  • Food Safety And Standards Authority Of India (FSSAI): a no-objection at customs clearance, under 1. Food safety and Standards Act,2006 read with Licensing & Registration Regulation,2011,Food safety & Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Business) Amendment Regulations,2011,Food safety and Standards Rule, 2011, Food Safety and Standards(Licensing and registration of Food Business) regulation, 2011, Food Safety and Standards(Food product standard and food additive)) regulation, 2011, Food Safety and Standards( Packaging and labelling) regulation, 2011, Food Safety and Standards(Laboratory and Sampling Analysis) regulation, 2011,Notification No-4/15015/30/2011 dated-24.06.2014.

Documents: FSSAI Import License (FSSAI).

"*In case of PGA facilitated bills I.E. which have not been routed through PGA for NOC,proper officer should verify and ensure that the mandatory documents-specimen copy of label[0110fs], FSSAI import license[911001]have been uploaded in (E-SANCHIT) before giving out-of-charge(OOC)**ensure compliance of general notes 4(d) of sched-i of ITC(HS) 2022 for food import entry points**Refer letter no.1828/misc matters/fssai/imports-2021 dated 17-06-2022 regarding rectifiable labeling information for imported food consignments and order no.1828/misc matters/fssai/imports-2021 dated 17-06-2022 regarding import of clove stem received from food safety and standards authority of india and CBIC instruction no.10/2022-customs dtd 28-06-2022 wherein para 2.(i). on the rectifiable labeling information for imported food consignments (a) in addtition to the labeling deficiencies for which a special dispensation for rectification has been provided under reg6 of FSS (import) regulations, 2017 and under order dated 22-05-2018 and 14-01-2019, the labeling information as per the requirement of FSS (labeling and display) regulations, 2020 as mentioned below may also be alowed to be rectified at the port:- . per serve percentage (%) contribution to recommended dietary allowance calculated on the basis of 2000 kcal energy, 67 g total fat, 22g saturated fat,2g trans fat, 50g, added sugar, and 2000 mg of sodium (5g salt) requirement for average adult per day;. date of expiry along with best before date, subject to the condition that this information is provided by the manufacturer itself and the same shall be verified by the authorised officer. (b) this rectification shall be carried out at customs bound warehouses before visual inspection or re-inspection by the authorised officer or his representative by affixing a single non-detachable sticker or by any other non-detachable method next to the principal display panel without altering the original label information in any manner. (ii) on import of clove stem:till such time standards for clove stem are notified, it may be considered for testing against safety parameters (horizontal standards) and volatile oil content on dry basis (half the value of clove, I.E. not less than 8.5 percent by v/w) as per fssr2.9.6(1) which is applicable for cloves whole.*Ref CBIC instruction no 09/23-CUS DT 07-03-23 in modification to instructions no 10/22-CUS DT 28-06-22 alongwith FSSAI order DT 18-11-22 issued under f.no.import/tfm/apex/2022-fssai and FSSAI clarification order dtd 18-11-22 on rectifiable labelling for imported food consignment*Ensure compliance of CBIC circular 23/2023-CUS DT 30-09-23 for mandatory additional qualifiers in import declarations for commodities under CH 28,29,32,39 and cth 3808 as stipulated in para 4.1 and 4.2 wef 15-10-23**"

From Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), Compliance Information Portal.

Import policy (DGFT ITC(HS))

  • Free.
Notes on these rates
  • BCD is the statutory tariff rate from a one-time snapshot of the Indian Trade Portal. Exemption notifications (such as 45/2025-Customs) and tariff changes made after the snapshot, including the Finance Act 2026 changes from 1 May 2026, are not applied.
  • IGST comes from our archived GST table, which still has the 12% and 28% slabs, so it may pre-date the GST rate changes of 22 September 2025. Check the current rate.
  • AIDC, Health Cess and the SWS exemptions are read from notifications 11/2021-Customs, 08/2020-Customs and 11/2018-Customs as amended (to 16/2026-Customs), and the notifications that lower AIDC for a while. SWS is 10% of BCD, AIDC and Health Cess together (Finance Act 2018, s.110), never of anti-dumping, countervailing or safeguard duty or IGST.
  • AIDC is Nil (S.No. 17 of 11/2021-Customs, which exempts all goods it does not name).
  • Not included: GST compensation cess, anti-dumping, countervailing and safeguard duties, and exemptions or concessions such as end-use, EOU/SEZ or project imports.
  • This does not check whether the import is allowed (DGFT import policy, licences, quality-control orders). The HS code explorer shows the import policy.
  • This is an estimate, not an assessment. Confirm the duty with your customs broker or ICEGATE's duty calculator before you price a deal.

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 incentives (RoDTEP and RoSCTL)

  • RoDTEP, Appendix 4R (exports from the domestic tariff area): 0.7% of the FOB value, until 31 Dec 2026.
  • RoDTEP, Appendix 4RE (exports under Advance Authorisation, EOU or SEZ): 0.4% of the FOB value, until 31 Dec 2026.

Clearance by other agencies

CBIC's Compliance Information Portal lists no other agency's clearance for exports of this item.

*AS PER CIR NO.47/2017-CUS DTD 27/11/2017 FOR THE PURPOSE OF GRANT OF DRAWBACK WHEREVER EXPORT CONSIGNMENTS ARE SELECTED FOR ASSESSMENT OR EXAMINATION, THE AC/DC SHALL DETERMINE THE NEED TO DRAW SAMPLE ON MERITS OF EACH CASE.IF THE PACKING IS OF WOODEN MATERIAL,ENSURE THE VALID PHYTOSANITARY CERTIFICATE AND ISPM-15 MARKING COMPLIANCE AS PER CBEC INSTR. F.NO.450/19/2005-CUS-IV DTD 16.9.13.*

From Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), Compliance Information Portal.

Export policy (DGFT ITC(HS) Schedule 2)

  • Free.

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

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.