EU Combined Nomenclature · CN code · HS 3208.90
3208 90 19: Other paints and varnishes (non-aqueous): Solutions as defined in note 4 to this chapter: other
Other paints and varnishes (non-aqueous)
Not declarable on its own: use one of its 10 subdivisions Data: EU Combined Nomenclature, in force from 1 January 2026 · checked on 24 October 2026
- 3208 Paints and varnishes (including enamels and lacquers) based on synthetic polymers or chemically modified natural polymers, dispersed or dissolved in a non-aqueous medium; solutions as defined in note 4 to this chapter:
- 3208 90 Other:
- Solutions as defined in note 4 to this chapter:
- 3208 90 19 Other
What you pay
Importing into EU
Additional duties and import rules
Charges on top of the customs duty, and rules the goods must meet at the border.
Additional duties and charges 20
- Duty suspensionAirworthiness tariff suspension Free
- Applies to goods from
- all countries
- Legal act
- Regulation 1517/18
- Documents
- C119 Authorised Release Certificate — EASA Form 1 (Appendix I to Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 748/2012), or equivalent certificate
- Duty suspensionAutonomous tariff suspension Free
- Only for
- 3208 90 19 13 Mixture, containing by weight: - 20% or more but not more than 40% of a copolymer of methyl vinyl ether and monobutyl maleate (CAS RN 25119-68-0), - 7% or more but not more than 20% of a copolymer of methyl vinyl ether and monoethyl maleate (CAS RN 25087-06-3), - 40% or more, but not more than 65% of ethanol (CAS RN 64-17-5), - 1% or more but not more than 7% of butan-1-ol (CAS RN 71-36-3)
- Applies to goods from
- all countries except Belarus, Russia
- Legal act
- Regulation 2605/25
- Duty suspensionAutonomous tariff suspension Free
- Only for
- 3208 90 19 15 Chlorinated polyolefins, in a solution
- Applies to goods from
- all countries except Belarus, Russia
- Legal act
- Regulation 2605/25
- Duty suspensionSuspension - goods for certain categories of ships, boats and other vessels and for drilling or production platforms Free
- Only for
- 3208 90 19 15 Chlorinated polyolefins, in a solution
- Applies to goods from
- all countries
- Legal act
- Regulation 2658/87
- Documents
- C990 End use authorisation ships and platforms (Column 8c, Annex A of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446)
- Duty suspensionAutonomous tariff suspension Free
- Only for
- 3208 90 19 40 Polymer of methylsiloxane, in the form of a solution in a mixture of acetone, butanol, ethanol and isopropanol, containing by weight 5|% or more but not more than 11|% of polymer of methylsiloxane
- Applies to goods from
- all countries except Belarus, Russia
- Legal act
- Regulation 2605/25
- Duty suspensionSuspension - goods for certain categories of ships, boats and other vessels and for drilling or production platforms Free
- Only for
- 3208 90 19 40 Polymer of methylsiloxane, in the form of a solution in a mixture of acetone, butanol, ethanol and isopropanol, containing by weight 5|% or more but not more than 11|% of polymer of methylsiloxane
- Applies to goods from
- all countries
- Legal act
- Regulation 2658/87
- Documents
- C990 End use authorisation ships and platforms (Column 8c, Annex A of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446)
- Duty suspensionAutonomous tariff suspension Free
- Only for
- 3208 90 19 45 Polymer consisting of a polycondensate of formaldehyde and naphthalenediol, chemically modified by reaction with an alkyne halide, dissolved in propylene glycol methyl ether acetate
- Applies to goods from
- all countries except Belarus, Russia
- Legal act
- Regulation 2605/25
- Duty suspensionSuspension - goods for certain categories of ships, boats and other vessels and for drilling or production platforms Free
- Only for
- 3208 90 19 45 Polymer consisting of a polycondensate of formaldehyde and naphthalenediol, chemically modified by reaction with an alkyne halide, dissolved in propylene glycol methyl ether acetate
- Applies to goods from
- all countries
- Legal act
- Regulation 2658/87
- Documents
- C990 End use authorisation ships and platforms (Column 8c, Annex A of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446)
- Duty suspensionAutonomous tariff suspension Free
- Only for
- 3208 90 19 47 Solution containing by weight: -|0.1|% or more but not more than 20|% of| alkoxygroups containing siloxane polymer with alkyl or aryl substituents -|75|% or more of an organic solvent containing one or more of propyleneglycolethylether| (CAS RN 1569-02-4), propylene glycol mono methylether acetate (CAS RN 108-65-6)| or propyleneglycol propylether| (CAS RN 1569-01-3)
- Applies to goods from
- all countries except Belarus, Russia
- Legal act
- Regulation 2605/25
- Duty suspensionAutonomous tariff suspension Free
- Only for
- 3208 90 19 50 Solution containing by weight: - (63,5 ±10)% of gamma-butyrolactone (CAS RN 96-48-0), - (30 ± 10)% of aromatic polyhydroxyamide resin, - (3,5 ± 1,5)% of naphthoquinone ester derivative, - (1,5 ± 0,5)% of arylsilicic acid, - (1,5 ± 0,5)% of [3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]urea (CAS RN 23843-64-3)
- Applies to goods from
- all countries except Belarus, Russia
- Legal act
- Regulation 2605/25
- Duty suspensionSuspension - goods for certain categories of ships, boats and other vessels and for drilling or production platforms Free
- Only for
- 3208 90 19 50 Solution containing by weight: - (63,5 ±10)% of gamma-butyrolactone (CAS RN 96-48-0), - (30 ± 10)% of aromatic polyhydroxyamide resin, - (3,5 ± 1,5)% of naphthoquinone ester derivative, - (1,5 ± 0,5)% of arylsilicic acid, - (1,5 ± 0,5)% of [3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]urea (CAS RN 23843-64-3)
- Applies to goods from
- all countries
- Legal act
- Regulation 2658/87
- Documents
- C990 End use authorisation ships and platforms (Column 8c, Annex A of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446)
- Duty suspensionAutonomous tariff suspension Free
- Only for
- 3208 90 19 55 Preparation of 5 % or more but not more than 20 % by weight of a copolymer of propylene and maleic anhydride, or a blend of polypropylene and a copolymer of propylene and maleic anhydride, or a blend of polypropylene and a copolymer of propylene, isobutene and maleic anhydride in an organic solvent
- Applies to goods from
- all countries except Belarus, Russia
- Legal act
- Regulation 2605/25
- Duty suspensionAutonomous tariff suspension Free
- Only for
- 3208 90 19 60 Copolymer of hydroxystyrene with one or more of the following: - styrene - alkoxystyrene - alkylacrylates dissolved in ethyl lactate
- Applies to goods from
- all countries except Belarus, Russia
- Legal act
- Regulation 2605/25
- Duty suspensionSuspension - goods for certain categories of ships, boats and other vessels and for drilling or production platforms Free
- Only for
- 3208 90 19 60 Copolymer of hydroxystyrene with one or more of the following: - styrene - alkoxystyrene - alkylacrylates dissolved in ethyl lactate
- Applies to goods from
- all countries
- Legal act
- Regulation 2658/87
- Documents
- C990 End use authorisation ships and platforms (Column 8c, Annex A of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446)
- Duty suspensionAutonomous tariff suspension Free
- Only for
- 3208 90 19 65 Silicones containing 50 % by weight or more of xylene and not more than 25 % by weight of silica, of a kind used for the manufacture of long term surgical implants
- Applies to goods from
- all countries except Belarus, Russia
- Legal act
- Regulation 2605/25
- Duty suspensionSuspension - goods for certain categories of ships, boats and other vessels and for drilling or production platforms Free
- Only for
- 3208 90 19 65 Silicones containing 50 % by weight or more of xylene and not more than 25 % by weight of silica, of a kind used for the manufacture of long term surgical implants
- Applies to goods from
- all countries
- Legal act
- Regulation 2658/87
- Documents
- C990 End use authorisation ships and platforms (Column 8c, Annex A of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446)
- Duty suspensionSuspension - goods for certain categories of ships, boats and other vessels and for drilling or production platforms Free
- Only for
- 3208 90 19 90 Other
- Applies to goods from
- all countries
- Legal act
- Regulation 2658/87
- Documents
- C990 End use authorisation ships and platforms (Column 8c, Annex A of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446)
- Duty on low-value parcelsLow-value consignment customs duty 3 EUR
- Applies to goods from
- all countries
- In force
- until 31 October 2026
- Legal act
- Regulation 0382/26
- Duty on low-value parcelsLow-value consignment customs duty 3 EUR
- Applies to goods from
- all countries
- In force
- from 1 November 2026
- Legal act
- Regulation 0382/26
- Handling feeUnion handling fee 2 EUR
- Applies to goods from
- all countries
- In force
- from 1 November 2026
- Legal act
- Regulation 2108/26
- Documents
- Y126 Goods sold in distance sales
Import requirements 4
- Import controlImport control on ozone-depleting substances
- Applies to goods from
- all countries
- Legal act
- Regulation 0590/24
- Documents
- L100 Import licence " controlled substances" (ozone), issued by the Commission
- Y793 Products and equipment containing ozone-depleting substances or whose functioning relies upon those substances, imported/exported as personal effects (Article 5(2) Regulation (EU) 2024/590)
- Y792 Substances, products, equipment, other than those falling within the scope of Regulation (EU) 2024/590
- Y791 Exemption from prohibition for ozone-depleting substances to be used for essential laboratory and analytical uses (articles 8, 13.1(c) (import) and article 14.1(a) (export) of regulation (EU) 2024/590), and for products and equipment (articles 11.1 and 13.1(j) (import) and 14.1(g) (export) of regulation (EU) 2024/590)
- Y789 Exemption from prohibition for products and equipment containing halons or whose functioning relies upon halons (see articles 13.1(h) (import) and 14.1(f) (export) of Regulation (EU) 2024/590)
- Y790 Exemption from prohibition for ozone-depleting substances destined to destruction or reclamation (see articles 12, 13.1(d), 13.1(e) (import) of Regulation (EU) 2024/590), and for products and equipment (see articles 12, 13.1(i) (import) of Regulation (EU) 2024/590)
- Y797 Licensing system registration identification number as defined in Article 17.3 (a) of Regulation (EU) 2024/590
- Y798 Declaration of net mass of ozone-depleting substance(s), when included in products and equipment
- Y799 Net mass of the ozone-depleting substance multiplied by the ODP of the ozone-depleting substance(s), also when included in products and equipment
- Import controlImport control - Waste
- Applies to goods from
- all countries
- Legal act
- Regulation 1157/24
- Documents
- C672 Information document accompanying shipments of waste as mentioned in Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 – Article 18 and Annex VII
- C669 Notification document as mentioned in Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 - Article 5 and Annex IA
- Y923 Product not subjected to the provisions of Regulation (EU) 2024/1157
- C670 Movement document as mentioned in Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 – Article 5 and Annex IB
- Import control
- Applies to goods from
- Ukraine
- Legal act
- Regulation 0692/14
- Import control
- Applies to goods from
- Ukraine
- Legal act
- Regulation 0263/22
- Documents
- Y984 Goods not originating from or not destined for the non-government controlled areas of Ukraine in the oblasts of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia
- N954 Movement certificate EUR.1
- N864 Invoice declaration or origin declaration made out by any exporter on invoice or any other commercial document
TARIC subdivisions
Declare the 10-digit TARIC code that fits the goods: measures can differ between subdivisions.
| 3208 90 19 13 | Mixture, containing by weight: - 20% or more but not more than 40% of a copolymer of methyl vinyl ether and monobutyl maleate (CAS RN 25119-68-0), - 7% or more but not more than 20% of a copolymer of methyl vinyl ether and monoethyl maleate (CAS RN 25087-06-3), - 40% or more, but not more than 65% of ethanol (CAS RN 64-17-5), - 1% or more but not more than 7% of butan-1-ol (CAS RN 71-36-3) |
| 3208 90 19 15 | Chlorinated polyolefins, in a solution |
| 3208 90 19 40 | Polymer of methylsiloxane, in the form of a solution in a mixture of acetone, butanol, ethanol and isopropanol, containing by weight 5 % or more but not more than 11 % of polymer of methylsiloxane |
| 3208 90 19 45 | Polymer consisting of a polycondensate of formaldehyde and naphthalenediol, chemically modified by reaction with an alkyne halide, dissolved in propylene glycol methyl ether acetate |
| 3208 90 19 47 | Solution containing by weight: - 0.1 % or more but not more than 20 % of alkoxygroups containing siloxane polymer with alkyl or aryl substituents - 75 % or more of an organic solvent containing one or more of propyleneglycolethylether (CAS RN 1569-02-4), propylene glycol mono methylether acetate (CAS RN 108-65-6) or propyleneglycol propylether (CAS RN 1569-01-3) |
| 3208 90 19 50 | Solution containing by weight: - (63,5 ±10)% of gamma-butyrolactone (CAS RN 96-48-0), - (30 ± 10)% of aromatic polyhydroxyamide resin, - (3,5 ± 1,5)% of naphthoquinone ester derivative, - (1,5 ± 0,5)% of arylsilicic acid, - (1,5 ± 0,5)% of [3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]urea (CAS RN 23843-64-3) |
| 3208 90 19 55 | Preparation of 5 % or more but not more than 20 % by weight of a copolymer of propylene and maleic anhydride, or a blend of polypropylene and a copolymer of propylene and maleic anhydride, or a blend of polypropylene and a copolymer of propylene, isobutene and maleic anhydride in an organic solvent |
| 3208 90 19 60 | Copolymer of hydroxystyrene with one or more of the following: - styrene - alkoxystyrene - alkylacrylates dissolved in ethyl lactate |
| 3208 90 19 65 | Silicones containing 50 % by weight or more of xylene and not more than 25 % by weight of silica, of a kind used for the manufacture of long term surgical implants |
| 3208 90 19 90 | Other |
Export measures 5
Prohibitions, licences, controls and sanctions that apply when these goods leave the EU.
| Export measures | Destination | Legal act | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Export controlSanctions regime: Russia | Russia | Regulation 0833/14 | 26 June 2024 |
| Export controlSanctions regime: Belarus | Belarus | Regulation 0765/06 | 25 February 2025 |
| Export control on ozone-depleting substances | All third countries | Regulation 0590/24 | 11 March 2024 |
| Export control - Waste | Australia, Canada, Switzerland, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, United Kingdom, Israel, Iceland, Japan, South Korea, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Norway, New Zealand, Türkiye, United States | Regulation 1157/24 | 21 May 2026 |
| Export control - Waste | All third countries (except Australia, Canada, Switzerland, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, United Kingdom, Israel, Iceland, Japan, South Korea, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Norway, New Zealand, Türkiye, United States) | Regulation 1157/24 | 21 May 2026 |
TARIC data as of 24 October 2026
Import VAT in the EU member states
The rate each member state applies to goods of this code, from the Commission’s Taxes in Europe Database. A reduced rate can cover only part of the goods under a code: check the national VAT law.
-
Austria 20% -
Belgium 21% -
Bulgaria 20% -
Croatia 25% -
Cyprus 19% -
Czechia 21% -
Denmark 25% -
Estonia 24% -
Finland 25.5% -
France 20% -
Germany 19% -
Greece 24% -
Hungary 27% -
Ireland 23% -
Italy 22% -
Latvia 21% -
Lithuania 21% -
Luxembourg 17% -
Malta 18% -
Netherlands 21% -
Poland 23% -
Portugal 23% -
Romania 21% -
Slovakia 23% -
Slovenia 22% -
Spain 21% -
Sweden 25%
TEDB · 24 October 2026
Preferential rates by country
| Agreement or scheme | Countries | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| standard rate (no agreement) | — | 6.5% |
| GSP-EBA (Special arrangement for the least-developed countries - Everything But Arms) | Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin and 42 moreAfghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo - Kinshasa, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kiribati, Laos, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar (Burma), Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, São Tomé & Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia | Free |
| CARIFORUM | Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize and 10 moreAntigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago | Free |
| OCTs (Overseas Countries and Territories) | Antarctica, Aruba, Caribbean Netherlands, Curaçao and 8 moreAntarctica, Aruba, Caribbean Netherlands, Curaçao, French Polynesia, French Southern Territories, Greenland, New Caledonia, Sint Maarten, St Barthélemy, St Pierre & Miquelon, Wallis & Futuna | Free |
| GSP - General arrangements | Congo - Brazzaville, Cook Islands, India, Indonesia and 7 moreCongo - Brazzaville, Cook Islands, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Micronesia, Nigeria, Niue, Syria, Tajikistan, Vanuatu | Free |
| GSP+ (incentive arrangement for sustainable development and good governance) | Bolivia, Cape Verde, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia and 4 moreBolivia, Cape Verde, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan | Free |
| Central America | Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama | Free |
| SADC EPA | Botswana, Eswatini, Namibia | Free |
| EEA - European Economic Area | Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway | Free |
| Eastern and Southern Africa States | Mauritius, Seychelles, Zimbabwe | Free |
| EU–Andorra customs union | Andorra | Free |
| EU–Albania agreement | Albania | Free |
| EU–Bosnia & Herzegovina agreement | Bosnia & Herzegovina | Free |
| EU–Canada agreement | Canada | Free |
| EU–Switzerland agreement | Switzerland | Free |
| EU–Côte d’Ivoire agreement | Côte d’Ivoire | Free |
| EU–Chile agreement | Chile | Free |
| EU–Cameroon agreement | Cameroon | Free |
| EU–Colombia agreement | Colombia | Free |
| EU–Algeria agreement | Algeria | Free |
| EU–Ecuador agreement | Ecuador | Free |
| EU–Egypt agreement | Egypt | Free |
| Preferential origin in accordance with the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco on the amendment of Protocols 1 and 4 to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part. | Western Sahara | Free |
| EU–Fiji agreement | Fiji | Free |
| EU–Faroe Islands agreement | Faroe Islands | Free |
| EU–United Kingdom agreement | United Kingdom | Free |
| EU–Georgia agreement | Georgia | Free |
| EU–Ghana agreement | Ghana | Free |
| EU–Israel agreement | Israel | Free |
| EU–Jordan agreement | Jordan | Free |
| EU–Japan agreement | Japan | Free |
| EU–South Korea agreement | South Korea | Free |
| EU–Lebanon agreement | Lebanon | Free |
| EU–Morocco agreement | Morocco | Free |
| EU–Moldova agreement | Moldova | Free |
| EU–Montenegro agreement | Montenegro | Free |
| EU–North Macedonia agreement | North Macedonia | Free |
| EU–Mexico agreement | Mexico | Free |
| EU–New Zealand agreement | New Zealand | Free |
| EU–Peru agreement | Peru | Free |
| EU–Papua New Guinea agreement | Papua New Guinea | Free |
| EU–Palestinian Territories agreement | Palestinian Territories | Free |
| EU–Serbia agreement | Serbia | Free |
| EU–Singapore agreement | Singapore | Free |
| EU–San Marino customs union | San Marino | Free |
| EU–Tunisia agreement | Tunisia | Free |
| EU–Türkiye customs union | Türkiye | Free |
| EU–Ukraine agreement | Ukraine | Free |
| EU–United States agreement | United States | Free |
| EU–Vietnam agreement | Vietnam | Free |
| EU–Samoa agreement | Samoa | Free |
| EU–Kosovo agreement | Kosovo | Free |
| EU–South Africa agreement | South Africa | Free |
| Mercosur | Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay | 5.2% |
EU: imports by month · HS 3208.90
Main suppliers, last 12 months
| Country | Value | Share | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
 United Kingdom | €179.8m | 43.4% | +0.8% |
 United States | €78.4m | 18.9% | -4.4% |
 Switzerland | €51m | 12.3% | +1.9% |
 Türkiye | €41.1m | 9.9% | +4% |
 Japan | €18.3m | 4.4% | +6.1% |
 China | €10.9m | 2.6% | +14.3% |
 Norway | €5.8m | 1.4% | +16.9% |
 South Korea | €5.2m | 1.3% | +8% |
Same subheading in other tariffs
3208.90 Paints and varnishes: other
UK Free – 6% Third-country duty 14 tariff lines · average 5.1% Türkiye Free – 6.5% Third-country duty 12 tariff lines · average 5.4% USA 3.2% General (MFN) 1 tariff line 
Canada Free – 6.5% Third-country duty 4 tariff lines · average 4.9% 
Mexico Free Third-country duty 1 tariff line 
Brazil 12.6% Third-country duty 5 tariff lines 
Argentina 12.6% Third-country duty 21 tariff lines 
Peru 6% Third-country duty 1 tariff line 
New Zealand Free – 5% Third-country duty 11 tariff lines · average 3.6% Japan 3.2% Third-country duty 2 tariff lines 
Taiwan 5% – 6.5% Third-country duty 5 tariff lines · average 5.9% 
GCC 5% Third-country duty 5 tariff lines Switzerland Free Third-country duty 1 tariff line Norway Free Third-country duty 2 tariff lines 
North Macedonia 5% Third-country duty 5 tariff lines 
Nigeria 20% Third-country duty 4 tariff lines EU lines: 3208.90
- 3208 90 11Polyurethane of 2,2′-(tert-butylimino)diethanol and 4,4′-methylenedicyclohexyl diisocyanate, in the form of a solution in N,N-dimethylacetamide, containing by weight 48 % or more of polymer
- 3208 90 13Copolymer of p-cresol and divinylbenzene, in the form of a solution in N,N-dimethylacetamide, containing by weight 48 % or more of polymer
- 3208 90 19Solutions as defined in note 4 to this chapter: other
- 3208 90 91Based on synthetic polymers
- 3208 90 99Based on chemically modified natural polymers
Binding rulings for similar goods
Decisions of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CROSS) and HMRC (Advance Tariff Rulings) on goods classified here. A ruling binds only its holder, but shows how the authorities classify similar goods. The descriptions are the authorities’ own, in English.
Legal notes
Notes
1. This chapter does not cover:
(a) separate chemically defined elements or compounds (except those of heading 3203 or 3204, inorganic products of a kind used as luminophores (heading 3206), glass obtained from fused quartz or other fused silica in the forms provided for in heading 3207, and also dyes and other colouring matter put up in forms or packings for retail sale of heading 3212);
(b) tannates or other tannin derivatives of products of headings 2936 to 2939, 2941 or 3501 to 3504; or
(c) mastics of asphalt or other bituminous mastics (heading 2715).
2. Heading 3204 includes mixtures of stabilised diazonium salts and couplers for the production of azo dyes.
3. Headings 3203, 3204, 3205 and 3206 apply also to preparations based on colouring matter (including, in the case of heading 3206, colouring pigments of heading 2530 or Chapter 28, metal flakes and metal powders), of a kind used for colouring any material or used as ingredients in the manufacture of colouring preparations. The headings do not apply, however, to pigments dispersed in non-aqueous media, in liquid or paste form, of a kind used in the manufacture of paints, including enamels (heading 3212), or to other preparations of headings 3207, 3208, 3209, 3210, 3212, 3213 or 3215.
4. Heading 3208 includes solutions (other than collodions) consisting of any of the products specified in headings 3901 to 3913 in volatile organic solvents when the weight of the solvent exceeds 50 % of the weight of the solution.
5. The expression ‘colouring matter’ in this chapter does not include products of a kind used as extenders in oil paints, whether or not they are also suitable for colouring distempers.
6. The expression ‘stamping foils’ in heading 3212 applies only to thin sheets of a kind used for printing, for example, book covers or hat bands, and consisting of:
(a) metallic powder (including powder of precious metal) or pigment, agglomerated with glue, gelatin or other binder; or
(b) metal (including precious metal) or pigment, deposited on a supporting sheet of any material.
CN Explanatory Notes
The European Commission's explanatory notes on how to classify goods in these CN codes. They are not legally binding but customs authorities follow them; they complement the HS Explanatory Notes of the World Customs Organization.
General notes to the chapter
TANNING OR DYEING EXTRACTS; TANNINS AND THEIR DERIVATIVES; DYES, PIGMENTS AND OTHER COLOURING MATTER; PAINTS AND VARNISHES; PUTTY AND OTHER MASTICS; INKS
Note 4
The term ‘solutions’ used both in this note and in note 6(a) to Chapter 39 does not apply to colloidal solutions.
Explanatory Notes to the Combined Nomenclature of the European Union, Official Journal C (consolidated text and later amendments) · © European Union
This line in earlier years
The Combined Nomenclature of each year, as published in the Official Journal: description, third-country duty and supplementary unit.
| Year | Description | Third-country duty | Supplementary unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Other | 6.5% | — |
| 2025 | unchanged | 6.5% | — |
| 2024 | unchanged | 6.5% | — |
| 2023 | unchanged | 6.5% | — |
| 2022 | unchanged | 6.5% | — |
| 2021 | unchanged | 6.5% | — |
| 2020 | unchanged | 6.5% | — |
| 2019 | Other | 6.5% | — |
CN code 3208 90 19 is a line of the EU Combined Nomenclature under HS subheading 3208.90 (paints and varnishes: other).
The third-country duty is 6.5%, and quantities are declared in —.
149 countries pay no duty in the EU thanks to trade agreements and preference schemes such as GSP-EBA and CARIFORUM, against a standard rate of 6.5%.
Imports of other paints and varnishes (non-aqueous) (HS 3208.90) into the EU came to €414m between September 2025 and August 2026 (up 1% on the year before); United Kingdom supplied 43%, followed by United States.
For the same subheading, the UK duty is 0%–6%, the Türkiye duty is 0%–6.5%, the US duty is 3.2%, the Canada duty is 0%–6.5%, the Mexico duty is free, the Brazil duty is 12.6%, the Argentina duty is 12.6%, the Peru duty is 6%, the New Zealand duty is 0%–5%, the Japan duty is 3.2%, the Taiwan duty is 5%–6.5%, the GCC duty is 5%, the Switzerland duty is free, the Norway duty is free, the North Macedonia duty is 5% and the Nigeria duty is 20%.
EU member states imported goods of subheading 3208.90 worth US$3bn in 2024; the largest supplier from outside the EU was the United Kingdom, and the United Kingdom ranked 1st with US$218m.
Questions and answers
What is the EU import duty for CN code 3208 90 19?
The third-country duty in the EU Combined Nomenclature is 6.5%; the supplementary unit is —. Preferential rates for goods from agreement countries, anti-dumping duties and VAT are not included.
Which countries get a lower rate on 3208 90 19?
153 countries have a preferential rate on this line, 149 of them at 0%, under GSP-EBA, CARIFORUM and OCTs and other arrangements. The rate applies only to goods that meet the rules of origin of the agreement, with proof of origin. Choose the country of origin on this page to see its rate.
Where does the EU import these goods from?
For subheading 3208.90 as a whole, the largest supplier from outside the EU in 2024 was the United Kingdom (US$218m), followed by the United States.