HTS heading 3209 · Chapter 32
HTS 3209: Paints and varnishes based on synthetic polymers or…
HTS heading 3209 covers paints and varnishes (including enamels and lacquers) based on synthetic polymers or chemically modified natural polymers, dispersed or dissolved in an aqueous medium. It has 4 tariff lines with a duty rate; the general (MFN) rates are 5.1% (1 line), 5.9% (1 line), 1.8% (1 line) and others.
Imports may also owe Chapter 99 tariffs (Section 232, 301 or 201) depending on origin and date, plus the Merchandise Processing Fee and, by sea, the Harbor Maintenance Fee.
Rates from the 2026 HTS Revision 22, effective October 30, 2026. Source: U.S. International Trade Commission.
Tariff lines and duty rates
| HTS code | Description | General | Special | Column 2 | Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3209.10.00.00 | Based on acrylic or vinyl polymers[liters, kg] | 5.1% | Free (A,AU,BH,CL,CO,D,E,IL,JO,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG) | 25% | Estimate → |
| 3209.90.00.00 | Other[liters, kg] | 5.9% | Free (A*,AU,BH,CL,CO,D,E,IL,JO,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG) | 15.4¢/kg + 46% | Estimate → |
| 3210.00.00.00 | Other paints and varnishes (including enamels, lacquers and distempers); prepared water pigments of a kind used for finishing leather[liters, kg] | 1.8% | Free (A,AU,BH,CL,CO,D,E,IL,JO,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG) | 25% | Estimate → |
| 3211.00.00.00 | Prepared driers[kg] | 3.7% | Free (A+,AU,BH,CL,CO,D,E,IL, JO,KR,MA,OM,P, PA,PE,S,SG) | 25% | Estimate → |
4 lines shown. Statistical suffixes (the last two digits) inherit the rate of the 8-digit subheading above them.
Example: base duty and fees on $10000
For HTS 3209.10.00.00 at the general rate of 5.1%, shipped by ocean, before any Chapter 99 tariffs:
| Base duty (5.1%) | $510.00 |
| Merchandise Processing Fee (0.3464%, min $34.58) | $34.64 |
| Harbor Maintenance Fee (0.125%) | $12.50 |
| Duty and fees | $557.14 |
Origin-specific tariffs can multiply this. Run this example from China or from Mexico to see every line.
Special program codes in this heading
- A, A*, A+
- Generalized System of Preferences (GSP)
- AU
- U.S.–Australia FTA
- BH
- U.S.–Bahrain FTA
- CL
- U.S.–Chile FTA
- CO
- U.S.–Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement
- D
- African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA)
- E, E*
- Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act
- IL
- U.S.–Israel FTA
- JO
- U.S.–Jordan FTA
- KR
- U.S.–Korea FTA (KORUS)
- MA
- U.S.–Morocco FTA
- OM
- U.S.–Oman FTA
- P, P+
- CAFTA-DR
- PA
- U.S.–Panama Trade Promotion Agreement
- PE
- U.S.–Peru Trade Promotion Agreement
- S, S+
- USMCA (United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement)
- SG
- U.S.–Singapore FTA
A special rate applies only when the goods qualify under that program's rules of origin and the claim is made at entry.