What are colour lakes?

Colour lakes are pigments derived from dyes that are insoluble in water, often used in food, cosmetics, and textiles.

How do I know if my product qualifies as a colour lake?

If your product is a pigment derived from a dye and is insoluble in water, it likely qualifies as a colour lake under HS-4 3205.

Are there special regulations for importing colour lakes?

Yes, certain regulations may apply depending on the end use of the colour lakes, especially in food and cosmetics.

Can I use HS-4 3205 for mixed preparations?

No, HS-4 3205 specifically applies to colour lakes and their preparations as defined; mixed products may require different classifications.

What is the significance of note 3 in this chapter?

Note 3 specifies the criteria for what constitutes a preparation based on colour lakes, ensuring proper classification.

HS-4 · Heading

3205 — Colour lakes; preparations based on colour lakes as specified in note 3 to this chapter

Chapter 32: Tanning or dyeing extracts

Plain-language overview

Use HS-4 3205 when importing colour lakes or preparations based on colour lakes, like those used in cosmetics or food coloring. For example, if you're bringing in a shipment of red lake dye for food applications, this code applies.

When deciding between HS-6 320500, consider the specific nature of your product. If your shipment consists of pure colour lakes, it fits here. However, if your product includes other components or is mixed with solvents, you may need to look at different classifications.

The distinction within this heading is straightforward since there is only one subheading, 320500. This means all products that meet the criteria for colour lakes fall under this classification, simplifying the import process for these specific items.

Keywords & topics

Short phrases that describe this HS-4 heading when you're searching or filtering schedules.

colour lakes · preparations based on colour lakes · HS-4 3205 · import colour lakes · dye preparations · food coloring lakes · cosmetic dyes · textile colour lakes · ink colour preparations · HS-6 320500

Examples

Drawn from the official tariff wording for this HS-4 heading. Always confirm against your published schedule and legal notes.

Red lake dye used in food products
Blue lake pigment for cosmetics
Colour lakes for textile dyeing
Preparations based on colour lakes for inks
Dyes derived from natural sources classified as colour lakes

Common questions

How people often phrase their search when they're trying to classify goods like yours.

What are colour lakes in HS-4 3205?
How to classify colour lakes for import?
Are there regulations for importing colour lakes?
What products fall under HS-6 320500?
How to determine the right HS code for dye preparations?
What is the difference between colour lakes and other dyes?

Questions & answers

For orientation only—the binding text is your national tariff and the WCO nomenclature your country uses.

What are colour lakes?: Colour lakes are pigments derived from dyes that are insoluble in water, often used in food, cosmetics, and textiles.
How do I know if my product qualifies as a colour lake?: If your product is a pigment derived from a dye and is insoluble in water, it likely qualifies as a colour lake under HS-4 3205.
Are there special regulations for importing colour lakes?: Yes, certain regulations may apply depending on the end use of the colour lakes, especially in food and cosmetics.
Can I use HS-4 3205 for mixed preparations?: No, HS-4 3205 specifically applies to colour lakes and their preparations as defined; mixed products may require different classifications.
What is the significance of note 3 in this chapter?: Note 3 specifies the criteria for what constitutes a preparation based on colour lakes, ensuring proper classification.