Carmine Lake Red Pigment

Carmine lake is a synthetic red color lake derived from cochineal carmine, precipitated onto an aluminum hydroxide substrate. It falls under HTS 3205.00.40.20 as a red color lake preparation specified in note 3 to chapter 32, used primarily in cosmetics, food, and pharmaceuticals for stable red coloring.

Import Duty Rates by Country of Origin

Origin CountryMFN RateCh.99 SurchargesTotal Effective Rate
🇨🇳China6.5%+35.0%41.5%
🇲🇽Mexico6.5%+10.0%16.5%
🇨🇦Canada6.5%+10.0%16.5%
🇩🇪Germany6.5%+10.0%16.5%
🇯🇵Japan6.5%+10.0%16.5%

Alternative Classifications

This product could be classified differently depending on its characteristics or intended use.

3204.11.50.00Same rate: 41.5%

If not a true lake but a dispersed dye preparation

Pure synthetic azo red dyes without substrate lake formation fall under basic dyes of heading 3204.

3212.90.00Lower: 38.1% vs 41.5%

If put up in retail packaging for end-use coloring

Dye preparations in forms for retail sale like tubes or jars shift to heading 3212, excluding chapter 32 industrial pigments.

3206.20.00Lower: 38.7% vs 41.5%

If for synthetic inorganic red pigments like iron oxide lakes

Inorganic red pigments (e.g., PR101 lake versions) classify under heading 3206 as synthetic pigments.

Not sure which classification is right?

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Import Tips & Compliance

Verify batch certificates confirming lake structure (dye on substrate) to avoid misclassification as synthetic organic dyes under 3204

Include stability and lightfastness test data in documentation for FDA or EU cosmetic compliance