Carmine Lake Pigment from China
Carmine lake is a bright red coloring matter derived from cochineal insects, precipitated onto an aluminum substrate to form a stable lake pigment. It falls under HTS 3205.00.40 as a color lake specified in additional U.S. note 3 to section VI, used in food, cosmetics, and artistic applications. This classification covers preparations based on such lakes for coloring materials.
Duty Rate — China → United States
41.5%
Rate breakdown
9903.03.0110%Except for products described in headings 9903.03.02–9903.03.11, articles the product of any country, as provided for in subdivision (aa) of U.S. note 2 to this subchapter
9903.88.0325%Except as provided in headings 9903.88.13, 9903.88.18, 9903.88.33, 9903.88.34, 9903.88.35, 9903.88.36, 9903.88.37, 9903.88.38, 9903.88.40, 9903.88.41, 9903.88.43, 9903.88.45, 9903.88.46, 9903.88.48, 9903.88.56, 9903.88.64, 9903.88.66, 9903.88.67, 9903.88.68, or 9903.88.69, articles the product of China, as provided for in U.S. note 20(e) to this subchapter and as provided for in the subheadings enumerated in U.S. note 20(f)
Import Tips
• Verify compliance with FDA color additive regulations for food/cosmetic use; provide certificates of analysis confirming lake composition
• Avoid misclassification as synthetic dyes under 3204