Carmine Lake Pigment from China
Carmine lake is a bright red pigment derived from cochineal insects, precipitated onto an aluminum hydroxide base to form a stable color lake. It falls under HTS 3205.00.50.50 as a color lake preparation used in cosmetics, food coloring, and artists' paints. This classification covers synthetic organic coloring matter fixed on a substrate, excluding retail-packaged dyes.
Duty Rate — China → United States
44%
Rate breakdown
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)
9903.05.3112.5%Section 301 (forced labor) — additional 12.5% ad valorem on products of China
Import Tips
• Verify lake formation through lab analysis to confirm classification under heading 3205, as unfixed dyes may shift to 3204
• Provide Certificates of Analysis detailing substrate and colorant composition to avoid misclassification as Chapter 28 inorganics
• Ensure preparations are not dispersed in nonaqueous media, which could reclassify to heading 3212