Carmine Lake Pigment from Mexico
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 — Mexico → United States
16.5%
Rate breakdown
9903.05.5510%Except for products described in headings 9903.05.85–9903.05.92 and 9903.05.94, articles the product of Mexico, as provided for in U.S. note 52 to this subchapter
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