Water-Based Wall Paint / Emulsion — HS Code
Paints and varnishes based on acrylic or vinyl polymers, dispersed or dissolved in an aqueous medium
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HS Code
3209 — Paints and varnishes based on synthetic or natural polymers, dispersed in aqueous medium
Classification Context
Chapter
Chapter 32 — Tanning or dyeing extracts; dyes, pigments, paints, varnishes
Heading
3209 — Paints and varnishes based on synthetic or natural polymers, dispersed in aqueous medium
Applicable Rule
GRI 1 — acrylic emulsion paint is classified under 3209.10 as acrylic polymer-based paint
Prior Rulings
EU — EBTI (Binding Tariff Information)
Search EU EBTI databaseUS — CBP CROSS Ruling Database
Search US CBP CROSS rulingsUK — HMRC Trade Tariff
View UK Trade Tariff commodityClassification Notes
Water-based (latex/emulsion) wall paints with acrylic polymer binders are classified under 3209.10. Vinyl-based (PVA) emulsion paints are 3209.90. Solvent-based (oil-based) paints are 3208. Powder coatings are 3208.90. Artists' acrylic colours in tubes are 3212.90 (pigments and colourants put up for retail). The distinction between 3208 (solvent-based) and 3209 (water-based) is the dispersion medium, not the binder polymer. Anti-corrosion paints and marine paints are still 3208 or 3209 by the same test. Aerosol spray paints are the same classification with the aerosol can as a container.
MFN Duty Rates by Market
European Union
3209.10.00
EU Combined Nomenclature (CN) rate — applies to all 27 EU member states
United States
3209.10.00
US Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) MFN rate — Section 301 tariffs may add to China-origin goods
United Kingdom
3209.10.00
UK Global Tariff (UKGT) — post-Brexit tariff schedule, independent of EU CN
Official Sources & References
WCO HS Nomenclature
World Customs Organisation — the international standard behind all HS codes
wcoomd.org
EU TARIC Database
European Commission integrated tariff — EU Combined Nomenclature (CN) rates
ec.europa.eu
US HTS Schedule (USITC)
United States International Trade Commission — official US Harmonized Tariff Schedule
hts.usitc.gov
UK Global Tariff (HMRC)
His Majesty's Revenue and Customs — UK Trade Tariff post-Brexit
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk
Disclaimer: Duty rates shown are MFN (Most-Favoured-Nation) base rates sourced from live tariff database and verified April 2026. Actual duties may differ based on country of origin, applicable trade agreements (e.g. GSP, CETA, UK-EU TCA), anti-dumping measures, or changes to tariff schedules. Always verify with the official tariff database of the importing country before making customs declarations.
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