---
title: "3213 HSN Code | HSN Code for Artists’ colors and paints in India"
description: "Know more about 3213 HSN Code with BUSY Accounting - HSN Tariff, GST Rates and case laws related to chapter 3213 covering Artists’ colors and paints."
canonical: "https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-3213/"
---

# HSN Sub-chapter 3213: Artists’ colors and paints

Artists’, students’ or signboard painters’ colours,modifiying tints, amusement colours and the like,in tablets, tubes, jars, bottles, pans or in similar forms or packings

Part of [Chapter 32: Tanning or Dyeing Extracts; Dyes, Pigments and Other Colouring Matter](https://busy.in/hsn/chapter-32/).

- Current GST rate: 18%
- Earlier GST rate: 18%

## HSN codes

| Code | Title |
| --- | --- |
| 32131000 | [Colours in sets](https://busy.in/hsn/hsn-32131000/) |
| 32139000 | [Artists, Students & Signboard Painters Colours](https://busy.in/hsn/hsn-32139000/) |

## Frequently asked questions

### What products are classified under HSN 3213

It includes Artists’ colors and paints

### Can I claim ITC on inputs and services used for Artists’ colors and paints?

If your outward supply of Artists’ colors and paints is taxable, ITC is generally available (Sections 16–17) except blocked credits (e.g., personal use, motor vehicles in most cases). For exempt supplies, proportionate reversal is required under Rule 42/43.

### Can reverse charge ever apply to transactions involving Artists’ colors and paints?

Reverse charge in goods is notified only for specific categories. Most regular B2B sales of Artists’ colors and paints are forward charge. Check the current notifications for any special cases before deciding.

### What should my invoice and records include for Artists’ colors and paints?

Include HSN, exact description, pack size/grade, quantity, and if pre‑packaged & labelled. Maintain purchase specs, test reports (where relevant), and job‑work challans for audit trail.

### Any special steps when selling Artists’ colors and paints through an e‑commerce platform?

Ensure registration requirements are met and reconcile the operator’s TCS statements with your GSTR‑2B/3B. Map SKU descriptions to HSN to reduce mismatches and returns.

### What are the e‑way bill and e‑invoice points while moving Artists’ colors and paints?

Generate an e‑way bill when the consignment value exceeds ₹50,000, unless exempted for the transaction. E‑invoicing depends on turnover (AATO threshold as notified) for B2B supplies, not on the item itself.

## India's trade performance: HSN Sub-Chapter 3213 (FY 2024-25)

Source: TradeStat EIDB, Ministry of Commerce & Industry. Values in ₹ Crore (FY 2018-19 to FY 2024-25).

- Exports: ₹228 Cr (+3.25% YoY) — 0.0062% of India's total exports
- Imports: ₹36 Cr (+41.88% YoY) — 0.0006% of India's total imports
- Trade balance: ₹192 Cr (Surplus); surplus rank #333 of 1233 sub-chapters
- Share of Chapter 32: 0.76% of its exports; import side 0.15%
- Rank within Chapter 32: #11 of 15 by export value; import-side #15

### Key metrics

- Export CAGR: 10.20% (FY 2018-19 to FY 2024-25, 7 fiscal years)
- National export rank: #677 of 1233 sub-chapters by export value (FY 2024-25)
- Peak growth year: +25.42% in FY 2020-21
- Contribution to Ch. 32: 0.76% of its exports (FY 2024-25)

## India export-import trade statistics: HSN Sub-Chapter 3213

7-year export and import data, FY 2018-19 to FY 2024-25, in ₹ Crore. Source: Ministry of Commerce & Industry, TradeStat EIDB.

| FY | Exports (₹ Cr) | Exp share | Exp YoY | Exp % of Ch. 32 | Imports (₹ Cr) | Imp share | Imp YoY | Imp % of Ch. 32 | Trade balance | Exp rank |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| FY 2018-19 | 127.31 | 0.0055% | — | 0.55% | 19.50 | 0.0005% | — | 0.13% | +107.81 | #679 |
| FY 2019-20 | 134.47 | 0.0061% | +5.62% | 0.55% | 17.00 | 0.0005% | −12.82% | 0.12% | +117.47 | #666 |
| FY 2020-21 | 168.65 | 0.0078% | +25.42% | 0.74% | 18.99 | 0.0007% | +11.71% | 0.14% | +149.66 | #635 |
| FY 2021-22 | 184.18 | 0.0059% | +9.21% | 0.62% | 22.19 | 0.0005% | +16.85% | 0.11% | +161.99 | #677 |
| FY 2022-23 | 196.70 | 0.0054% | +6.80% | 0.74% | 35.79 | 0.0006% | +61.29% | 0.17% | +160.91 | #691 |
| FY 2023-24 | 220.77 | 0.0061% | +12.24% | 0.67% | 25.36 | 0.0005% | −29.14% | 0.08% | +195.41 | #676 |
| FY 2024-25 | 227.95 | 0.0062% | +3.25% | 0.76% | 35.98 | 0.0006% | +41.88% | 0.15% | +191.97 | #677 |

- CAGR (7-year): exports 10.20%/yr, imports 10.75%/yr (consistently Surplus)

## Key trade insights: HSN Sub-Chapter 3213 export-import analysis

### Consistent export growth: 10.20% CAGR over 7 years

India's exports under HSN Sub-Chapter 3213 have grown at a compound annual rate of 10.20% over 7 fiscal years, rising from ₹127.31 Crore in FY 2018-19 to ₹227.95 Crore in FY 2024-25.

### HSN Sub-Chapter 3213 ranked #677 among all 1233 sub-chapters by export value

In FY 2024-25, HSN Sub-Chapter 3213 ranks #677 out of 1233 sub-chapters by total export value. Within Chapter 32, it ranks #11 of 15. By trade surplus, it ranks #333 of 1233.

### FY 2020-21 was the strongest growth year for HSN Sub-Chapter 3213 exports

The strongest single-year export movement for HSN Sub-Chapter 3213 was recorded in FY 2020-21, when exports surged by 25.42% over the prior year.

### India maintains a trade surplus of ₹191.97 Crore in HSN Sub-Chapter 3213 goods

In FY 2024-25, India's exports of ₹227.95 Cr exceeded imports of ₹35.98 Cr, resulting in a trade surplus of ₹191.97 Crore — ranking #333 of 1233 by surplus magnitude.

### Import growth of 10.75% CAGR signals rising demand for Artists’ colors and paints

India's imports under HSN Sub-Chapter 3213 have grown at 10.75% CAGR, reaching ₹35.98 Crore in FY 2024-25.

### HSN Sub-Chapter 3213 contributes 0.76% of Chapter 32 exports — ranked #11

Among the 15 sub-chapters under Chapter 32, HSN Sub-Chapter 3213 ranks #11 by export value — accounting for 0.76% of the chapter's total exports in FY 2024-25. On the import side, it holds 0.15% share (rank #15).

## Related Sub-Chapters in Chapter 32

Ranked by export value (FY 2024-25).

| Rank | HSN Sub-Chapter | Exports (FY 2024-25) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| #1 | [HSN Sub-Chapter 3204: Synthetic organic colouring matter](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-3204/) | ₹20,454 Cr |
| #2 | [HSN Sub-Chapter 3215: Printing Ink, Writing Or Drawing Ink](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-3215/) | ₹3,338 Cr |
| #3 | [HSN Sub-Chapter 3206: Colouring matter for luminophores](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-3206/) | ₹2,389 Cr |
| #4 | [HSN Sub-Chapter 3208: Synthetic polymer paints & varnishes](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-3208/) | ₹841 Cr |
| #5 | [HSN Sub-Chapter 3205: Colour preparations](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-3205/) | ₹628 Cr |
| #6 | [HSN Sub-Chapter 3212: Pigments, Metallic Powders, Dyes](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-3212/) | ₹596 Cr |
| #7 | [HSN Sub-Chapter 3207: Prepared pigments & ceramic colours](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-3207/) | ₹400 Cr |
| #8 | [HSN Sub-Chapter 3202: Synthetic tanning substances](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-3202/) | ₹286 Cr |
| #9 | [HSN Sub-Chapter 3214: Putty and caulking compounds](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-3214/) | ₹277 Cr |
| #10 | [HSN Sub-Chapter 3203: Vegetable or animal dye extracts](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-3203/) | ₹237 Cr |
| #11 | HSN Sub-Chapter 3213: Artists’ colors and paints (this hsn sub-chapter) | ₹228 Cr |

## Other sub-chapters

| Code | Title |
| --- | --- |
| 3201 | [Tannins & extracts](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-3201/) |
| 3202 | [Synthetic tanning substances](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-3202/) |
| 3203 | [Vegetable or animal dye extracts](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-3203/) |
| 3204 | [Synthetic organic colouring matter](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-3204/) |
| 3205 | [Colour preparations](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-3205/) |
| 3206 | [Colouring matter for luminophores](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-3206/) |
| 3207 | [Prepared pigments & ceramic colours](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-3207/) |
| 3208 | [Synthetic polymer paints & varnishes](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-3208/) |
| 3209 | [Synthetic paints](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-3209/) |
| 3210 | [Paints & Varnishes](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-3210/) |
| 3211 | [Prepared driers](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-3211/) |
| 3212 | [Pigments, Metallic Powders, Dyes](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-3212/) |
| 3214 | [Putty and caulking compounds](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-3214/) |
| 3215 | [Printing Ink, Writing Or Drawing Ink](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-3215/) |