HS Code:
The 'Colors in Sets' category, typically classified under HS Code 3213, encompasses artistic, student, or signboard painters' colors, modifying tints, amusement colors, and similar preparations in sets. This category includes products like watercolor sets, acrylic paint sets, and other color preparations used for educational, recreational, or professional artistic purposes. These products are widely traded globally due to their use in education, art, and design industries, with significant demand in both developed and emerging markets driven by cultural, educational, and creative sectors.
Total Trade Volume
USD 1.2 billion
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database
Average Rate
5.8%
Highest Rate
12% (applied by certain developing countries to protect local industries)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements like EU internal trade or USMCA)
Rising demand for eco-friendly and non-toxic color sets
Manufacturers are shifting towards sustainable materials and organic pigments, increasing production costs but also market appeal, especially in Europe and North America.
2021-2022
Growth in e-commerce sales of art supplies
Online platforms have boosted accessibility to color sets, benefiting exporters from China and South Korea with strong digital trade infrastructure.
2020-2022
Increased focus on educational tools in emerging markets
Countries in Asia and Africa are seeing higher imports for school supplies, driving trade volume growth for affordable color sets from China.
2019-2022
The European Union introduced stricter regulations on chemical content in color sets to ensure child safety, requiring manufacturers to reformulate products or face import bans.
June 2023
Increased compliance costs for exporters to the EU, potentially reducing profit margins but improving product safety perceptions.
A revised trade agreement reduced tariffs on certain art supplies, including colors in sets, exported from China to the US, boosting trade volumes.
March 2023
Chinese exporters gained a competitive edge in the US market, potentially increasing their market share.
South Korea announced a national program to enhance art education, leading to a surge in demand for student-grade color sets.
September 2022
South Korean imports of color sets rose by 15%, benefiting exporters from China and Germany.