HS Code:
Dry plates, classified under HS Code 3701, refer to photographic plates and film in the flat, sensitized, unexposed state, typically used in photography, printing, and other industrial applications. This category includes products made of materials like glass or plastic that are coated with light-sensitive emulsions. These products are primarily utilized in professional photography, graphic arts, and specialized industrial processes such as PCB (printed circuit board) manufacturing. The global trade of dry plates has seen a decline in recent years due to the rise of digital imaging technologies, though niche markets and specific industrial applications sustain demand.
Total Trade Volume
USD 150 million
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database
USD 45 million
30% of total trade of total trade
Stable
USD 30 million
20% of total trade of total trade
Decreasing
USD 25 million
17% of total trade of total trade
Stable
USD 20 million
13% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 15 million
10% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
Average Rate
5.2%
Highest Rate
12% (applied by certain developing countries)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements such as EU-Japan EPA)
Shift to Digital Imaging
Significant reduction in demand for traditional dry plates as digital photography and imaging technologies dominate consumer and professional markets.
2018-2022
Growth in Niche Industrial Applications
Sustained demand in specific sectors such as electronics manufacturing (e.g., PCB production) and archival photography, driving innovation in specialized dry plate products.
2020-2022
Sustainability Concerns
Increasing pressure to develop eco-friendly dry plates with reduced chemical waste, influencing production processes and trade regulations.
2021-2023
A leading Japanese manufacturer unveiled a new line of dry plates with biodegradable emulsions, aligning with global sustainability goals.
March 2023
Expected to increase Japan's market share in environmentally conscious markets, potentially raising export volumes by 5-10%.
The European Union introduced new regulations limiting the use of certain hazardous chemicals in photographic plates, affecting imports from non-compliant countries.
January 2023
Non-EU exporters, particularly from developing nations, may face reduced market access unless they adapt to the new standards.
Escalating trade tensions led to an increase in US tariffs on Chinese-made dry plates, prompting a shift in supply chains towards other Asian countries like South Korea.
October 2022
Redistribution of trade flows, with South Korea and Japan gaining a larger share of the US market.