HS Code:
Printing ink (HS Code: 3215) encompasses a wide range of products used in various printing processes, including lithography, flexography, gravure, and digital printing. This category includes black printing ink, colored inks, and other specialized inks like UV-curable and water-based inks. Printing inks are critical in industries such as packaging, publishing, textiles, and commercial printing. The global trade of printing ink is influenced by the demand for sustainable and eco-friendly products, technological advancements in printing, and the growth of the packaging industry due to e-commerce.
Total Trade Volume
USD 20.5 billion
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database
USD 3.2 billion
15.6% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 2.8 billion
13.7% of total trade of total trade
Stable
USD 2.5 billion
12.2% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 2.1 billion
10.2% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 1.5 billion
7.3% of total trade of total trade
Stable
Average Rate
5.2%
Highest Rate
12% (imposed by certain developing countries to protect local industries)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements like EU-Japan EPA or USMCA)
Shift towards eco-friendly inks
Increased demand for water-based and bio-based inks due to environmental regulations and consumer preference for sustainable products.
2021-2023
Growth in digital printing
Rising adoption of digital printing technologies has boosted demand for specialized inks like UV-curable and inkjet inks.
2020-2022
Expansion of packaging industry
E-commerce growth has driven demand for printing inks in flexible packaging and labeling applications.
2019-2023
The European Union introduced stricter regulations on the chemical composition of printing inks, focusing on reducing VOC emissions and ensuring food-safe packaging inks.
January 2023
Manufacturers are investing in R&D for compliant products, potentially increasing production costs but opening markets for eco-friendly inks.
A new phase of the US-China trade agreement reduced tariffs on printing inks, facilitating smoother trade between the two largest economies.
March 2022
Increased export opportunities for Chinese manufacturers and lower costs for US importers.
A major Japanese firm announced a breakthrough in UV-curable inks, offering faster drying times and lower energy consumption for printers.
September 2022
Likely to boost adoption of UV inks in industrial printing, benefiting Japanese exporters.