The HS code for ceramic frit and glaze is in heading 3207, which covers prepared pigments, opacifiers, colours, vitrifiable enamels, glazes, engobes, liquid lustres, glass frit and similar preparations. Frit is usually 3207.40, and glazes and engobes are usually 3207.20.
Countries add digits beyond six, so confirm the full code with your customs broker. The description on the invoice should match the product's real composition.
How is heading 3207 split?
The common subheadings that matter to ceramic buyers are:
- 3207.10 covers prepared pigments, opacifiers, colours and similar preparations.
- 3207.20 covers vitrifiable enamels and glazes, engobes and similar preparations.
- 3207.30 covers liquid lustres and similar preparations.
- 3207.40 covers glass frit and other glass in the form of powder, granules or flakes.
Frit is a glassy material produced by melting raw materials and cooling them quickly. See what ceramic frit is and types of frit made in Morbi for background.
How do you tell glaze, engobe and frit apart?
The words are often mixed up in trade. A frit is a raw ingredient, usually sold as granules or powder. A glaze is a prepared mixture applied to the tile surface, often containing frit, pigment and clay. An engobe is a coating applied under the glaze to hide the body colour. The guide to ceramic glazes and engobes explains each one.
Because a ready-to-use glaze may contain frit, the factory should state the product type on the invoice rather than use a vague trade name.
What about inks and raw materials?
Ceramic digital inks and printing pastes are separate products and may fall in a different heading from glazes. Ask the supplier for its classification and compare it with your broker's view.
Raw materials such as clay, feldspar and quartz are classified as minerals under their own headings, not under 3207. See ceramic raw materials from Gujarat.
What should the invoice and packing list say?
Describe the product type (frit, glaze or engobe), its form (powder, granules or slurry), the packaging, and the net and gross weight. Include a product data sheet. If the material is classified as hazardous, you may also need a safety data sheet and dangerous goods handling, so ask the supplier early and confirm with your broker.
Packing methods are covered in how frits and glazes are packed, and testing in tests for frits and glazes.
Why the code matters
The code decides duty, import permits and any chemical controls. Some countries regulate certain pigments or heavy metals, so check your national rules and ask your broker or the regulator what applies.
Documents should use the same description throughout. See the document pack your broker will ask for.
What if a product is a blend?
Many ceramic preparations are blends, such as a glaze with frit, pigment and clay. Customs look at the essential character of the product and its description in the tariff. If a product could fit two headings, ask your broker whether a ruling is available, and keep the supplier's technical data sheet with the file so you can show how the product is made and used.
Next step
We source ceramic raw materials at ingredient level, check samples and documents, and supervise production and loading. Book a free sourcing review to start.