Chapter 32 covers tanning materials, dyes, pigments, paints, varnishes, putty, inks, etc. This chapter includes coloring substances obtained from natural raw materials or chemical synthesis, as well as products used for surface treatment of textiles, leather, paper, etc. Stamping foil, as a transfer printing medium, has a coloring layer that belongs to pigment products, so it is classified in this chapter. Heading 3212 includes pigments, dyes, and colorants used in the manufacture of printing ink, as well as stamping foil, marking foil, etc. Stamping foil transfers patterns by hot pressing, and its coloring layer is composed of pigments, resins, and metal powders, etc., which conforms to the heading description. First 2 digits 32 = Chapter 32 (tanning materials, dyes, pigments, paints, etc.); digits 3-4 12 = Heading 3212 (pigments for making ink, stamping foil, etc.); digits 5-6 10 = Subheading 321210 (stamping foil). This subheading specifically refers to foil used for hot stamping and stamping, usually composed of a carrier film and a transferable coating. The core function of stamping foil is thermal transfer coloring, and its coating contains pigments, resins, and metal powders, which conforms to the 'stamping foil' description of 3212. It is not classified under 3211 (ink) because it is a solid foil; not under 7607 (aluminum foil) because the surface has a functional coating; not under 3919 (plastic film) because the main value lies in the coloring layer.
Chapter
Chapter 32 covers tanning materials, dyes, pigments, paints, varnishes, putty, inks, etc. This chapter includes coloring substances obtained from natural raw materials or chemical synthesis, as well as products used for surface treatment of textiles, leather, paper, etc. Stamping foil, as a transfer printing medium, has a coloring layer that belongs to pigment products, so it is classified in this chapter.
Heading
Heading 3212 includes pigments, dyes, and colorants used in the manufacture of printing ink, as well as stamping foil, marking foil, etc. Stamping foil transfers patterns by hot pressing, and its coloring layer is composed of pigments, resins, and metal powders, etc., which conforms to the heading description.
Digit Breakdown
First 2 digits 32 = Chapter 32 (tanning materials, dyes, pigments, paints, etc.); digits 3-4 12 = Heading 3212 (pigments for making ink, stamping foil, etc.); digits 5-6 10 = Subheading 321210 (stamping foil). This subheading specifically refers to foil used for hot stamping and stamping, usually composed of a carrier film and a transferable coating.
Classification Basis
The core function of stamping foil is thermal transfer coloring, and its coating contains pigments, resins, and metal powders, which conforms to the 'stamping foil' description of 3212. It is not classified under 3211 (ink) because it is a solid foil; not under 7607 (aluminum foil) because the surface has a functional coating; not under 3919 (plastic film) because the main value lies in the coloring layer.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: Declare the commodity name, which should be specific such as 'hot stamping foil', 'laser stamping foil', etc., and avoid being too general. Material: Explain the carrier film material (such as PET) and coating components (such as pigments, resins, metal powders). Specifications and dimensions: Declare width, length, thickness, etc., such as 'width 640mm, length 120m, thickness 12μm'. Use: Clearly state that it is used for hot stamping and stamping, such as 'used for hot stamping decoration on paper and plastic'. Brand or model: Declare the brand and model; if no brand, fill in 'no brand'; model such as 'K-100'. Processing technology: Briefly describe the production process, such as 'coating, vacuum aluminum plating, slitting'. Whether in rolls: State whether it is in roll or sheet form, which affects the completeness of declaration elements. Product name: hot stamping foil; Material: PET carrier film, coating contains pigments, resins, aluminum powder; Specifications: width 640mm, length 120m, thickness 12μm; Use: used for hot stamping decoration on paper; Brand: XX brand; Model: K-100; Processing technology: coating, vacuum aluminum plating, slitting; Whether in rolls: in rolls. Mistakenly classifying stamping foil under 3211 ink, ignoring its solid foil form. Not distinguishing the carrier film from the coating, leading to false material declaration. Declaring the use as 'packaging', which is easily classified under other plastic products.
Product name
Declare the commodity name, which should be specific such as 'hot stamping foil', 'laser stamping foil', etc., and avoid being too general.
⚠️ Writing only 'foil' or 'anodized aluminum', without reflecting the stamping function.
Material
Explain the carrier film material (such as PET) and coating components (such as pigments, resins, metal powders).
⚠️ Writing only 'plastic', without distinguishing the carrier from the coating.
Specifications and dimensions
Declare width, length, thickness, etc., such as 'width 640mm, length 120m, thickness 12μm'.
⚠️ Omitting thickness or width, which affects classification.
Use
Clearly state that it is used for hot stamping and stamping, such as 'used for hot stamping decoration on paper and plastic'.
⚠️ Writing 'for packaging', which is easily misclassified under other codes.
Brand or model
Declare the brand and model; if no brand, fill in 'no brand'; model such as 'K-100'.
⚠️ Confusing brand with model, or omitting the entry.
Processing technology
Briefly describe the production process, such as 'coating, vacuum aluminum plating, slitting'.
⚠️ Too brief to determine whether it contains a metal layer.
Whether in rolls
State whether it is in roll or sheet form, which affects the completeness of declaration elements.
⚠️ Not stating the form, leading to inspection doubts.
Example： Product name: hot stamping foil; Material: PET carrier film, coating contains pigments, resins, aluminum powder; Specifications: width 640mm, length 120m, thickness 12μm; Use: used for hot stamping decoration on paper; Brand: XX brand; Model: K-100; Processing technology: coating, vacuum aluminum plating, slitting; Whether in rolls: in rolls.
Common Mistakes：
Mistakenly classifying stamping foil under 3211 ink, ignoring its solid foil form.
Not distinguishing the carrier film from the coating, leading to false material declaration.
Declaring the use as 'packaging', which is easily classified under other plastic products.
🎯 Classification Logic
Classification basis: Stamping foil is a foil with a transferable coloring layer that transfers patterns to a substrate by hot pressing. Its core feature is the 'stamping' function, and the coating contains pigments, resins, etc., which conforms to heading 3212 and subheading 321210. According to General Rules of Interpretation 1 and 6, it should be classified under 321210. 3211 Printing ink: Ink is liquid or paste-like and used for printing; stamping foil is a solid foil transferred by heat; the two differ in form and use. 7607 Aluminum foil: Aluminum foil is a pure metal sheet without a coloring coating; the aluminum layer of stamping foil serves only as a reflective layer, and the whole contains resin and pigments. 3919 Self-adhesive plastic film: Self-adhesive film adheres by adhesive, while stamping foil transfers by heat, and the coating components are different. 4908 Transfer decal paper: Transfer paper transfers patterns by water or heat, but the carrier is paper, while the carrier of stamping foil is plastic film, and the classification is different. Is the stamping or hot stamping use clearly stated? Is the carrier a plastic film? Does the coating contain pigments or metal powders? Is it in rolls or sheets? Is it distinguished from ink and pure aluminum foil?
Basis
Classification basis: Stamping foil is a foil with a transferable coloring layer that transfers patterns to a substrate by hot pressing. Its core feature is the 'stamping' function, and the coating contains pigments, resins, etc., which conforms to heading 3212 and subheading 321210. According to General Rules of Interpretation 1 and 6, it should be classified under 321210.
Confused Codes：
3211 - Printing ink
Ink is liquid or paste-like and used for printing; stamping foil is a solid foil transferred by heat; the two differ in form and use.
7607 - Aluminum foil
Aluminum foil is a pure metal sheet without a coloring coating; the aluminum layer of stamping foil serves only as a reflective layer, and the whole contains resin and pigments.
3919 - Self-adhesive plastic film
Self-adhesive film adheres by adhesive, while stamping foil transfers by heat, and the coating components are different.
4908 - Transfer decal paper
Transfer paper transfers patterns by water or heat, but the carrier is paper, while the carrier of stamping foil is plastic film, and the classification is different.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the stamping or hot stamping use clearly stated?
✓ Is the carrier a plastic film?
✓ Does the coating contain pigments or metal powders?
✓ Is it in rolls or sheets?
✓ Is it distinguished from ink and pure aluminum foil?
❓ FAQ
Are stamping foil and hot stamping paper the same thing? Is the HS code the same? Hot stamping paper is a common name for stamping foil, usually referring to foil used for hot stamping. If its carrier is plastic film and the coating contains pigments and resins, it is classified under 321210. However, if it is pure metal foil without coating, it may be classified under 7607. It needs to be determined based on material and process. How to inquire about the import tax rate for stamping foil? Tax rates change, so it is recommended to check through the General Administration of Customs website, single window, or professional databases. Enter HS code 321210 and the country of origin to obtain the MFN rate, VAT, etc. You can also consult a customs broker. When declaring stamping foil, how should the material column be written to avoid rejection? The carrier material and coating components should be stated separately, such as 'PET film, coating contains pigments, resins, aluminum powder'. Avoid writing only 'plastic' or 'aluminum foil', otherwise it may be rejected due to unclear classification. Does stamping foil have regulatory conditions? Does it require commodity inspection? Usually there are no special regulatory conditions, but it may involve import and export commodity inspection. The specific situation needs to be judged based on use and composition; if it contains hazardous substances, an MSDS may be required. It is recommended to check the latest Import and Export Tariff or consult customs. What should be noted when declaring stamping foil for cross-border e-commerce sales? The product name, material, and use must be accurately declared to avoid misclassification. Small parcel exports can go through cross-border e-commerce channels, but detailed declaration information is required. For bulk exports, it is recommended to declare under general trade to ensure correct classification. Are the HS codes for stamping foil and transfer decal paper easily confused? They are easily confused. Transfer decal paper is classified under 4908, with paper as the carrier, transferred by water or heat; stamping foil has a plastic film carrier and is classified under 321210. The key difference lies in the carrier material and transfer method. If stamping foil is used for textiles, will the code change? No. The HS code is based on the properties of the commodity itself, not the final use. As long as the commodity is stamping foil, whether used for paper, plastic, or textiles, it is classified under 321210. However, if it is combined with textiles into a finished product, it is classified according to the finished product. In the declaration elements of stamping foil, is 'processing technology' mandatory? It is recommended to fill it in. Processing technology helps customs determine the commodity attributes, such as whether it contains a metal layer, whether it is coated, etc. If missing, it may trigger inspection or classification disputes. A simple description such as 'coating, aluminum plating, slitting' is sufficient.
Q: Are stamping foil and hot stamping paper the same thing? Is the HS code the same?
A: Hot stamping paper is a common name for stamping foil, usually referring to foil used for hot stamping. If its carrier is plastic film and the coating contains pigments and resins, it is classified under 321210. However, if it is pure metal foil without coating, it may be classified under 7607. It needs to be determined based on material and process.
Q: How to inquire about the import tax rate for stamping foil?
A: Tax rates change, so it is recommended to check through the General Administration of Customs website, single window, or professional databases. Enter HS code 321210 and the country of origin to obtain the MFN rate, VAT, etc. You can also consult a customs broker.
Q: When declaring stamping foil, how should the material column be written to avoid rejection?
A: The carrier material and coating components should be stated separately, such as 'PET film, coating contains pigments, resins, aluminum powder'. Avoid writing only 'plastic' or 'aluminum foil', otherwise it may be rejected due to unclear classification.
Q: Does stamping foil have regulatory conditions? Does it require commodity inspection?
A: Usually there are no special regulatory conditions, but it may involve import and export commodity inspection. The specific situation needs to be judged based on use and composition; if it contains hazardous substances, an MSDS may be required. It is recommended to check the latest Import and Export Tariff or consult customs.
Q: What should be noted when declaring stamping foil for cross-border e-commerce sales?
A: The product name, material, and use must be accurately declared to avoid misclassification. Small parcel exports can go through cross-border e-commerce channels, but detailed declaration information is required. For bulk exports, it is recommended to declare under general trade to ensure correct classification.
Q: Are the HS codes for stamping foil and transfer decal paper easily confused?
A: They are easily confused. Transfer decal paper is classified under 4908, with paper as the carrier, transferred by water or heat; stamping foil has a plastic film carrier and is classified under 321210. The key difference lies in the carrier material and transfer method.
Q: If stamping foil is used for textiles, will the code change?
A: No. The HS code is based on the properties of the commodity itself, not the final use. As long as the commodity is stamping foil, whether used for paper, plastic, or textiles, it is classified under 321210. However, if it is combined with textiles into a finished product, it is classified according to the finished product.
Q: In the declaration elements of stamping foil, is 'processing technology' mandatory?
A: It is recommended to fill it in. Processing technology helps customs determine the commodity attributes, such as whether it contains a metal layer, whether it is coated, etc. If missing, it may trigger inspection or classification disputes. A simple description such as 'coating, aluminum plating, slitting' is sufficient.
⚠️ Disclaimer: HS code classification, declaration elements, tariff rates and regulatory conditions on this page are for reference only and do not constitute legal advice on customs classification. Tariff rates and regulations are subject to change; the latest announcements from the General Administration of Customs and on-site determinations shall prevail. Please consult professional customs brokers or customs authorities before import/export.