Reactive dyes from India
India exported $536 million of reactive dyes (HS 3204.16) in FY2025-26, down 12% on FY2024-25. Goods made in India pay 16.5% US import duty, against 44% for goods from China.
- US duty from India
- 16.5%China 44%
- India's exports, FY2025-26
- $536MDown 12.1% on last year
- HS code
- 3204.16Page updated 6 Nov 2026
US import duty, India vs China
India pays 27.5 points less on the lowest-duty line. From the USITC HTS 2026 Rev 22.
All 4 US tariff lines
| HTS line | Description | Base | India | China |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3204.16.10.00 | Reactive dyes and preparations based thereon: Reactive black 1; Reactive blue 1, 2, 4; Reactive orange 1; Reactive red 1, 2, 3, 5, 6; and Reactive yellow 1 | 6.5% | 16.5% | 44% |
| 3204.16.20.00 | Reactive dyes and preparations based thereon: Dyes containing, by weight-- 71.0 percent Reactive Yellow 85, and 29.0 percent Reactive Orange 13; Dyes containing, by weight--50.0 percent Reactive Red 120, and 50.0 percent Reactive Yellow 84; Dyes containing, by weight-- 50.0 percent Reactive Blue 74, and 50.0 percent Reactive Blue 63; Dyes containing, by weight--66.7 percent Reactive Orange 12, and 33.3 percent Reactive Red 32; Dyes containing, by weight-- 57.9 percent Reactive Blue 13, and 42.1 percent Reactive Black 41; Reactive black 4, 10, 13, 21, 23, 26, 34, 35, 41; Reactive blue 6, 7, 8, 10, 13, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 29, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 50, 51, 52, 63, 65, 66, 67, 69, 73, 74, 75, 77, 78, 79, 82, 94, 99, 103, 104, 114, 116, 118, 136, 137, 139, 140, 156, 157, 160, 162, 163, 167, 170; Reactive brown 2, 5, 7, 12, 16, 18, 19, 23, 26; Reactive green 5, 6, 8, 12, 15, 16, 19; Reactive orange 3, 5, 9, 10, 11, 15, 20, 29, 33, 34, 35, 41, 42, 44, 45, 62, 64, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 82, 84, 89; Reactive red 4, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 16, 17, 19, 21, 24, 29, 30, 32, 40, 42, 44, 45, 49, 55, 56, 66, 78, 80, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 99, 104, 116, 118, 119, 121, 122, 123, 124, 132, 134, 141, 151, 152, 159, 179; Reactive violet 3, 6, 12, 23, 24; and Reactive yellow 2, 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 15, 25, 27, 29, 35, 37, 39, 41, 42, 52, 57, 58, 64, 81, 82, 85, 87, 110, 125, 135 | 6.5% | 16.5% | 44% |
| 3204.16.30.00 | Other: Products described in additional U.S. note 3 to section VI | 6.5% | 16.5% | 44% |
| 3204.16.50.00 | Other: Other | 6.5% | 16.5% | 44% |
Totals include the Section 301 duty on goods from India or China and any Section 232 metals duty. They exclude anti-dumping and countervailing duties and customs fees. Check the current rate before you quote.
India's exports of reactive dyes
India's exports to all countries under HS 3204.16, April to March, from DGCI&S.
Rules and other duties
- EU base duty
- The EU's average applied base (MFN) rate on HS 3204.16 is 6.5%, from 2021 data. It doesn't include India's GSP preference, so goods from India may pay less. Check the current rate in TARIC before you quote.
- RoDTEP
- India's schedule lists 0.7% of FOB value for exporters. The scheme was notified until 30 September 2026, so check with DGFT whether it's been extended.
- India's export policy
- Free to export, with no licence needed.
Common questions
What is the US import duty on reactive dyes from India?
16.5% on the 4 US tariff lines under HS 3204.16, including the Section 301 duty on Indian goods and any Section 232 metals duty. Goods from China pay 44%. Anti-dumping duties and customs fees aren't included.
What is the HS code for reactive dyes?
3204.16, under heading 3204 (Synthetic organic coloring matter, whether or not chemically defined; preparations as specified in note 3 to this chapter based on synthetic organic coloring matter; synthetic organic products of a kind used as fluorescent brightening agents or as luminophores, whether or not chemically defined). Check the exact 8-digit or 10-digit line with your customs broker, since duty can differ between lines.
Does India export reactive dyes?
Yes. India exported $536 million under HS 3204.16 in FY2025-26, according to DGCI&S, the Ministry of Commerce's trade statistics body.