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Pharma & chemicals

Export paints and varnishes

Decorative and industrial paints shipped mostly to neighbours, the Gulf, Russia and East Africa.

Free to exportHS 3208
HS code
3208
Paints, varnishes and enamels: solvent-based (3208), water-based emulsions (3209) and other paints, distempers and leather finishes (3210).
Export policy
Free to export
Free to export under ITC(HS) Schedule 2 (no condition listed). Confirm the current entry on the DGFT ITC(HS) search before you sign a contract.
Registrations
4
IEC, GST and those below
India’s exports, 2025-26
US$ 124 mn
to 99 countries

What is exported

India exports solvent-based enamels, lacquers and varnishes, water-based emulsions and distempers, and industrial coatings. Buyers are paint distributors, hardware chains, contractors and factories. In 2025-26 India exported about US$ 106 million under HS 3208 and about US$ 18 million under HS 3209; Russia, the UAE, Turkey, Bangladesh, Kenya and Nepal were the largest buyers of 3208.

Varieties, grades and forms

  • Decorative emulsions and distempersWater-based wall paints (HS 3209 and 3210); not dangerous goods, so the easiest to ship.
  • Synthetic enamels and wood finishesSolvent-based enamels, lacquers, varnishes and PU finishes (HS 3208).
  • Industrial and protective coatingsEpoxy, anti-corrosive, road-marking and insulating varnishes for factories and projects.
  • Cement paints and puttyDry powder products popular in South Asia and Africa.

Where it is grown or made

  • MaharashtraMumbai, Thane and Pune — head offices and plants of large paint companies
  • GujaratAhmedabad, Vadodara, Ankleshwar and Vapi — paint, resin and pigment plants
  • Uttar Pradesh and HaryanaDelhi NCR (Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Kasna) — paint factories and many small makers
  • Tamil Nadu and KarnatakaChennai and Mysuru — large paint plants

Export packing

  • Metal or plastic tins and pails (1 litre to 20 litres) with sealed lids, packed in cartons and stretch-wrapped on pallets.
  • Solvent paints use UN-approved packaging with dangerous-goods marks and labels; industrial coatings go in drums.
  • Powder products (distemper, cement paint, putty) go in laminated bags.

Who buys abroad

  • Paint distributors and hardware wholesalers
  • Building contractors and project buyers
  • Factories buying industrial coatings
  • Private-label paint brands

The quality buyers ask for

Lead content
Not more than 90 ppm in consumer paints for the USA (16 CFR 1303) and under India's household paint rules
VOC (EU)
Maximum VOC content per product category under Directive 2004/42/EC, stated on the label
Performance
Viscosity, drying time, gloss, coverage (m² per litre), scrub resistance and adhesion, tested to ISO, ASTM or BIS methods
Colour
Matched to shade cards or RAL/NCS references within agreed tolerance
Flash point
Declared on the SDS; decides dangerous-goods class for transport

Certificates

  • Safety data sheet (SDS)RequiredNeeded for every paint shipment and by all major markets; follow the buyer country's format (for example EU REACH Annex II).
  • REACH and CLP (EU)RequiredSubstances must be registered by the EU importer or an only representative, and labels must follow CLP.
  • Dangerous-goods declaration (IMDG/IATA)RequiredFor solvent-based paints shipped by sea or air.
  • ISO 9001 / ISO 14001Often askedQuality and environmental systems that distributors and project buyers often ask for.
  • Eco-labels (for example EU Ecolabel)Often askedOptional, for low-VOC paints aimed at green building buyers.

Shipping, storage and shelf life

Container load

A 20-ft container typically takes about 16–20 tonnes of paint in tins and pails on pallets; the exact load depends on pack sizes and the line's weight limit.

How it travels

Sea from Nhava Sheva, Mundra or Chennai; road to Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. Solvent paints need a line that accepts Class 3 cargo.

Storage

Store between about 5 °C and 35 °C, away from sun; water-based paints must not freeze.

Shelf life

Usually 12–36 months unopened, as declared by the maker.

What goes on the pack and carton

  • Product name, colour, volume, batch number, manufacture and expiry dates, maker or importer name and address.
  • EU: CLP pictograms, signal word and hazard statements in the local language, and the VOC statement.
  • Dangerous-goods marks and UN number on outer packs of solvent paints.
Where to get it tested

Search the NABL directory for labs accredited for paints and coatings (lead, VOC, performance). CSIR laboratories and BIS-recognised labs also test paints; ask CAPEXIL for members' lists.

Benefits of exporting this product

Where to register

  • CAPEXILPaints and allied products are listed under CAPEXIL in Appendix 2T; take your RCMC there.capexil.org ↗
  • BISLead in household and decorative paints is capped by India's own rules (90 ppm); keep BIS-standard test reports — buyers often ask for them.bis.gov.in ↗

Quality and checks

  • Safety data sheet (SDS) in the buyer's format; solvent paints are dangerous goods (usually UN 1263, Class 3) for sea and air.
  • EU: REACH registration of substances (by the EU importer or your only representative), CLP hazard labels and VOC limits under Directive 2004/42/EC.
  • USA: consumer paint must not exceed 90 ppm lead (16 CFR 1303).
  • Batch test reports for colour, viscosity, drying time and coverage against the agreed specification.
How to start small

Start with water-based emulsions or distempers, which are not dangerous goods and are cheaper to ship. Supply a neighbouring market (Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka) by road or a mixed container, with SDS and test reports ready, and quote in tins sized for the buyer's retail shelves.

Where new exporters go wrong

  • Shipping solvent paint as general cargo — undeclared dangerous goods lead to fines, rejection by the line and insurance claims refused.
  • Labels only in English where the market wants its own language (Arabic in the Gulf, Russian in Russia).
  • Emulsions freezing or settling in long transit — agree shelf life and storage conditions in the contract.

Documents this product needs

Schemes that apply

Sources (9)
  1. Department of Commerce, Export Import Data Bank — India's exports of HS 3208 and 3209 by country, 2025-26
  2. DGFT — Appendix 2T: Export Promotion Councils and the products under each
  3. DGFT — ITC(HS) export policy search (Schedule 2)
  4. CAPEXIL — official site
  5. ECHA — Understanding REACH
  6. ECHA — Understanding CLP (classification, labelling and packaging)
  7. European Commission — VOC emissions from paints and varnishes (Directive 2004/42/EC)
  8. eCFR — 16 CFR Part 1303, Ban of lead-containing paint and certain consumer products bearing it
  9. IMO — International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code

Trade data

Indian paints and varnishes exports in numbers

From the Department of Commerce’s TradeStat, country by country. US$, Indian financial years (April–March).

Exports in 2025-26
US$ 124 mn
+11.1% a year on average, 2020-21 to 2025-26
Change from 2024-25
↑ +4.1%
US$ 120 mn → US$ 124 mn
Buyer countries
99
Average export price
US$ 3.59
per kg · 34,696 tonnes shipped · US$ 3.47 the year before
Russia: US$ 18.8 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 16.8 mnBangladesh: US$ 8.1 mnTürkiye: US$ 7.8 mnKenya: US$ 6.7 mnNepal: US$ 6 mnThailand: US$ 5.8 mnBhutan: US$ 5.7 mnAustralia: US$ 4.2 mnSri Lanka: US$ 4.2 mnNigeria: US$ 3.6 mnQatar: US$ 2.4 mnIndonesia: US$ 2.3 mnMaldives: US$ 2 mnDjibouti: US$ 1.9 mnSaudi Arabia: US$ 1.7 mnJapan: US$ 1.6 mnSingapore: US$ 1.6 mnUnited Kingdom: US$ 1.6 mnPhilippines: US$ 1.5 mnGermany: US$ 1.5 mnSouth Korea: US$ 1.4 mnTaiwan: US$ 1.3 mnTanzania: US$ 1.3 mnChina: US$ 1.2 mnRussia: US$ 18.8 mnRussiaUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 16.8 mnUnited Arab EmiratesBangladesh: US$ 8.1 mnBangladeshTürkiye: US$ 7.8 mnTürkiyeKenya: US$ 6.7 mnKenyaNepal: US$ 6 mnNepalThailand: US$ 5.8 mnBhutan: US$ 5.7 mnAustralia: US$ 4.2 mnSri Lanka: US$ 4.2 mnNigeria: US$ 3.6 mnQatar: US$ 2.4 mnIndonesia: US$ 2.3 mnMaldives: US$ 2 mnDjibouti: US$ 1.9 mnSaudi Arabia: US$ 1.7 mnJapan: US$ 1.6 mnSingapore: US$ 1.6 mnUnited Kingdom: US$ 1.6 mnPhilippines: US$ 1.5 mnGermany: US$ 1.5 mnSouth Korea: US$ 1.4 mnTaiwan: US$ 1.3 mnTanzania: US$ 1.3 mnChina: US$ 1.2 mnIndia
Where Indian paints and varnishes goes — among our 80 countries, 2025-26
2020-21: US$ 73.6 mn742020-212021-22: US$ 90.6 mn912021-222022-23: US$ 97.4 mn972022-232023-24: US$ 110 mn1102023-242024-25: US$ 120 mn1202024-252025-26: US$ 124 mn1242025-26
India’s paints and varnishes exports, year by year · US$ million

The price cycle

India’s average export price per kg each year (total value ÷ total quantity). Highest in 2022-23, lowest in 2020-21 — a 57% swing between them. Keep this swing in mind when you quote.

2020-21: US$ 2.36 per kg2.362021-22: US$ 3.17 per kg2022-23: US$ 3.69 per kg3.692024-25: US$ 3.47 per kg2025-26: US$ 3.59 per kg3.592020-212021-222022-232023-242024-252025-26
Average export price of Indian paints and varnishes · US$ per kg · dotted = year in between not available

What next: a projection from the trend

The past trend carried forward — not a forecast by any authority. Sudden changes in policy, prices or demand are not in it.

2020-21: US$ 73.6 mn2020-212021-22: US$ 90.6 mn2021-222022-23: US$ 97.4 mn2022-232023-24: US$ 110 mn2023-242024-25: US$ 120 mn2024-252025-26: US$ 124 mn2025-262026-27: US$ 145 mn (US$ 135 mn – US$ 154 mn)1452026-272027-28: US$ 160 mn (US$ 149 mn – US$ 172 mn)1602027-28
India’s paints and varnishes exports and projection · hollow bars = projection, line = likely range
By 2027-28: US$ 160 mn

Likely range US$ 149 mn to US$ 172 mn.

Trend
+10.8% a year
Fit (R²)
0.95
Based on
6 years of official figures

Method: a straight line through the logarithm of yearly exports (log-linear regression); range = ±1 standard error.

Biggest buyer countries

By value in 2025-26. Change is against 2024-25.

Name2025-26Change
1RussiaUS$ 18.8 mn+66.5%
2United Arab EmiratesUS$ 16.8 mn-22.7%
3BangladeshUS$ 8.1 mn+0.5%
4TürkiyeUS$ 7.8 mn-9.2%
5KenyaUS$ 6.7 mn+9.2%
6NepalUS$ 6 mn+12.6%
7ThailandUS$ 5.8 mn+14.1%
8BhutanUS$ 5.7 mn-16%
9AustraliaUS$ 4.2 mn-15.6%
10Sri LankaUS$ 4.2 mn+7%
11NigeriaUS$ 3.6 mn+40.5%
12QatarUS$ 2.4 mn+25.4%

Where demand is rising and falling

Only countries that buy at least US$ 1 million or 1% of India’s exports of this product. Change from 2024-25 to 2025-26.

High demand

  1. SingaporeUS$ 490k → US$ 1.6 mn+222.4%
  2. DjiboutiUS$ 750k → US$ 1.9 mn+158.7%
  3. RussiaUS$ 11.3 mn → US$ 18.8 mn+66.5%
  4. TaiwanUS$ 890k → US$ 1.3 mn+49.4%
  5. NigeriaUS$ 2.6 mn → US$ 3.6 mn+40.5%
  6. United KingdomUS$ 1.2 mn → US$ 1.6 mn+36.5%
  7. QatarUS$ 1.9 mn → US$ 2.4 mn+25.4%
  8. IndonesiaUS$ 1.9 mn → US$ 2.3 mn+23.8%

Low demand

  1. GermanyUS$ 2.8 mn → US$ 1.5 mn-46.9%
  2. DR CongoUS$ 1.9 mn → US$ 1.2 mn-37%
  3. TanzaniaUS$ 1.8 mn → US$ 1.3 mn-27.9%
  4. United Arab EmiratesUS$ 21.7 mn → US$ 16.8 mn-22.7%
  5. BhutanUS$ 6.8 mn → US$ 5.7 mn-16%
  6. AustraliaUS$ 5 mn → US$ 4.2 mn-15.6%
  7. South KoreaUS$ 1.6 mn → US$ 1.4 mn-11.8%
  8. PhilippinesUS$ 1.7 mn → US$ 1.5 mn-11.4%

Which forms sell, and at what price

India’s exports by 8-digit tariff line, 2025-26. Average price = total value ÷ total quantity (TradeStat): the average of every shipment on that line, not the price of any one deal.

Tariff lineValue 2025-26ChangeQuantityAverage price
Other paint varnsh(including enml and lacqr) bsd on syntic plymr/chmly mdfd natrl plymr not elsewhere specified3208 90 90 · Paints and varnishes, based on polymers in heading no. 3208, dispersed or dissolved in a non-aqueous mediumUS$ 38.7 mn+1.9%10,546 tonnesUS$ 3.67 per kgwas US$ 3.77
Others based on polyesters3208 10 90 · Paints and varnishes, based on polyesters, dispersed or dissolved in a non-aqueous mediumUS$ 31.2 mn+14.8%7,571 tonnesUS$ 4.12 per kgwas US$ 3.97
Other paint vrnsh bsd on acrylc/vnyl plymr3208 20 90 · Paints and varnishes, based on acrylic or vinyl polymers, dispersed or dissolved in a non-aqueous mediumUS$ 12.9 mn+3.7%2,658 tonnesUS$ 4.86 per kgwas US$ 5.21
Paints and varnishes, based on acrylic or vinyl polymers, dispersed or dissolved in an aqueous medium — acrylic emulsion3209 10 10US$ 5.9 mn-5.6%2,082 tonnesUS$ 2.85 per kgwas US$ 3.06
Other paint varnshs (including enml and laqurs) bsd on other synthtic polymers etc. n.e.s.;3209 90 90 · Paints and varnishes,, dispersed or dissolved in an aqueous mediumUS$ 5.7 mn-2.7%1,743 tonnesUS$ 3.28 per kgwas US$ 3.07
Other paints bsd on acrylc/vnyl polymr3209 10 90 · Paints and varnishes, based on acrylic or vinyl polymers, dispersed or dissolved in an aqueous mediumUS$ 5 mn-22.6%1,943 tonnesUS$ 2.57 per kgwas US$ 1.85
Lacquers based on polyesters3208 10 20 · Paints and varnishes, based on polyesters, dispersed or dissolved in a non-aqueous mediumUS$ 3.9 mn0%480 tonnesUS$ 8.17 per kgwas US$ 7.94
Other paints varnshs (other enamels)3208 90 29 · Paints and varnishes, based on polymers in heading no. 3208, dispersed or dissolved in a non-aqueous mediumUS$ 3.3 mn-10.6%1,005 tonnesUS$ 3.28 per kgwas US$ 3.10
Other paintandvarnsh based on cellulose or oyher cellulose derivatives3208 90 19 · Paints and varnishes, based on polymers in heading no. 3208, dispersed or dissolved in a non-aqueous mediumUS$ 3 mn+11.1%1,017 tonnesUS$ 2.95 per kgwas US$ 3.64
Enamels based on polyesters3208 10 10 · Paints and varnishes, based on polyesters, dispersed or dissolved in a non-aqueous mediumUS$ 2.8 mn+7.3%841 tonnesUS$ 3.33 per kgwas US$ 3.81
Paints and varnishes, based on polymers in heading no. 3208, dispersed or dissolved in a non-aqueous medium — insulating varnish3208 90 41US$ 2.5 mn+27.3%1,132 tonnesUS$ 2.23 per kgwas US$ 2.58
Synthetic enamel,other colours.3208 90 22 · Paints and varnishes, based on polymers in heading no. 3208, dispersed or dissolved in a non-aqueous mediumUS$ 1.8 mn-0.6%653 tonnesUS$ 2.71 per kgwas US$ 2.92
Nitrocellulose lacquers based on celluloseor oyher cellulose derivatives3208 90 11 · Paints and varnishes, based on polymers in heading no. 3208, dispersed or dissolved in a non-aqueous mediumUS$ 1.3 mn+22%434 tonnesUS$ 3.06 per kgwas US$ 3.38
Paints and varnishes, based on polymers in heading no. 3208, dispersed or dissolved in a non-aqueous medium — other varnishes3208 90 49US$ 1 mn+9.6%337 tonnesUS$ 3.05 per kgwas US$ 2.93

The world market

Each country’s own recorded exports and imports in UN Comtrade, 2023 (the latest year nearly every country has reported).

World imports
US$ 23.8 bn
2023
India among exporters
#33
of 154 countries
India’s share of world exports
0.4%
US$ 108 mn
Left for others to win
US$ 25 bn
exported by other countries

Top exporters — your competitors

  1. 1GermanyUS$ 3.98 bn 15.8%
  2. 2USAUS$ 2.92 bn 11.6%
  3. 3ItalyUS$ 1.86 bn 7.4%
  4. 4JapanUS$ 1.62 bn 6.4%
  5. 5NetherlandsUS$ 1.46 bn 5.8%
  6. 6FranceUS$ 1.18 bn 4.7%
  7. 7United KingdomUS$ 1.07 bn 4.3%
  8. 8SpainUS$ 898 mn 3.6%
  9. 9ChinaUS$ 897 mn 3.6%
  10. 10PolandUS$ 759 mn 3%

Biggest buyers in the world

  1. 1ChinaUS$ 1.62 bn 6.8%
  2. 2CanadaUS$ 1.31 bn 5.5%
  3. 3USAUS$ 1.27 bn 5.3%
  4. 4GermanyUS$ 1.25 bn 5.2%
  5. 5FranceUS$ 1.03 bn 4.3%
  6. 6PolandUS$ 967 mn 4.1%
  7. 7MexicoUS$ 915 mn 3.8%
  8. 8NetherlandsUS$ 877 mn 3.7%
  9. 9United KingdomUS$ 742 mn 3.1%
  10. 10SpainUS$ 704 mn 3%

Opportunity: what these countries buy from the world, and from India

Each country’s own recorded imports in UN Comtrade, latest year it has reported. The long light part of each bar is demand other countries are filling today.

ChinaUS$ 1.82 bnIndia 0% · gap US$ 1.82 bn
United States of AmericaUS$ 1.32 bnIndia 0.1% · gap US$ 1.32 bn
CanadaUS$ 1.31 bnIndia 0% · gap US$ 1.31 bn
GermanyUS$ 1.23 bnIndia 0.3% · gap US$ 1.22 bn
FranceUS$ 943 mnIndia 0% · gap US$ 943 mn
NetherlandsUS$ 851 mnIndia 0% · gap US$ 851 mn
United KingdomUS$ 742 mnIndia 0.1% · gap US$ 741 mn
SpainUS$ 698 mnIndia 0% · gap US$ 698 mn
ItalyUS$ 656 mnIndia 0% · gap US$ 656 mn
South KoreaUS$ 573 mnIndia 0.3% · gap US$ 571 mn

TradeStat’s 2023-24 quantities are double-counted, so that year is left out of the price. Sources: TradeStat — Export Import Data Bank, Department of Commerce · UN Comtrade database (United Nations Statistics Division) · Figures taken 29 October 2026.

Step by step

How to export paints and varnishes

The world paint trade is led by Europe, the USA, China and Japan, where large multinationals make and sell close to their customers. Paint is bulky and partly hazardous, so most is made near the market, and exports from India mostly go to neighbours, the Gulf, Russia and Africa. Demand follows construction and housing, plus industrial coatings for factories and infrastructure. Indian makers are competitive in decorative emulsions, enamels and distempers for price-sensitive markets. Openings are in South Asia and Africa, in private-label paints for distributors, and in speciality coatings sold with technical support.

  1. 01Choose the range

    Pick products the target market uses (emulsions, enamels, primers) and check local standards.

  2. 02Prepare SDS and test reports

    Get SDS, lead and VOC test reports and performance data for each product.

  3. 03Register

    Take IEC, GST LUT and RCMC from CAPEXIL.

  4. 04Label for the market

    Print labels in the buyer's language with hazard and VOC information where required.

  5. 05Book the right freight

    Declare dangerous goods correctly; book a line and port that accept them.

  6. 06Ship and file

    File the shipping bill with the correct 8-digit code to claim RoDTEP and drawback.

  7. 07Get paid

    Advance or LC for new buyers; realise proceeds within the RBI time limit.

Meet buyers

Trade fairs

Questions

Questions about exporting paints and varnishes

Is paint dangerous goods?
Solvent-based paints usually are (UN 1263, Class 3). Most water-based emulsions are not, but the SDS decides — check section 14.
Which council do I join?
CAPEXIL — Appendix 2T lists paints and allied products under it.
Do I need REACH registration to sell in the EU?
The EU importer or your only representative must register substances above one tonne a year. Agree who does it before you sign.
What RoDTEP do paints get?
0.7% of FOB for all lines under 3208, 3209 and 3210, as per Appendix 4R (continued to 31 Dec 2026).
Can I export by road to Nepal?
Yes, through land customs stations such as Raxaul–Birgunj, with the usual export documents. Dangerous goods still need proper declaration and packing.
Sources (8)
  1. CAPEXIL — official site
  2. ECHA — Understanding REACH
  3. ECHA — Understanding CLP (classification, labelling and packaging)
  4. European Commission — VOC emissions from paints and varnishes (Directive 2004/42/EC)
  5. eCFR — 16 CFR Part 1303, Ban of lead-containing paint and certain consumer products bearing it
  6. IMO — International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code
  7. NABL — search for accredited testing laboratories
  8. DGFT — Appendix 4R, RoDTEP schedule for DTA exports w.e.f. 10.10.2024 (Notification 32/2024-25); rates continued to 31.12.2026 by Notification 41/2026-27

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