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Customs Clearance of Textile Dyes
To estimate the time and cost of textile dyes customs clearance, contact the Saba Tarkhis experts.
Instant, free consultation1) Types of Colorants and Textile Dyes
Acid Dyes:
These dyes are acidic and mainly used for protein fibers such as wool, silk, and nylon. By reacting with amine groups in protein fibers, they form strong bonds and deliver high color fastness. They’re popular in textiles for producing vivid, brilliant shades.
Basic Dyes:
Cationic dyes primarily used for synthetic fibers like acrylic and polyacrylonitrile. Owing to strong affinity for negatively charged sites, they exhibit excellent fastness and impart high brightness ideal where glossy, transparent colors are needed.
Direct Dyes:
Applied directly to cellulosic fibers such as cotton, linen, and viscose without fixatives or high heat. Ease of use makes them common for cotton apparel and fabrics needing quick, level dyeing and reasonable fastness.
Reactive Dyes:
They form covalent bonds with fibers, yielding excellent durability and wash/light fastness. Widely used on natural fibers like cotton and wool, they provide precise shades with high clarity and brilliance for long-lasting textiles.
Disperse Dyes:
Mainly for synthetics such as polyester, nylon, and acetate. Finely dispersed in water, they penetrate fibers with heat/mechanical action, making them suitable for high-temperature dyeing of polyester fabrics.
2) Steps for Clearing Colorants through Customs
Clearing dyes involves several steps, each requiring careful attention and follow-up:
1. Order registration in the National Trade System
The first step is registering the order in the integrated trade portal. It coordinates importers and authorities and records product type, quantity, value, and country of origin. Accuracy here is crucial to avoid delays or legal issues.
2. Obtaining the required permits
Given the chemical nature and environmental impact, imports require specific permits, including:
- Department of Environment permit: mandatory due to potential environmental impacts of some chemicals.
- Institute of Standards & Industrial Research of Iran (ISIRI): to confirm compliance with safety/quality standards.
3. Customs declaration
One of the most important stages. The declaration must accurately state product type, quantity, value, and HS Code. Errors can result in fines or delays.
4. Inspection and sampling
Customs and other authorities often inspect and take samples to verify compliance with national/international standards—key for chemical safety and a major factor in clearance speed.
5. Paying customs duties
Duties are calculated based on the HS Code and declared value. For dyes, rates vary with chemical composition and form, charged as a percentage of value or by weight/volume.
3) Customs Tariffs and HS Codes for Colorants
Tariffs for dyes and textile colorants are categorized by HS codes, which differ by chemical type and composition. Key HS codes include:
| Product/Group | Description | HS Code |
|---|---|---|
| Synthetic organic dyes | Including acid, basic, direct, disperse | 3204 |
| Color lakes & other coloring matter | For inks and industrial applications | 3205 |
Exact subheading depends on chemical composition, physical form, end use, and manufacturer’s documentation.
Tariffs may vary by origin and trade agreements. Countries like China and India often enjoy preferential rates for exports to Iran, lowering import costs.
4) Required Testing and Standards
Colorants—especially those used in textiles, apparel, and food-adjacent applications must meet specific standards to ensure safety for humans and the environment.
International standards:
Imports should comply with recognized frameworks, including:
- ISO (International Organization for Standardization): widely used quality/safety standards.
- REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals): EU scheme assessing chemicals for human and environmental safety; followed by many other countries as well.
Health & safety testing:
Where dyes may contact skin or food, hygiene/safety tests are required. These ensure the chemical is safe for sensitive uses such as childrenswear textiles or food packaging.
5) Major Exporters and Importers of Colorants
Iran imports dyes from multiple countries. China, Germany, India, and Turkey are among the largest suppliers due to advanced chemical industries and technology.
Conversely, Iran exports some dyes to neighbors such as Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. With competitive pricing and quality, these products have captured a notable share of regional markets.
6) Special Conditions for Importing Colorants
- Special packaging & transport: due to chemical nature, packaging must prevent environmental contamination; international safety/health rules must be followed during transport.
- Environmental compliance: imports are contingent on meeting environmental standards; some items may require Department of Environment approval.
7) Required Documents for Clearing Colorants & Textile Dyes
To clear dyes through customs, prepare a complete, compliant document set per national customs law and international standards to avoid clearance issues.
1. Commercial Invoice
Must include full seller/buyer details, product name/spec, quantity, weight, unit/total price, payment terms, and origin the basis for valuation and duty assessment.
2. Packing List
Detailed count, packaging type, net/gross weights, and dimensions/volume of each package used to verify declaration accuracy.
3. Certificate of Origin
Issued by the exporter’s chamber of commerce critical for tariff determination; must precisely state dye type and quantity.
4. Customs Declaration
Prepared by the importer and submitted to customs, listing type, quantity, value, and HS Code; used directly to calculate duties.
5. Standard/Compliance Certificate
Some dyes need proof of compliance with national/international standards and may require lab testing to obtain certification.
6. Department of Environment Permit
May be required for chemical imports, confirming no unacceptable environmental impact and authorizing use in Iran.
7. ISIRI Approval (Iran National Standards)
Confirms conformity with national standards and acceptable safety/quality levels for certain chemical imports including dyes.
8. Bill of Lading
Issued by the carrier, listing loading point, destination, shipper/consignee evidence of carriage and title for customs.
9. Inspection Certificate
Sometimes required from an independent inspector to confirm quantity/quality against the purchase order/specification.
10. Insurance Policy
Specifies coverage against transit risks, including product details, value, and coverage limits to mitigate financial loss.
11. Delivery Order
Issued by the carrier after settlement of freight and port/customs charges, authorizing cargo release to the importer.
12. Proforma (Value Declaration)
Contains full pricing and sales terms. Customs uses it to assess customs value and compute duties.
Given the multi-step workflow and documentation intensity, partnering with a professional broker such as Saba Tarkhis helps accelerate procedures and optimize costs from end to end.
Need precise HS classification, permits, and document prep? Our team manages the case from A to Z.
Request a proforma quoteFAQs
What are common HS Codes for dyes?
Per the text: 3204 (synthetic organic dyes incl. acid/basic/direct/disperse) and 3205 (color lakes & other coloring matter).
Which permits are required to import dyes?
Department of Environment permit and ISIRI approvals depending on substance and end use.
Which key standards must be met?
Conformance to ISO frameworks and REACH requirements especially for skin/food contact.
Media Suggestions
- Image filename:
textile-dyes-customs-clearance-hs-3204-3205-iran.jpg - Alt Text: Customs clearance of colorants & textile dyes | HS 3204 & 3205
- Caption: “Textile dye clearance roadmap: from order registration to standards & permits.”
- Infographic: “Document checklist, HS mapping, inspection/sampling workflow.”
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Summary & Call to Action
To accelerate clearance of colorants and textile dyes—while meeting standards and securing permits rely on the Saba Tarkhis team’s experience.
Request expert consultation Get a clearance quotePremium Customs Services by Saba Brokerage
With extensive experience in clearing chemical goods—especially colorants and textile dyes we offer specialized services, including:
Specialized consulting: Our experts, fully versed in customs procedures and chemical import rules, guide you through each stage to ensure accuracy and speed.
Fast, accurate order registration: We leverage advanced systems to register orders precisely and error-free, preventing delays.
Obtaining permits: A key challenge in chemical clearance is licensing. Thanks to our strong ties with authorities, we secure permits quickly and efficiently.
End-to-end customs handling: From start to finish, our specialists follow up on all customs tasks and administrative steps on your behalf.
Safe transport: Given the sensitivity of dyes, we provide robust packaging and transport solutions to prevent damage.
Cost reduction: By optimizing workflows and tightly managing the process, we help cut extra costs so your goods clear at the lowest possible expense.
Because dye clearance involves chemical sensitivities and legal complexity, dedicated expertise is essential. Our comprehensive services consulting, permitting, customs follow-up, and safe logistics ensure your imports clear quickly and cost-effectively.
