3206.41.00.00 - Ultramarine and preparations based thereon

This HTS category, 3206.41.00.00, specifically covers ultramarine and any preparations derived from it. Ultramarine is a deep blue pigment, historically produced from lapis lazuli but now commonly synthesized. It finds extensive use in paints, inks, plastics, and cosmetics due to its vibrant color and stability. The "preparations based thereon" include mixtures where ultramarine is the primary coloring agent, even if other inert materials are present.

It is crucial to distinguish this category from its siblings. Heading 3206.42.00.00 covers lithopone and other pigments and preparations based on zinc sulfide, which are typically white or yellowish and distinct from the blue hue of ultramarine. The "Other" subcategory (3206.49) encompasses a broader range of inorganic coloring matters and preparations not specifically classified elsewhere within heading 3206. Therefore, classification here hinges on the presence and dominance of ultramarine as the coloring substance.

As this is a leaf node in the HTS classification system, there are no further subcategories. This means that any product fitting the description of ultramarine or its direct preparations will be classified under this specific code, provided it does not fall under the exclusion criteria of headings 3203, 3204, or 3205, which cover different types of coloring matter and dyes.