3211.00.00.00 - Prepared driers

This HTS category, 3211.00.00.00, encompasses prepared driers. These are chemical substances specifically formulated to accelerate the drying process of paints, varnishes, inks, and other similar surface coatings. They function by promoting oxidation, polymerization, or other chemical reactions that solidify liquid formulations. Prepared driers are typically metallic salts of organic acids (such as cobalt, manganese, lead, or zirconium naphthenates, octoates, or linoleates) or combinations thereof, often presented in liquid form with a carrier solvent.

Distinguishing prepared driers from other categories within Chapter 32 requires an understanding of their specific function. While other pigments and dyes (Chapter 3201-3206) provide color, and putty and mastics (Chapter 3214) are filling or sealing compounds, prepared driers are solely dedicated to the curing and hardening of coatings. They are not typically used as primary colorants or structural fillers but as functional additives to modify the drying time and film properties of the final product.

As a leaf node in the HTS classification system, there are no further subdivisions under 3211.00.00.00. Therefore, the classification of goods under this code relies on confirming that the product's primary purpose and composition align with the definition of prepared driers as described. Importers and exporters should ensure that the product is indeed intended for accelerating drying processes in coatings and is not classified elsewhere based on its dominant characteristic, such as a pigment if it also contains coloring agents or as a solvent if its primary function is dissolution.