NAICS 332812

Overview

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the federal statistical standard for grouping business establishments to enable consistent measurement of the U.S. economy. Developed jointly by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, NAICS replaced the SIC in 1997 and has been updated on a five-year cycle through 2022. ⁴

NAICS 332812 covers establishments primarily engaged in enameling, lacquering, varnishing, hot-dip galvanizing, powder coating, and engraving/chasing/etching of metals and metal products for the trade (excluding jewelry, personal metal goods, most precious-metal items, and printing plates). It is used across federal statistical series and the Economic Census and resides within Subsector 332 (Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing). ¹

• See also on G2X:
  • NAICS 332811 — Metal Heat Treating
  • NAICS 332813 — Electroplating, Plating, Polishing, Anodizing, and Coloring

What this NAICS covers

• Enameling, lacquering, and varnishing of metals and metal products performed for manufacturers. ¹
• Hot-dip galvanizing of fabricated metal components and assemblies. ¹
• Powder coating of metal parts, subassemblies, and finished goods for the trade. ¹
• Engraving, chasing, or etching of metal products other than jewelry, personal metal goods, and most precious-metal products. ¹
• Metal surfacing and allied finishing services for manufacturers that do not involve fabricating the end product. ¹
• Excluded: engraving of printing plates (classified elsewhere) and engraving/chasing/etching of jewelry and precious-metal personal goods. ¹

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Cross-references reflected above are drawn from the Census NAICS description for 332812. ¹

Classification boundaries and cross-references

• Establishments that both fabricate products and perform coating/engraving are classified by the product manufactured, not in 332812. ¹
• Engraving/chasing/etching of jewelry, personal metal goods (e.g., compacts, cigarette cases), and most precious-metal products is classified in Jewelry and Silverware Manufacturing (see 339910), not 332812. ¹
• Engraving or etching of printing plates is classified in 323122 Prepress Services, not 332812. ¹
• Manufacturing blank (non-photosensitive) printing plates falls under 333293; photosensitive plates are under 325992. ¹

2022 vintage and federal data use

NAICS is revised every five years; programs are transitioning to the 2022 vintage on a rolling basis. The Census Bureau began disseminating 2022 NAICS-based Economic Census data in 2024 and expects most economic programs to adopt 2022 NAICS by the end of 2027. ²

Frequently asked questions

• What activities are in-scope for 332812?

  In-scope work includes enameling, lacquering, varnishing, hot-dip galvanizing, powder coating, and engraving/chasing/etching of metals performed for the trade. It excludes engraving of printing plates and the engraving/chasing/etching of jewelry, personal metal goods, and most precious-metal items. ¹

• How does 332812 differ from 332813?

  332812 covers coating (including powder coating) and metal engraving services for the trade. 332813 focuses on electroplating, plating, anodizing, coloring, polishing, cleaning, and sandblasting. Both are within Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities but cover distinct processes. ¹

• Are consumer trophy or gift-shop engravers classified in 332812?

  Not typically. Retail trophy and award shops that perform incidental engraving are usually classified under retail categories, while metal engraving for the trade belongs in 332812. Not specified by official sources for every retail case; consult Census NAICS descriptions to determine fit. ¹

• When will most federal datasets reflect the 2022 NAICS version for 332812?

  Census programs began publishing 2022 NAICS-based Economic Census results in 2024. Most federal economic series are scheduled to complete their transition to 2022 NAICS by the end of 2027, with a few exceptions shifting on later cycles. ²

• Where is the official text description for 332812?

  The official description and cross-references appear in Census NAICS materials, including the downloadable 2022 NAICS industry description files maintained by the U.S. Census Bureau. ³

Useful resources

• G2X — NAICS 332812 overview
• U.S. Census Bureau — 2022 NAICS implementation timeline: https://www.census.gov/library/reference/code-lists/naics/2022/implementation-timeline.html
• U.S. Census Bureau — 2022 NAICS descriptions (downloadable text files): https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/nonemployer-statistics/technical-documentation/reference/naics-descriptions.html
• U.S. Census Bureau — Archived sector 31–33 text (includes 332812 definition): https://www.census.gov/naics/resources/archives/sect31-33.html

References

1. U.S. Census Bureau — NAICS sector 31–33 archived text (includes Industry 332812 definition and cross-references): https://www.census.gov/naics/resources/archives/sect31-33.html
2. U.S. Census Bureau — The Census Bureau’s Implementation of the 2022 NAICS: https://www.census.gov/library/reference/code-lists/naics/2022/implementation-timeline.html
3. U.S. Census Bureau — Industry Reference Files: 2022 NAICS Descriptions: https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/nonemployer-statistics/technical-documentation/reference/naics-descriptions.html
4. U.S. Census Bureau — About Industry (overview of NAICS history and update cycle): https://www.census.gov/topics/employment/industry-occupation/about/industry.html