About HS Code 0510
HS Code 0510 is a highly specialized classification covering 'Ambergris, castoreum, civet and musk; cantharides; bile, dried or not; glands and other animal products used in the preparation of pharmaceutical products, fresh, chilled, frozen or otherwise provisionally preserved.' This heading is dedicated to valuable animal secretions, insects, and specific animal organs used primarily in the pharmaceutical, perfumery, and traditional medicine industries. The scope is precise, focusing on these specific high-value raw materials in their unprocessed or minimally preserved states. Key components include ambergris (a waxy substance from sperm whales), castoreum (from beavers), civet (from civet cats), and musk (from musk deer), all historically prized for their fixative and aromatic properties in perfumes. Cantharides (blister beetles) and animal bile (e.g., bear bile, ox bile) are also included, alongside various animal glands (e.g., pituitary, adrenal, pancreas) intended for pharmaceutical extraction. The 'provisionally preserved' aspect is crucial, meaning they are preserved only to maintain their integrity for transport and later processing, not manufactured into finished pharmaceutical products. This classification is vital for trade compliance due to the high value, rarity, and often endangered status of the source animals (e.g., CITES restrictions on musk deer and civet cats), demanding meticulous documentation and adherence to international wildlife protection laws. It highlights the unique role of animal-derived inputs in specialized industries, sitting within Section I, Chapter 5, as a distinct category of animal products.
Products Under This Code
Raw ambergris lumps, dried castoreum sacs, civet paste, dried musk pods, dried cantharides beetles, ox bile (dried), bear bile (liquid, highly restricted), provisionally preserved bovine pituitary glands, frozen porcine pancreas, dried snake bile, provisionally preserved ovine adrenal glands, deer musk grains, raw whale ambergris, prepared cantharides powder, frozen animal glands for pharmaceutical extraction.
Real World Examples
A high-value consignment of legally sourced, dried castoreum sacs is exported from Canada to a perfumery in Grasse, France, where it will be used as a fixative in luxury fragrances. Simultaneously, a pharmaceutical company in Switzerland imports a shipment of frozen bovine glands (e.g., pancreas, pituitary) from New Zealand, intended for the extraction of hormones and enzymes for medicinal preparations. In another scenario, a small, verified quantity of raw ambergris, found washed ashore in New Zealand, is legally traded to a fragrance house in the United Arab Emirates, underscoring the rarity and unique sourcing of such materials.
Common Misclassification
A common misclassification involves confusing these raw materials with finished pharmaceutical products, which fall under Chapter 30. For example, processed insulin extracted from a pancreas would be in Chapter 30, whereas the raw, provisionally preserved porcine pancreas itself is in 0510. Another error is classifying highly refined chemical extracts (Chapter 29, e.g., isolated hormones) instead of the raw glands. Traders might also mistakenly classify animal fats (Chapter 15) if the product is primarily a fatty substance, but 0510 is specific to secretions and glands for pharmaceutical/perfumery use. The key is the 'provisionally preserved' and 'used in preparation of pharmaceutical products' criteria.
Subheadings 1
Industry
This code belongs to the Agriculture & Live Animals industry.
Trade Overview
Trade in products under 0510 is highly specialized and often involves CITES-listed species, making legal sourcing and international permits paramount. Major exporters for legally sourced items like castoreum (Canada) and bovine glands (New Zealand, Australia, Brazil) supply pharmaceutical and perfumery industries in Europe (France, Switzerland, Germany) and Asia (Japan, China). Ambergris, a rare find, is traded globally from coastal regions where it's found. Due to the high value and sensitive nature, trade is subject to strict veterinary controls, CITES regulations, and national wildlife protection laws, often overriding standard tariff considerations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is HS code 0510?
HS code 0510 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Ambergris, castoreum, civet and musk; cantharides; bile, dried or not glands, other animal products used in preparation of pharmaceutical products, fresh chilled, frozen or otherwise provisionally preserved. HS Code 0510 is a highly specialized classification covering 'Ambergris, castoreum, civet and musk; cantharides; bile, dried or not; glands and other animal products used in the preparation of pharmaceutical products, fresh, chilled, frozen or otherwise provisionally preserved.' This heading is dedicated to valuable animal secretions, insects, and specific animal organs used primarily in the pharmaceutical, perfumery, and traditional medicine industries. The scope is precise, focusing on these specific high-value raw materials in their unprocessed or minimally preserved states. Key components include ambergris (a waxy substance from sperm whales), castoreum (from beavers), civet (from civet cats), and musk (from musk deer), all historically prized for their fixative and aromatic properties in perfumes. Cantharides (blister beetles) and animal bile (e.g., bear bile, ox bile) are also included, alongside various animal glands (e.g., pituitary, adrenal, pancreas) intended for pharmaceutical extraction. The 'provisionally preserved' aspect is crucial, meaning they are preserved only to maintain their integrity for transport and later processing, not manufactured into finished pharmaceutical products. This classification is vital for trade compliance due to the high value, rarity, and often endangered status of the source animals (e.g., CITES restrictions on musk deer and civet cats), demanding meticulous documentation and adherence to international wildlife protection laws. It highlights the unique role of animal-derived inputs in specialized industries, sitting within Section I, Chapter 5, as a distinct category of animal products.
What products fall under HS code 0510?
Raw ambergris lumps, dried castoreum sacs, civet paste, dried musk pods, dried cantharides beetles, ox bile (dried), bear bile (liquid, highly restricted), provisionally preserved bovine pituitary glands, frozen porcine pancreas, dried snake bile, provisionally preserved ovine adrenal glands, deer musk grains, raw whale ambergris, prepared cantharides powder, frozen animal glands for pharmaceutical extraction.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 0510?
A common misclassification involves confusing these raw materials with finished pharmaceutical products, which fall under Chapter 30. For example, processed insulin extracted from a pancreas would be in Chapter 30, whereas the raw, provisionally preserved porcine pancreas itself is in 0510. Another error is classifying highly refined chemical extracts (Chapter 29, e.g., isolated hormones) instead of the raw glands. Traders might also mistakenly classify animal fats (Chapter 15) if the product is primarily a fatty substance, but 0510 is specific to secretions and glands for pharmaceutical/perfumery use. The key is the 'provisionally preserved' and 'used in preparation of pharmaceutical products' criteria.
Which countries trade the most under HS code 0510?
Trade in products under 0510 is highly specialized and often involves CITES-listed species, making legal sourcing and international permits paramount. Major exporters for legally sourced items like castoreum (Canada) and bovine glands (New Zealand, Australia, Brazil) supply pharmaceutical and perfumery industries in Europe (France, Switzerland, Germany) and Asia (Japan, China). Ambergris, a rare find, is traded globally from coastal regions where it's found. Due to the high value and sensitive nature, trade is subject to strict veterinary controls, CITES regulations, and national wildlife protection laws, often overriding standard tariff considerations.
How is HS code 0510 structured?
HS code 0510 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 05 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (05) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (10) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.