HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0510.00 – Animal products; ambergris, castoreum, civet, musk, cantharides, bile (dried or not) glands and other animal products, for pharmaceutical purposes, fresh, chilled, frozen or otherwise provisionally preserved
HS code 0510.00 is the 6-digit subheading for animal products, ambergris, castoreum, civet, musk, cantharides, bile (dried or not) glands and other animal products, for pharmaceutical purposes, fresh, chilled, frozen or otherwise provisionally preserved. It is used for ambergris, castoreum, civet musk, deer musk and bear bile.
What HS 0510.00 covers
This highly specialized category includes rare and valuable animal products such as ambergris, castoreum, civet, musk, cantharides, bile (dried or not), glands, and other animal products, primarily for pharmaceutical purposes, fresh, chilled, frozen, or otherwise provisionally preserved. Many of these substances are derived from protected species, making their trade subject to stringent CITES regulations and national wildlife laws. Importers are typically pharmaceutical companies, perfumers, or traditional medicine practitioners seeking unique natural compounds. Exporters are often countries with specific animal populations or specialized collection/processing facilities. Ethical sourcing, sustainability, and legal compliance are paramount, as synthetic alternatives are increasingly sought due to conservation concerns and the high value of these natural products.
- Covers
- Ambergris
- Castoreum
- Civet musk
- Deer musk
- Bear bile
- Cantharides (dried beetles)
- Animal glands for extracts
- Snake venom (provisionally preserved)
- Examples
- High-end perfumes (using ambergris/musk as fixatives)
- traditional Chinese medicine formulations
- pharmaceutical research compounds
- specific homeopathic remedies
Codes often confused with 0510.00
Common mistake. Can be confused with 3001 (glands/organs for organo-therapeutic uses, dried or powdered) if further processed, or 1302 (vegetable saps/extracts) if not clearly animal-derived. The key is the specific animal origin and minimal processing.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 051000, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 051000 in UN Comtrade data was Brazil, with 42% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Hong Kong, with 34% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Brazil $176M 42% of world exports
- 2 Russia* ~$38M 9.1% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 United States $30M 7.2% of world exports
World total: $418M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Hong Kong $156M 34% of world imports
- 2 Germany $84M 18% of world imports
- 3 South Korea $45M 9.8% of world imports
World total: $459M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
How these figures are built
109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).
Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.
Brazil NCM codes for 0510.00 2
Brazil splits HS 0510.00 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 0510.00.10 Bovine pancreas for pharmaceutical usePâncreas de bovino
- 0510.00.90 Other ambergris, musk, bile and gland productsOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 05.10 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 0510.00
What is HS code 051000?
HS code 051000 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Animal products; ambergris, castoreum, civet, musk, cantharides, bile (dried or not) glands and other animal products, for pharmaceutical purposes, fresh, chilled, frozen or otherwise provisionally preserved. This highly specialized category includes rare and valuable animal products such as ambergris, castoreum, civet, musk, cantharides, bile (dried or not), glands, and other animal products, primarily for pharmaceutical purposes, fresh, chilled, frozen, or otherwise provisionally preserved. Many of these substances are derived from protected species, making their trade subject to stringent CITES regulations and national wildlife laws. Importers are typically pharmaceutical companies, perfumers, or traditional medicine practitioners seeking unique natural compounds. Exporters are often countries with specific animal populations or specialized collection/processing facilities. Ethical sourcing, sustainability, and legal compliance are paramount, as synthetic alternatives are increasingly sought due to conservation concerns and the high value of these natural products.
What products fall under HS code 051000?
Ambergris, castoreum, civet musk, deer musk, bear bile, cantharides (dried beetles), animal glands for extracts, snake venom (provisionally preserved)
What are common misclassifications for HS code 051000?
Can be confused with 3001 (glands/organs for organo-therapeutic uses, dried or powdered) if further processed, or 1302 (vegetable saps/extracts) if not clearly animal-derived. The key is the specific animal origin and minimal processing.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 051000?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 051000 in UN Comtrade data were Brazil ($176M, 42% of world exports), Russia (about $38M) and the United States ($30M). World exports came to about $418M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 051000?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 051000 in UN Comtrade data were Hong Kong ($156M, 34% of world imports), Germany ($84M) and South Korea ($45M). World imports came to about $459M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
How is HS code 051000 structured?
HS code 051000 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (05) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (10) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (00) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 051000?
Brazil splits HS code 051000 into 2 NCM codes: 0510.00.10 (Bovine pancreas for pharmaceutical use), 0510.00.90 (Other ambergris, musk, bile and gland products). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.