HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2938.90 – Glycosides; natural or reproduced by synthesis, other than rutoside (rutin) and its derivatives
HS code 2938.90 is the 6-digit subheading for glycosides, natural or reproduced by synthesis, other than rutoside (rutin) and its derivatives. It is used for digoxin, digitoxin, sennosides, strophanthin and glycyrrhizin.
What HS 2938.90 covers
This broad category encompasses a wide array of glycosides, both natural and synthetic, excluding rutin and its derivatives which have their own specific code. Glycosides are organic compounds where a sugar molecule is bonded to another functional group via a glycosidic bond. They are incredibly diverse, including cardiac glycosides, saponins, anthraquinone glycosides, and many others, each with unique biological activities. These compounds are extensively used in the pharmaceutical industry as active ingredients, in cosmetics, and as research chemicals. Major importers and exporters include pharmaceutical companies, specialized chemical manufacturers, and botanical extract producers. The trade involves high-purity extracts or synthetically produced compounds, often as bulk active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Key considerations for trade include the specific biological activity, purity standards, and regulatory compliance, especially for potent compounds like cardiac glycosides which are subject to strict controls.
- Covers
- Digoxin
- Digitoxin
- Sennosides
- Strophanthin
- Glycyrrhizin
- Saponins
- Arbutin
- Salicin
- Examples
- Lanoxin (Pfizer - Digoxin)
- Senokot (Purdue Pharma - Sennosides)
- Glycyrrhizinic acid (various suppliers)
- Arbutin powder (various cosmetic suppliers)
- Salicin extract (various herbal suppliers)
Codes often confused with 2938.90
Common mistake. This code is often confused with plant extracts (1302) if the glycosides are not isolated to a high purity, or with other organic compounds (Chapter 29) if their glycosidic nature is overlooked.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 293890, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 293890 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 46% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 24% 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 China $671M 46% of world exports
- 2 France $174M 12% of world exports
- 3 Malaysia $103M 7.0% of world exports
World total: $1.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $338M 24% of world imports
- 2 France $102M 7.3% of world imports
- 3 Germany $86M 6.1% of world imports
World total: $1.4B 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 that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. 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 2938.90 3
Brazil splits HS 2938.90 into 3 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 2938.90.10 DeslanosideDeslanosídio
- 2938.90.20 SteviosideEsteviosídio
- 2938.90.90 Other glycosides and their derivativesOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 29.38 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 2938.90
What is HS code 293890?
HS code 293890 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Glycosides; natural or reproduced by synthesis, other than rutoside (rutin) and its derivatives. This broad category encompasses a wide array of glycosides, both natural and synthetic, excluding rutin and its derivatives which have their own specific code. Glycosides are organic compounds where a sugar molecule is bonded to another functional group via a glycosidic bond. They are incredibly diverse, including cardiac glycosides, saponins, anthraquinone glycosides, and many others, each with unique biological activities. These compounds are extensively used in the pharmaceutical industry as active ingredients, in cosmetics, and as research chemicals. Major importers and exporters include pharmaceutical companies, specialized chemical manufacturers, and botanical extract producers. The trade involves high-purity extracts or synthetically produced compounds, often as bulk active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Key considerations for trade include the specific biological activity, purity standards, and regulatory compliance, especially for potent compounds like cardiac glycosides which are subject to strict controls.
What products fall under HS code 293890?
Digoxin, Digitoxin, Sennosides, Strophanthin, Glycyrrhizin, Saponins, Arbutin, Salicin
What are common misclassifications for HS code 293890?
This code is often confused with plant extracts (1302) if the glycosides are not isolated to a high purity, or with other organic compounds (Chapter 29) if their glycosidic nature is overlooked.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 293890?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 293890 in UN Comtrade data were China ($671M, 46% of world exports), France ($174M) and Malaysia ($103M). World exports came to about $1.5B, 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 293890?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 293890 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($338M, 24% of world imports), France ($102M) and Germany ($86M). World imports came to about $1.4B, 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 293890 structured?
HS code 293890 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (29) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (38) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (90) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 293890?
Brazil splits HS code 293890 into 3 NCM codes: 2938.90.10 (Deslanoside), 2938.90.20 (Stevioside), 2938.90.90 (Other glycosides and their derivatives). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.