HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2939.30 – Alkaloids; caffeine and its salts
HS code 2939.30 is the 6-digit subheading for alkaloids, caffeine and its salts. It is used for caffeine anhydrous, caffeine citrate, caffeine benzoate, caffeine monohydrate and theine.
What HS 2939.30 covers
This HS code specifically covers caffeine and its various salts. Caffeine is a widely consumed natural stimulant found in coffee beans, tea leaves, cocoa beans, and guarana. It is a methylxanthine alkaloid known for its psychoactive effects, primarily increasing alertness and reducing fatigue. In international trade, caffeine is a significant commodity, used extensively in the food and beverage industry (soft drinks, energy drinks), pharmaceuticals (pain relievers, alertness aids), and dietary supplements. It is typically traded as a high-purity white powder, either extracted from natural sources (decaffeination by-product) or synthesized chemically. Major importers and exporters include large food and beverage corporations, pharmaceutical companies, and chemical manufacturers. Key things to know include the global demand driven by consumer products, the relatively straightforward synthesis or extraction processes, and the quality standards required for different applications (e.g., food grade vs. pharmaceutical grade).
- Covers
- Caffeine anhydrous
- Caffeine citrate
- Caffeine benzoate
- Caffeine monohydrate
- Theine
- Guaranine
- Examples
- Red Bull (contains caffeine)
- Coca-Cola (contains caffeine)
- Excedrin (contains caffeine)
- NoDoz (contains caffeine)
- Caffeine powder (various supplement brands)
Codes often confused with 2939.30
Common mistake. This code is specific to caffeine and its salts; it should not be confused with other methylxanthines like theophylline or theobromine (293999) or with coffee/tea extracts containing caffeine (2101).
Top exporters and importers of HS code 293930, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 293930 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 31% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 21% 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 Germany $175M 31% of world exports
- 2 China $170M 31% of world exports
- 3 India $70M 13% of world exports
World total: $556M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $135M 21% of world imports
- 2 Germany $69M 11% of world imports
- 3 Ireland $69M 11% of world imports
World total: $634M 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 2939.30 2
Brazil splits HS 2939.30 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 29.39 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 2939.30
What is HS code 293930?
HS code 293930 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Alkaloids; caffeine and its salts. This HS code specifically covers caffeine and its various salts. Caffeine is a widely consumed natural stimulant found in coffee beans, tea leaves, cocoa beans, and guarana. It is a methylxanthine alkaloid known for its psychoactive effects, primarily increasing alertness and reducing fatigue. In international trade, caffeine is a significant commodity, used extensively in the food and beverage industry (soft drinks, energy drinks), pharmaceuticals (pain relievers, alertness aids), and dietary supplements. It is typically traded as a high-purity white powder, either extracted from natural sources (decaffeination by-product) or synthesized chemically. Major importers and exporters include large food and beverage corporations, pharmaceutical companies, and chemical manufacturers. Key things to know include the global demand driven by consumer products, the relatively straightforward synthesis or extraction processes, and the quality standards required for different applications (e.g., food grade vs. pharmaceutical grade).
What products fall under HS code 293930?
Caffeine anhydrous, Caffeine citrate, Caffeine benzoate, Caffeine monohydrate, Theine, Guaranine
What are common misclassifications for HS code 293930?
This code is specific to caffeine and its salts; it should not be confused with other methylxanthines like theophylline or theobromine (293999) or with coffee/tea extracts containing caffeine (2101).
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 293930?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 293930 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($175M, 31% of world exports), China ($170M) and India ($70M). World exports came to about $556M, 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 293930?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 293930 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($135M, 21% of world imports), Germany ($69M) and Ireland ($69M). World imports came to about $634M, 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 293930 structured?
HS code 293930 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (29) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (39) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (30) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 293930?
Brazil splits HS code 293930 into 2 NCM codes: 2939.30.10 (Caffeine), 2939.30.20 (Caffeine salts). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.