HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2939.42 – Alkaloids; of ephedrine and their derivatives; pseudoephedrine (INN) and its salts
HS code 2939.42 is the 6-digit subheading for alkaloids, of ephedrine and their derivatives, pseudoephedrine (INN) and its salts. It is used for pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, pseudoephedrine sulfate, D-Pseudoephedrine, L-Pseudoephedrine and pseudoephedrine base.
What HS 2939.42 covers
This HS code is dedicated to pseudoephedrine (INN) and its salts, a stereoisomer of ephedrine. Pseudoephedrine is a widely used decongestant found in many over-the-counter cold and allergy medications. Like ephedrine, it can be extracted from certain Ephedra species or synthesized. Its trade is also heavily regulated globally due to its potential use as a precursor in the illicit manufacture of methamphetamine. International trade primarily involves licensed pharmaceutical companies and chemical manufacturers. Importers are typically drug formulators, while exporters are API producers. Key things to know include the strict regulatory oversight, including precursor chemical controls, licensing requirements, and reporting obligations to prevent diversion. Despite its widespread legitimate use, its controlled status means that trade volumes and destinations are closely monitored by national and international authorities. The market is driven by demand for cold and flu remedies.
- Covers
- Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride
- Pseudoephedrine sulfate
- D-Pseudoephedrine
- L-Pseudoephedrine
- Pseudoephedrine base
- Examples
- Sudafed (Johnson & Johnson)
- Claritin-D (Bayer)
- Zyrtec-D (Johnson & Johnson)
- Mucinex D (Reckitt Benckiser)
- Pseudoephedrine HCl API (various suppliers)
Codes often confused with 2939.42
Common mistake. This code is specifically for pseudoephedrine, differentiating it from ephedrine (293941) and cathine (293943), and should not be confused with finished cold medications (Chapter 30).
Top exporters and importers of HS code 293942, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 293942 in UN Comtrade data was India, with 53% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 15% 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 India $30M 53% of world exports
- 2 Germany $20M 35% of world exports
- 3 Switzerland $2.4M 4.2% of world exports
World total: $57M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $8.5M 15% of world imports
- 2 Switzerland $3.5M 6.3% of world imports
- 3 Egypt $3.2M 5.8% of world imports
World total: $56M 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 code for 2939.42
Brazil does not split HS 2939.42: its NCM code is 2939.42.00.
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 2939.42
What is HS code 293942?
HS code 293942 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Alkaloids; of ephedrine and their derivatives; pseudoephedrine (INN) and its salts. This HS code is dedicated to pseudoephedrine (INN) and its salts, a stereoisomer of ephedrine. Pseudoephedrine is a widely used decongestant found in many over-the-counter cold and allergy medications. Like ephedrine, it can be extracted from certain Ephedra species or synthesized. Its trade is also heavily regulated globally due to its potential use as a precursor in the illicit manufacture of methamphetamine. International trade primarily involves licensed pharmaceutical companies and chemical manufacturers. Importers are typically drug formulators, while exporters are API producers. Key things to know include the strict regulatory oversight, including precursor chemical controls, licensing requirements, and reporting obligations to prevent diversion. Despite its widespread legitimate use, its controlled status means that trade volumes and destinations are closely monitored by national and international authorities. The market is driven by demand for cold and flu remedies.
What products fall under HS code 293942?
Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, Pseudoephedrine sulfate, D-Pseudoephedrine, L-Pseudoephedrine, Pseudoephedrine base
What are common misclassifications for HS code 293942?
This code is specifically for pseudoephedrine, differentiating it from ephedrine (293941) and cathine (293943), and should not be confused with finished cold medications (Chapter 30).
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 293942?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 293942 in UN Comtrade data were India ($30M, 53% of world exports), Germany ($20M) and Switzerland ($2.4M). World exports came to about $57M, 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 293942?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 293942 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($8.5M, 15% of world imports), Switzerland ($3.5M) and Egypt ($3.2M). World imports came to about $56M, 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 293942 structured?
HS code 293942 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 (42) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 293942?
In Brazil, HS code 293942 is NCM 2939.42.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.