HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2939.43 – Alkaloids; of ephedrine and their derivatives; cathine (INN) and its salts
HS code 2939.43 is the 6-digit subheading for alkaloids, of ephedrine and their derivatives, cathine (INN) and its salts. It is used for ephedrine hydrochloride, pseudoephedrine sulfate, cathine (norpseudoephedrine), ephedrine base and pseudoephedrine hydrochloride.
What HS 2939.43 covers
This HS code covers alkaloids of ephedrine and their derivatives, specifically including cathine (INN) and its salts. These compounds are naturally occurring or synthetic substances with stimulant properties, often used in pharmaceuticals as decongestants, bronchodilators, or appetite suppressants. Due to their stimulant effects and potential for misuse or diversion into illicit drug manufacturing, international trade in these substances is highly regulated under international drug control conventions. Only licensed pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors, and research institutions are authorized to import or export these compounds, requiring strict adherence to national and international drug control laws, detailed record-keeping, and secure handling. Purity and pharmaceutical grade are essential.
- Covers
- Ephedrine hydrochloride
- Pseudoephedrine sulfate
- Cathine (norpseudoephedrine)
- Ephedrine base
- Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride
- Examples
- Sudafed (Pseudoephedrine)
- specific pharmaceutical raw materials from companies like Siegfried
- Cambrex
Codes often confused with 2939.43
Common mistake. This code can be confused with other ephedrine derivatives in 2939.49 or other stimulant alkaloids in 2939.99 if the specific compound is not cathine or explicitly listed here.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 293943, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 293943 in UN Comtrade data was India, with 61% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Egypt, with 88% 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 $246K 61% of world exports
- 2 Romania $144K 35% of world exports
- 3 Poland $9K 2.1% of world exports
World total: $405K Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Egypt $216K 88% of world imports
- 2 Nigeria $7K 3.0% of world imports
- 3 Belarus* ~$7K 2.9% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $245K 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 code for 2939.43
Brazil does not split HS 2939.43: its NCM code is 2939.43.00.
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 2939.43
What is HS code 293943?
HS code 293943 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Alkaloids; of ephedrine and their derivatives; cathine (INN) and its salts. This HS code covers alkaloids of ephedrine and their derivatives, specifically including cathine (INN) and its salts. These compounds are naturally occurring or synthetic substances with stimulant properties, often used in pharmaceuticals as decongestants, bronchodilators, or appetite suppressants. Due to their stimulant effects and potential for misuse or diversion into illicit drug manufacturing, international trade in these substances is highly regulated under international drug control conventions. Only licensed pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors, and research institutions are authorized to import or export these compounds, requiring strict adherence to national and international drug control laws, detailed record-keeping, and secure handling. Purity and pharmaceutical grade are essential.
What products fall under HS code 293943?
Ephedrine hydrochloride, Pseudoephedrine sulfate, Cathine (norpseudoephedrine), Ephedrine base, Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride
What are common misclassifications for HS code 293943?
This code can be confused with other ephedrine derivatives in 2939.49 or other stimulant alkaloids in 2939.99 if the specific compound is not cathine or explicitly listed here.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 293943?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 293943 in UN Comtrade data were India ($246K, 61% of world exports), Romania ($144K) and Poland ($9K). World exports came to about $405K, 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 293943?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 293943 in UN Comtrade data were Egypt ($216K, 88% of world imports), Nigeria ($7K) and Belarus (about $7K). World imports came to about $245K, 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 293943 structured?
HS code 293943 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 (43) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 293943?
In Brazil, HS code 293943 is NCM 2939.43.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.