HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2939.63 – Alkaloids; of rye ergot and their derivatives, lysergic acid and its salts
HS code 2939.63 is the 6-digit subheading for alkaloids, of rye ergot and their derivatives, lysergic acid and its salts. It is used for lysergic acid monohydrate, lysergic acid tartrate, lysergic acid amide (LSA - naturally occurring in some plants) and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD - illicit, but derived from this precursor).
What HS 2939.63 covers
This HS code specifically covers lysergic acid and its salts, which are crucial precursors derived from ergot alkaloids. Lysergic acid itself has no direct therapeutic use but is infamous as the primary precursor for the illicit synthesis of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), a potent hallucinogen. Consequently, lysergic acid and its salts are among the most tightly controlled substances globally, listed under international drug control conventions (e.g., UN Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances). Legitimate trade is extremely limited, primarily to specialized chemical companies supplying research institutions or for the production of other controlled pharmaceutical derivatives under strict government oversight. Importers and exporters face rigorous licensing, reporting, and security requirements, with transactions heavily scrutinized by national and international drug enforcement agencies. Any trade requires meticulous documentation and adherence to anti-diversion measures.
- Covers
- Lysergic acid monohydrate
- Lysergic acid tartrate
- Lysergic acid amide (LSA - naturally occurring in some plants)
- Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD - illicit, but derived from this precursor)
- Examples
- Research-grade lysergic acid
- analytical standards for forensic science
- precursor for pharmaceutical synthesis (under strict control)
Codes often confused with 2939.63
Common mistake. This code is highly specific to lysergic acid; it must not be confused with other ergot alkaloids like ergotamine (293962) or ergometrine (293961), as its precursor status for LSD makes it uniquely controlled.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 293963, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 293963 in UN Comtrade data was Hungary, with 86% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Czechia, with 77% 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 Hungary $2.2M 86% of world exports
- 2 United States $301K 12% of world exports
- 3 Italy $55K 2.1% of world exports
World total: $2.6M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Czechia $2.2M 77% of world imports
- 2 United Kingdom $360K 12% of world imports
- 3 Egypt $220K 7.6% of world imports
World total: $2.9M 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 2939.63
Brazil does not split HS 2939.63: its NCM code is 2939.63.00.
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 2939.63
What is HS code 293963?
HS code 293963 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Alkaloids; of rye ergot and their derivatives, lysergic acid and its salts. This HS code specifically covers lysergic acid and its salts, which are crucial precursors derived from ergot alkaloids. Lysergic acid itself has no direct therapeutic use but is infamous as the primary precursor for the illicit synthesis of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), a potent hallucinogen. Consequently, lysergic acid and its salts are among the most tightly controlled substances globally, listed under international drug control conventions (e.g., UN Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances). Legitimate trade is extremely limited, primarily to specialized chemical companies supplying research institutions or for the production of other controlled pharmaceutical derivatives under strict government oversight. Importers and exporters face rigorous licensing, reporting, and security requirements, with transactions heavily scrutinized by national and international drug enforcement agencies. Any trade requires meticulous documentation and adherence to anti-diversion measures.
What products fall under HS code 293963?
Lysergic acid monohydrate, Lysergic acid tartrate, Lysergic acid amide (LSA - naturally occurring in some plants), Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD - illicit, but derived from this precursor)
What are common misclassifications for HS code 293963?
This code is highly specific to lysergic acid; it must not be confused with other ergot alkaloids like ergotamine (293962) or ergometrine (293961), as its precursor status for LSD makes it uniquely controlled.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 293963?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 293963 in UN Comtrade data were Hungary ($2.2M, 86% of world exports), the United States ($301K) and Italy ($55K). World exports came to about $2.6M, 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 293963?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 293963 in UN Comtrade data were Czechia ($2.2M, 77% of world imports), the United Kingdom ($360K) and Egypt ($220K). World imports came to about $2.9M, 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 293963 structured?
HS code 293963 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 (63) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 293963?
In Brazil, HS code 293963 is NCM 2939.63.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.