HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2939.72 – Alkaloids; of vegetal origin, cocaine, ecgonine; salts, esters and other derivatives thereof
HS code 2939.72 is the 6-digit subheading for alkaloids, of vegetal origin, cocaine, ecgonine, salts, esters and other derivatives thereof. It is used for cocaine hydrochloride, ecgonine methyl ester, benzoylecgonine, cocaine base and ecgonine.
What HS 2939.72 covers
This HS code is exclusively for alkaloids of vegetal origin, specifically cocaine, ecgonine, and their salts, esters, and other derivatives. These are highly potent controlled substances with significant medical applications (e.g., topical anesthetic) but also a high potential for abuse and illicit trade. Consequently, international trade is subject to the most stringent controls under the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. Only a very limited number of highly licensed pharmaceutical companies and government agencies are permitted to import or export these substances, strictly for legitimate medical or scientific purposes. Trade involves extreme security measures, comprehensive documentation, and strict compliance with national and international drug enforcement agencies. Illicit trade falls outside this classification.
- Covers
- Cocaine hydrochloride
- Ecgonine methyl ester
- Benzoylecgonine
- Cocaine base
- Ecgonine
- Examples
- Pharmaceutical-grade cocaine for medical use (e.g., topical anesthetic)
- research-grade standards from NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse)
Codes often confused with 2939.72
Common mistake. Due to its extreme specificity and notoriety, misclassification is rare, but other narcotic alkaloids might fall under 2939.99 if not explicitly listed.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 293972, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 293972 in UN Comtrade data was the United Kingdom, with 59% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 38% 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 United Kingdom $2.7M 59% of world exports
- 2 Norway $613K 13% of world exports
- 3 Germany $455K 9.8% of world exports
World total: $4.7M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Netherlands $1.6M 38% of world imports
- 2 Australia $527K 13% of world imports
- 3 Germany $497K 12% of world imports
World total: $4.2M 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 2939.72 3
Brazil splits HS 2939.72 into 3 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 2939.72.10 Cocaine and its saltsCocaína e seus sais
- 2939.72.20 Ecgonine and its saltsEcgonina e seus sais
- 2939.72.90 Other cocaine and ecgonine derivativesOutros
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 2939.72
What is HS code 293972?
HS code 293972 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Alkaloids; of vegetal origin, cocaine, ecgonine; salts, esters and other derivatives thereof. This HS code is exclusively for alkaloids of vegetal origin, specifically cocaine, ecgonine, and their salts, esters, and other derivatives. These are highly potent controlled substances with significant medical applications (e.g., topical anesthetic) but also a high potential for abuse and illicit trade. Consequently, international trade is subject to the most stringent controls under the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. Only a very limited number of highly licensed pharmaceutical companies and government agencies are permitted to import or export these substances, strictly for legitimate medical or scientific purposes. Trade involves extreme security measures, comprehensive documentation, and strict compliance with national and international drug enforcement agencies. Illicit trade falls outside this classification.
What products fall under HS code 293972?
Cocaine hydrochloride, Ecgonine methyl ester, Benzoylecgonine, Cocaine base, Ecgonine
What are common misclassifications for HS code 293972?
Due to its extreme specificity and notoriety, misclassification is rare, but other narcotic alkaloids might fall under 2939.99 if not explicitly listed.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 293972?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 293972 in UN Comtrade data were the United Kingdom ($2.7M, 59% of world exports), Norway ($613K) and Germany ($455K). World exports came to about $4.7M, 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 293972?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 293972 in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($1.6M, 38% of world imports), Australia ($527K) and Germany ($497K). World imports came to about $4.2M, 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 293972 structured?
HS code 293972 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 (72) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 293972?
Brazil splits HS code 293972 into 3 NCM codes: 2939.72.10 (Cocaine and its salts), 2939.72.20 (Ecgonine and its salts), 2939.72.90 (Other cocaine and ecgonine derivatives). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.