HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2939.79 – Alkaloids; of vegetal origin, other than cocaine, ecgonine; salts, esters and other derivatives; n.e.c. in heading no. 2939
HS code 2939.79 is the 6-digit subheading for alkaloids, of vegetal origin, other than cocaine, ecgonine, salts, esters and other derivatives, n.e.c. in heading no. 2939. It is used for quinine sulfate, atropine, scopolamine hydrobromide, strychnine and ergotamine tartrate.
What HS 2939.79 covers
This HS code covers a specific subset of alkaloids derived from plants, excluding well-known controlled substances like cocaine and ecgonine, along with their salts, esters, and other derivatives not specified elsewhere in heading 2939. These plant-derived compounds are critical in the pharmaceutical industry, serving as active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) or precursors for drug synthesis. They are also vital for research and development in medicinal chemistry and biotechnology. Key players in this trade include global pharmaceutical manufacturers, specialty chemical companies, and academic research institutions. The trade involves high-purity, often high-value, compounds, necessitating stringent quality control and adherence to international pharmacopoeial standards. Regulatory compliance, particularly concerning sourcing and purity, is a significant aspect due to their potent biological activity and potential for misuse or contamination. Supply chain integrity is paramount for these sensitive materials.
- Covers
- Quinine sulfate
- Atropine
- Scopolamine hydrobromide
- Strychnine
- Ergotamine tartrate
- Pilocarpine hydrochloride
- Physostigmine salicylate
- Examples
- Atropen (atropine auto-injector)
- Transderm Scop (scopolamine patch)
- Qualaquin (quinine sulfate)
Codes often confused with 2939.79
Common mistake. This code can be confused with 293980 if the vegetal origin is not clearly established, as 293980 covers other natural or synthetic alkaloids. It may also be misclassified under 3004 if the product is already prepared in dosage forms as a medicament.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 293979, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 293979 in UN Comtrade data was Switzerland, with 22% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 26% 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 Switzerland $190M 22% of world exports
- 2 Germany $171M 20% of world exports
- 3 India $151M 17% of world exports
World total: $875M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $241M 26% of world imports
- 2 Germany $117M 13% of world imports
- 3 Italy $89M 9.6% of world imports
World total: $919M 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 2939.79 7
Brazil splits HS 2939.79 into 7 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 2939.79.1 Scopolamine and its derivatives; salts thereofEscopolamina e seus derivados; sais destes produtos Group
- 2939.79.11 N-Butylscopolammonium bromideBrometo de N-butilescopolamônio
- 2939.79.19 Scopolamine; other derivatives and saltsOutros
- 2939.79.20 Theobromine, its derivatives and saltsTeobromina e seus derivados; sais destes produtos
- 2939.79.3 Pilocarpine and its saltsPilocarpina e seus sais Group
- 2939.79.31 Pilocarpine, its nitrate and hydrochloridePilocarpina, seu nitrato e seu cloridrato
- 2939.79.39 Other pilocarpine saltsOutros
- 2939.79.40 ThiocolchicosideTiocolquicósido
- 2939.79.90 Other alkaloids of vegetal originOutros
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 2939.79
What is HS code 293979?
HS code 293979 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Alkaloids; of vegetal origin, other than cocaine, ecgonine; salts, esters and other derivatives; n.e.c. in heading no. 2939. This HS code covers a specific subset of alkaloids derived from plants, excluding well-known controlled substances like cocaine and ecgonine, along with their salts, esters, and other derivatives not specified elsewhere in heading 2939. These plant-derived compounds are critical in the pharmaceutical industry, serving as active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) or precursors for drug synthesis. They are also vital for research and development in medicinal chemistry and biotechnology. Key players in this trade include global pharmaceutical manufacturers, specialty chemical companies, and academic research institutions. The trade involves high-purity, often high-value, compounds, necessitating stringent quality control and adherence to international pharmacopoeial standards. Regulatory compliance, particularly concerning sourcing and purity, is a significant aspect due to their potent biological activity and potential for misuse or contamination. Supply chain integrity is paramount for these sensitive materials.
What products fall under HS code 293979?
Quinine sulfate, Atropine, Scopolamine hydrobromide, Strychnine, Ergotamine tartrate, Pilocarpine hydrochloride, Physostigmine salicylate
What are common misclassifications for HS code 293979?
This code can be confused with 293980 if the vegetal origin is not clearly established, as 293980 covers other natural or synthetic alkaloids. It may also be misclassified under 3004 if the product is already prepared in dosage forms as a medicament.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 293979?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 293979 in UN Comtrade data were Switzerland ($190M, 22% of world exports), Germany ($171M) and India ($151M). World exports came to about $875M, 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 293979?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 293979 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($241M, 26% of world imports), Germany ($117M) and Italy ($89M). World imports came to about $919M, 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 293979 structured?
HS code 293979 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 (79) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 293979?
Brazil splits HS code 293979 into 7 NCM codes: 2939.79.11 (N-Butylscopolammonium bromide), 2939.79.19 (Scopolamine; other derivatives and salts), 2939.79.20 (Theobromine, its derivatives and salts), 2939.79.31 (Pilocarpine, its nitrate and hydrochloride), 2939.79.39 (Other pilocarpine salts), 2939.79.40 (Thiocolchicoside), 2939.79.90 (Other alkaloids of vegetal origin). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.