HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2939.80 – Alkaloids; natural or reproduced by synthesis, and their salts, esters and other derivatives n.e.c. in heading no. 2939
HS code 2939.80 is the 6-digit subheading for alkaloids, natural or reproduced by synthesis, and their salts, esters and other derivatives n.e.c. in heading no. 2939. It is used for synthetic caffeine, theophylline, synthetic ephedrine, pseudoephedrine and synthetic nicotine.
What HS 2939.80 covers
This HS code serves as a catch-all for alkaloids, whether natural (excluding vegetal alkaloids specifically covered elsewhere in 2939) or reproduced by synthesis, along with their salts, esters, and other derivatives, not specified in other subheadings of 2939. This category is crucial for the global pharmaceutical industry, providing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), intermediates for drug synthesis, and reference standards for analytical testing. It also finds applications in specialized chemical production and advanced research. Trade in these compounds involves high-purity substances, often in smaller, high-value quantities. Key participants are global pharmaceutical companies, specialty chemical manufacturers, and research institutions. Due to the potency and regulatory sensitivity of many alkaloids, strict quality control, intellectual property protection, and adherence to international drug control regulations are paramount. Supply chain transparency and security are also critical considerations.
- Covers
- Synthetic caffeine
- Theophylline
- Synthetic ephedrine
- Pseudoephedrine
- Synthetic nicotine
- Codeine phosphate
- Morphine sulfate
- Examples
- Sudafed (pseudoephedrine)
- Nicorette (nicotine replacement therapy)
- various caffeine supplements
Codes often confused with 2939.80
Common mistake. This code is often confused with 293979 if the origin (synthetic vs. specific vegetal) is not precisely determined. It can also be misclassified under 3004 when the alkaloids are formulated into finished medicaments.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 293980, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 293980 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 46% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 36% 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 China $32M 46% of world exports
- 2 India $15M 21% of world exports
- 3 South Africa $3.9M 5.6% of world exports
World total: $69M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $30M 36% of world imports
- 2 Austria $15M 18% of world imports
- 3 United Kingdom $5.6M 6.7% of world imports
World total: $83M 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 2939.80 2
Brazil splits HS 2939.80 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
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 2939.80
What is HS code 293980?
HS code 293980 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Alkaloids; natural or reproduced by synthesis, and their salts, esters and other derivatives n.e.c. in heading no. 2939. This HS code serves as a catch-all for alkaloids, whether natural (excluding vegetal alkaloids specifically covered elsewhere in 2939) or reproduced by synthesis, along with their salts, esters, and other derivatives, not specified in other subheadings of 2939. This category is crucial for the global pharmaceutical industry, providing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), intermediates for drug synthesis, and reference standards for analytical testing. It also finds applications in specialized chemical production and advanced research. Trade in these compounds involves high-purity substances, often in smaller, high-value quantities. Key participants are global pharmaceutical companies, specialty chemical manufacturers, and research institutions. Due to the potency and regulatory sensitivity of many alkaloids, strict quality control, intellectual property protection, and adherence to international drug control regulations are paramount. Supply chain transparency and security are also critical considerations.
What products fall under HS code 293980?
Synthetic caffeine, Theophylline, Synthetic ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine, Synthetic nicotine, Codeine phosphate, Morphine sulfate
What are common misclassifications for HS code 293980?
This code is often confused with 293979 if the origin (synthetic vs. specific vegetal) is not precisely determined. It can also be misclassified under 3004 when the alkaloids are formulated into finished medicaments.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 293980?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 293980 in UN Comtrade data were China ($32M, 46% of world exports), India ($15M) and South Africa ($3.9M). World exports came to about $69M, 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 293980?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 293980 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($30M, 36% of world imports), Austria ($15M) and the United Kingdom ($5.6M). World imports came to about $83M, 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 293980 structured?
HS code 293980 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 (80) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 293980?
Brazil splits HS code 293980 into 2 NCM codes: 2939.80.10 (Saxitoxin), 2939.80.90 (Other alkaloids not of vegetal origin). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.