HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 2941.40 – Antibiotics; chloramphenicol and its derivatives; salts thereof

HS code 2941.40 is the 6-digit subheading for antibiotics, chloramphenicol and its derivatives, salts thereof. It is used for chloramphenicol base, chloramphenicol palmitate, chloramphenicol succinate and thiamphenicol.

What HS 2941.40 covers

This HS code covers chloramphenicol and its derivatives, along with their salts. Chloramphenicol is a potent, broad-spectrum antibiotic, but its use is generally restricted due to potential severe side effects, such as bone marrow suppression. It is typically reserved for serious infections where other antibiotics are ineffective or contraindicated, and it has specific applications in veterinary medicine. Trade in these compounds involves bulk active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for specialized pharmaceutical manufacturing. Importers are typically pharmaceutical companies producing niche or essential medicines, often for specific markets or conditions requiring this particular antibiotic. Exporters are specialized chemical manufacturers capable of synthesizing this complex molecule. Key considerations include extremely strict regulatory oversight, precise quality control, and careful management of its limited and controlled distribution due to its toxicity profile and the need to prevent misuse.

Covers
  • Chloramphenicol base
  • Chloramphenicol palmitate
  • Chloramphenicol succinate
  • Thiamphenicol
Examples
  • Chloromycetin (chloramphenicol eye drops/ointment)
  • various veterinary chloramphenicol formulations

Codes often confused with 2941.40

Common mistake. This code could be confused with other broad-spectrum antibiotics under 294190 if not specifically identified, or with 3004 when formulated into medicaments in dosage forms.

2941.90Antibiotics; n.e.c. in heading no. 294130.04Medicaments; (not goods of heading no. 3002, 3005 or 3006) consisting of mixed or unmixed products for therapeutic or prophylactic use, put up in measured doses (incl. those in the form of transdermal admin. systems) or packed for retail sale

Top exporters and importers of HS code 294140, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 294140 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 91% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Brazil, with 14% 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. 1 China $112M
  2. 2 India $2.6M
  3. 3 Germany $2.3M

World total: $122M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Brazil $15M
  2. 2 Vietnam* ~$8.7M
  3. 3 Germany $8.5M

World total: $109M 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 codes for 2941.40 4

Brazil splits HS 2941.40 into 4 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.

  1. 2941.40.1 Chloramphenicol and its estersCloranfenicol e seus ésteres Group
  2. 2941.40.11 Chloramphenicol and its palmitate and succinatesCloranfenicol, seu palmitato, seu succinato e seu hemissuccinato
  3. 2941.40.19 Other chloramphenicol estersOutros
  4. 2941.40.20 Thiamphenicol and its estersTianfenicol e seus ésteres
  5. 2941.40.90 Other chloramphenicol derivatives and saltsOutros

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 29.41 →

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.

Questions about HS 2941.40

What is HS code 294140?

HS code 294140 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Antibiotics; chloramphenicol and its derivatives; salts thereof. This HS code covers chloramphenicol and its derivatives, along with their salts. Chloramphenicol is a potent, broad-spectrum antibiotic, but its use is generally restricted due to potential severe side effects, such as bone marrow suppression. It is typically reserved for serious infections where other antibiotics are ineffective or contraindicated, and it has specific applications in veterinary medicine. Trade in these compounds involves bulk active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for specialized pharmaceutical manufacturing. Importers are typically pharmaceutical companies producing niche or essential medicines, often for specific markets or conditions requiring this particular antibiotic. Exporters are specialized chemical manufacturers capable of synthesizing this complex molecule. Key considerations include extremely strict regulatory oversight, precise quality control, and careful management of its limited and controlled distribution due to its toxicity profile and the need to prevent misuse.

What products fall under HS code 294140?

Chloramphenicol base, Chloramphenicol palmitate, Chloramphenicol succinate, Thiamphenicol

What are common misclassifications for HS code 294140?

This code could be confused with other broad-spectrum antibiotics under 294190 if not specifically identified, or with 3004 when formulated into medicaments in dosage forms.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 294140?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 294140 in UN Comtrade data were China ($112M, 91% of world exports), India ($2.6M) and Germany ($2.3M). World exports came to about $122M, 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 294140?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 294140 in UN Comtrade data were Brazil ($15M, 14% of world imports), Vietnam (about $8.7M) and Germany ($8.5M). World imports came to about $109M, 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 294140 structured?

HS code 294140 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (29) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (41) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (40) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 294140?

Brazil splits HS code 294140 into 4 NCM codes: 2941.40.11 (Chloramphenicol and its palmitate and succinates), 2941.40.19 (Other chloramphenicol esters), 2941.40.20 (Thiamphenicol and its esters), 2941.40.90 (Other chloramphenicol derivatives and salts). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.