HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2941.50 – Antibiotics; erythromycin and its derivatives; salts thereof
HS code 2941.50 is the 6-digit subheading for antibiotics, erythromycin and its derivatives, salts thereof. It is used for erythromycin base, erythromycin stearate, erythromycin ethylsuccinate, azithromycin dihydrate and clarithromycin.
What HS 2941.50 covers
This HS code covers erythromycin and its derivatives, along with their salts. Erythromycin is a macrolide antibiotic widely used to treat various bacterial infections, particularly in patients allergic to penicillin. It is effective against respiratory, skin, and soft tissue infections, among others. International trade primarily involves these compounds as bulk active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for pharmaceutical manufacturing. Major importers are pharmaceutical companies globally, including those producing generic drugs for a wide range of markets. Exporters are typically large chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturers, often possessing fermentation capabilities, as erythromycin is naturally derived from microbial sources. Key aspects of this trade include maintaining high purity standards, adhering to international pharmacopoeial requirements, and navigating the complex landscape of regulatory approvals for its use in both human and veterinary medicine, ensuring its continued efficacy and safety.
- Covers
- Erythromycin base
- Erythromycin stearate
- Erythromycin ethylsuccinate
- Azithromycin dihydrate
- Clarithromycin
- Roxithromycin
- Telithromycin
- Examples
- Ery-Tab (erythromycin)
- Zithromax (azithromycin)
- Biaxin (clarithromycin)
Codes often confused with 2941.50
Common mistake. This code can be confused with other macrolide antibiotics not specifically listed under 294150, which might fall under 294190, or with 3004 when prepared as medicaments in dosage forms.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 294150, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 294150 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 69% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was India, with 35% 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 $324M 69% of world exports
- 2 India $103M 22% of world exports
- 3 Italy $14M 3.0% of world exports
World total: $471M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 India $185M 35% of world imports
- 2 Japan $41M 7.9% of world imports
- 3 Croatia $32M 6.0% of world imports
World total: $524M 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 2941.50 3
Brazil splits HS 2941.50 into 3 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 2941.50.10 ClarithromycinClaritromicina
- 2941.50.20 Erythromycin and its saltsEritromicina e seus sais
- 2941.50.90 Other erythromycin derivativesOutros
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 2941.50
What is HS code 294150?
HS code 294150 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Antibiotics; erythromycin and its derivatives; salts thereof. This HS code covers erythromycin and its derivatives, along with their salts. Erythromycin is a macrolide antibiotic widely used to treat various bacterial infections, particularly in patients allergic to penicillin. It is effective against respiratory, skin, and soft tissue infections, among others. International trade primarily involves these compounds as bulk active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for pharmaceutical manufacturing. Major importers are pharmaceutical companies globally, including those producing generic drugs for a wide range of markets. Exporters are typically large chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturers, often possessing fermentation capabilities, as erythromycin is naturally derived from microbial sources. Key aspects of this trade include maintaining high purity standards, adhering to international pharmacopoeial requirements, and navigating the complex landscape of regulatory approvals for its use in both human and veterinary medicine, ensuring its continued efficacy and safety.
What products fall under HS code 294150?
Erythromycin base, Erythromycin stearate, Erythromycin ethylsuccinate, Azithromycin dihydrate, Clarithromycin, Roxithromycin, Telithromycin
What are common misclassifications for HS code 294150?
This code can be confused with other macrolide antibiotics not specifically listed under 294150, which might fall under 294190, or with 3004 when prepared as medicaments in dosage forms.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 294150?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 294150 in UN Comtrade data were China ($324M, 69% of world exports), India ($103M) and Italy ($14M). World exports came to about $471M, 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 294150?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 294150 in UN Comtrade data were India ($185M, 35% of world imports), Japan ($41M) and Croatia ($32M). World imports came to about $524M, 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 294150 structured?
HS code 294150 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 (50) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 294150?
Brazil splits HS code 294150 into 3 NCM codes: 2941.50.10 (Clarithromycin), 2941.50.20 (Erythromycin and its salts), 2941.50.90 (Other erythromycin derivatives). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.