HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 3001.20 – Glands and other organs; extracts of glands or other organs or of their secretions, for organo-therapeutic uses
HS code 3001.20 is the 6-digit subheading for glands and other organs, extracts of glands or other organs or of their secretions, for organo-therapeutic uses. It is used for pancreatic extracts, thyroid extracts, adrenal cortex extracts, pituitary gland extracts and ovarian extracts.
What HS 3001.20 covers
This category encompasses a specialized segment of the pharmaceutical trade, dealing with biological materials derived from animal or human glands and organs, specifically prepared for therapeutic applications. These extracts are crucial for developing treatments for various medical conditions, often involving hormone replacement or enzyme deficiencies. Importers are typically pharmaceutical manufacturers, research institutions, and specialized clinics, while exporters are often countries with robust biotechnology sectors and access to raw biological materials, such as those with significant livestock industries or advanced medical waste processing capabilities. Key considerations in this trade include stringent regulatory oversight, cold chain logistics, ethical sourcing of biological materials, and the high value associated with these highly processed and purified substances. The global market for these products is driven by advancements in biotechnology and an aging population requiring sophisticated medical interventions.
- Covers
- Pancreatic extracts
- Thyroid extracts
- Adrenal cortex extracts
- Pituitary gland extracts
- Ovarian extracts
- Liver extracts for therapy
- Thymus extracts
- Examples
- Pancreatin (e.g., Creon)
- Thyroid USP (e.g., Armour Thyroid)
- Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) preparations
- Heparin (active ingredient, historically from animal organs)
- Insulin (historically from animal pancreas)
Codes often confused with 3001.20
Common mistake. This code can be confused with 300190 if the extracts are not specifically for "organo-therapeutic uses" or with 3004 (medicaments) if they are already formulated into finished dosage forms.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 300120, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 300120 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 30% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 10% 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 States $84M 30% of world exports
- 2 Denmark $43M 15% of world exports
- 3 Italy $24M 8.6% of world exports
World total: $278M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $22M 10% of world imports
- 2 United Kingdom $22M 10% of world imports
- 3 Italy $20M 9.3% of world imports
World total: $219M 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 3001.20 2
Brazil splits HS 3001.20 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 3001.20.10 Liver extracts for organo-therapeutic usesDe fígado
- 3001.20.90 Other extracts of glands, organs or secretionsOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 30.01 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 3001.20
What is HS code 300120?
HS code 300120 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Glands and other organs; extracts of glands or other organs or of their secretions, for organo-therapeutic uses. This category encompasses a specialized segment of the pharmaceutical trade, dealing with biological materials derived from animal or human glands and organs, specifically prepared for therapeutic applications. These extracts are crucial for developing treatments for various medical conditions, often involving hormone replacement or enzyme deficiencies. Importers are typically pharmaceutical manufacturers, research institutions, and specialized clinics, while exporters are often countries with robust biotechnology sectors and access to raw biological materials, such as those with significant livestock industries or advanced medical waste processing capabilities. Key considerations in this trade include stringent regulatory oversight, cold chain logistics, ethical sourcing of biological materials, and the high value associated with these highly processed and purified substances. The global market for these products is driven by advancements in biotechnology and an aging population requiring sophisticated medical interventions.
What products fall under HS code 300120?
Pancreatic extracts, Thyroid extracts, Adrenal cortex extracts, Pituitary gland extracts, Ovarian extracts, Liver extracts for therapy, Thymus extracts
What are common misclassifications for HS code 300120?
This code can be confused with 300190 if the extracts are not specifically for "organo-therapeutic uses" or with 3004 (medicaments) if they are already formulated into finished dosage forms.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 300120?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 300120 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($84M, 30% of world exports), Denmark ($43M) and Italy ($24M). World exports came to about $278M, 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 300120?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 300120 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($22M, 10% of world imports), the United Kingdom ($22M) and Italy ($20M). World imports came to about $219M, 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 300120 structured?
HS code 300120 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (30) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (01) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (20) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 300120?
Brazil splits HS code 300120 into 2 NCM codes: 3001.20.10 (Liver extracts for organo-therapeutic uses), 3001.20.90 (Other extracts of glands, organs or secretions). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.