HS code · 4-digit heading

HS Code 30.02 – Human blood; animal blood for therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic uses; antisera, other blood fractions, immunological products, modified or obtained by biotechnological processes; vaccines, toxins, cultures of micro-organisms (excluding yeasts) etc

What HS 30.02 covers

Heading 3002 covers a critical range of biological pharmaceuticals: "Human blood; animal blood for therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic uses; antisera, other blood fractions, immunological products, modified or obtained by biotechnological processes; vaccines, toxins, cultures of micro-organisms (excluding yeasts) etc." This classification is pivotal for global health and encompasses products vital for disease prevention, treatment, and diagnosis. The scope is broad, including whole blood, plasma, albumin, immunoglobulins, clotting factors, and a wide array of immunological products such as vaccines, antitoxins, and monoclonal antibodies. It also covers cultures of microorganisms (excluding yeasts) used for therapeutic, prophylactic, or diagnostic purposes. The phrase "modified or obtained by biotechnological processes" highlights the advanced scientific methods used in their production. This classification is paramount for trade compliance due to the high regulatory scrutiny, cold chain requirements, and significant public health implications. Accurate classification ensures adherence to national and international health regulations, proper storage, and efficient distribution. Historically, this heading reflects the evolution from traditional blood transfusions and vaccine production to sophisticated biotechnology-derived therapies. It forms a cornerstone of Chapter 30, emphasizing its role in modern medicine and global disease control within Section VI.

Covers
  • Human plasma
  • Human albumin
  • Immunoglobulin G (IVIG)
  • Factor VIII concentrates
  • Tetanus antitoxin
  • Diphtheria antitoxin
  • Antivenoms
  • Influenza vaccines
  • Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccines
  • Polio vaccines
  • COVID-19 vaccines
  • Bacterial cultures for vaccine production
  • Viral cultures for diagnostic kits
  • Monoclonal antibodies (e.g., trastuzumab, rituximab)
  • Polyclonal antibodies
  • Interferons (e.g., interferon alpha)
  • Interleukins
  • Diagnostic reagents containing blood fractions
  • Animal blood for diagnostic use
  • Bovine serum albumin (BSA) for therapeutic/diagnostic use
  • Recombinant therapeutic proteins (e.g., insulin if classified here)
  • Cell culture media with blood components
  • Toxoids
  • Bacterial toxins for therapeutic use
  • Human growth hormone (recombinant)
Examples

A pharmaceutical giant in Belgium exports millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccines via air cargo to various public health agencies across Africa and South America. In another instance, a specialized blood products company in the United States ships bulk human plasma fractions, such as albumin and immunoglobulins, to a manufacturing facility in Ireland for purification and formulation into injectable therapeutic drugs. Furthermore, a veterinary pharmaceutical firm in the Netherlands imports equine tetanus antitoxin from Argentina, intended for prophylactic use in livestock.

Subheadings under 30.02 10

3002.12Blood, human or animal, antisera, other blood fractions and immunological products; antisera and other blood fractions3002.13Blood, human or animal, antisera, other blood fractions and immunological products; immunological products, unmixed, not put up in measured doses or in forms or packings for retail sale3002.14Blood, human or animal, antisera, other blood fractions and immunological products; immunological products, mixed, put up in measured doses or in forms or packings for retail sale3002.15Blood, human or animal, antisera, other blood fractions and immunological products; immunological products, put up in measured doses or in forms or packings for retail sale3002.41Vaccines, toxins, cultures of micro-organisms (excluding yeasts) and similar products; for human medicine3002.42Vaccines, toxins, cultures of micro-organisms (excluding yeasts) and similar products; for veterinary medicine3002.49Toxins, cultures of micro-organisms (excluding yeasts) and similar products; n.e.c. in item 3002.33002.51Cell cultures, whether or not modified; cell therapy products3002.59Cell cultures, whether or not modified; other cell cultures not including cell therapy products3002.90Toxins, cultures of micro-organisms (excluding yeasts) and similar products

60 Brazil NCM codes in heading 30.02 →

Codes often confused with 30.02

Common mistake. Common errors include confusing diagnostic reagents under 3002 with general laboratory reagents under 3822 if they do not contain human/animal blood or immunological products. Another mistake is classifying active ingredients for vaccines or antibodies (Chapter 29) instead of the finished immunological product (3002). The key is the explicit 'therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic uses' and the specific nature of blood, blood fractions, immunological products, or microorganism cultures. Non-therapeutic uses of blood (e.g., for food or feed) would fall under other chapters like 05 or 35.

38.22Reagents; diagnostic or laboratory reagents on a backing, prepared diagnostic or laboratory reagents whether or not on a backing, whether or not put up in the form of kits, other than those of heading 30.06; certified reference materials

Top exporters and importers of HS code 3002, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 3002 in UN Comtrade data was Switzerland, with 19% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 29% 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 Switzerland $69.4B
  2. 2 United States $57.3B
  3. 3 Germany $53.1B

World total: $372.8B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $109.6B
  2. 2 Germany $36.7B
  3. 3 Switzerland $22.6B

World total: $378.9B 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.

Questions about HS 30.02

What is HS code 3002?

HS code 3002 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Human blood; animal blood for therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic uses; antisera, other blood fractions, immunological products, modified or obtained by biotechnological processes; vaccines, toxins, cultures of micro-organisms (excluding yeasts) etc. Heading 3002 covers a critical range of biological pharmaceuticals: "Human blood; animal blood for therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic uses; antisera, other blood fractions, immunological products, modified or obtained by biotechnological processes; vaccines, toxins, cultures of micro-organisms (excluding yeasts) etc." This classification is pivotal for global health and encompasses products vital for disease prevention, treatment, and diagnosis. The scope is broad, including whole blood, plasma, albumin, immunoglobulins, clotting factors, and a wide array of immunological products such as vaccines, antitoxins, and monoclonal antibodies. It also covers cultures of microorganisms (excluding yeasts) used for therapeutic, prophylactic, or diagnostic purposes. The phrase "modified or obtained by biotechnological processes" highlights the advanced scientific methods used in their production. This classification is paramount for trade compliance due to the high regulatory scrutiny, cold chain requirements, and significant public health implications. Accurate classification ensures adherence to national and international health regulations, proper storage, and efficient distribution. Historically, this heading reflects the evolution from traditional blood transfusions and vaccine production to sophisticated biotechnology-derived therapies. It forms a cornerstone of Chapter 30, emphasizing its role in modern medicine and global disease control within Section VI.

What products fall under HS code 3002?

Human plasma, Human albumin, Immunoglobulin G (IVIG), Factor VIII concentrates, Tetanus antitoxin, Diphtheria antitoxin, Antivenoms, Influenza vaccines, Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccines, Polio vaccines, COVID-19 vaccines, Bacterial cultures for vaccine production, Viral cultures for diagnostic kits, Monoclonal antibodies (e.g., trastuzumab, rituximab), Polyclonal antibodies, Interferons (e.g., interferon alpha), Interleukins, Diagnostic reagents containing blood fractions, Animal blood for diagnostic use, Bovine serum albumin (BSA) for therapeutic/diagnostic use, Recombinant therapeutic proteins (e.g., insulin if classified here), Cell culture media with blood components, Toxoids, Bacterial toxins for therapeutic use, Human growth hormone (recombinant)

What are common misclassifications for HS code 3002?

Common errors include confusing diagnostic reagents under 3002 with general laboratory reagents under 3822 if they do not contain human/animal blood or immunological products. Another mistake is classifying active ingredients for vaccines or antibodies (Chapter 29) instead of the finished immunological product (3002). The key is the explicit 'therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic uses' and the specific nature of blood, blood fractions, immunological products, or microorganism cultures. Non-therapeutic uses of blood (e.g., for food or feed) would fall under other chapters like 05 or 35.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 3002?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 3002 in UN Comtrade data were Switzerland ($69.4B, 19% of world exports), the United States ($57.3B) and Germany ($53.1B). World exports came to about $372.8B, 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 3002?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 3002 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($109.6B, 29% of world imports), Germany ($36.7B) and Switzerland ($22.6B). World imports came to about $378.9B, 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 3002 structured?

HS code 3002 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 30 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (30) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (02) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.