HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 3002.49 – Toxins, cultures of micro-organisms (excluding yeasts) and similar products; n.e.c. in item 3002.3

HS code 3002.49 is the 6-digit subheading for toxins, cultures of micro-organisms (excluding yeasts) and similar products, n.e.c. in item 3002.3. It is used for bacterial cultures (e.g., E. coli strains), viral cultures (e.g., adenovirus vectors), bacterial toxins (e.g., botulinum toxin), cell-free expression systems and fungal cultures (non-yeast).

What HS 3002.49 covers

This 'n.e.c.' (not elsewhere specified) HS code covers a diverse range of toxins, cultures of micro-organisms (excluding yeasts), and similar biological products not specifically classified in other subheadings of 3002.3. This category is vital for the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and research sectors, encompassing everything from bacterial and viral cultures used in diagnostics and vaccine development to various toxins employed in research or therapeutic applications (e.g., botulinum toxin for medical use). International trade involves specialized logistics, including cold chain management, and strict adherence to biosafety regulations, intellectual property rights, and export controls for dual-use biological agents. Importers and exporters include biotech firms, academic institutions, and diagnostic kit manufacturers.

Covers
  • Bacterial cultures (e.g., E. coli strains)
  • Viral cultures (e.g., adenovirus vectors)
  • Bacterial toxins (e.g., botulinum toxin)
  • Cell-free expression systems
  • Fungal cultures (non-yeast)
  • Plasmid DNA preparations
Examples
  • ATCC (American Type Culture Collection) strains
  • specific research reagents from Thermo Fisher Scientific
  • Merck Millipore
  • Lonza microbial cultures

Codes often confused with 3002.49

Common mistake. This code can be confused with vaccines (3002.20), antisera (3002.12), or even diagnostic reagents (3822) if the product's primary function is not clearly a culture or toxin.

3002.12Blood, human or animal, antisera, other blood fractions and immunological products; antisera and other blood fractions38.22Reagents; 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 300249, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 300249 in UN Comtrade data was Ireland, with 40% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, 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 Ireland $5.6B
  2. 2 United States $1.9B
  3. 3 Germany $1.2B

World total: $14.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $1.4B
  2. 2 France $839M
  3. 3 Germany $816M

World total: $9.7B 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 3002.49 6

Brazil splits HS 3002.49 into 6 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.

  1. 3002.49.10 Antitoxins of microbial originAntitoxinas de origem microbiana
  2. 3002.49.20 TuberculinsTuberculinas
  3. 3002.49.9 OtherOutros Group
  4. 3002.49.91 Other toxins and cultures for animal healthPara a saúde animal
  5. 3002.49.92 Other toxins and cultures for human healthPara a saúde humana
  6. 3002.49.94 RicinRicina
  7. 3002.49.99 Other toxins and micro-organism culturesOutros

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 30.02 →

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

Questions about HS 3002.49

What is HS code 300249?

HS code 300249 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Toxins, cultures of micro-organisms (excluding yeasts) and similar products; n.e.c. in item 3002.3. This 'n.e.c.' (not elsewhere specified) HS code covers a diverse range of toxins, cultures of micro-organisms (excluding yeasts), and similar biological products not specifically classified in other subheadings of 3002.3. This category is vital for the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and research sectors, encompassing everything from bacterial and viral cultures used in diagnostics and vaccine development to various toxins employed in research or therapeutic applications (e.g., botulinum toxin for medical use). International trade involves specialized logistics, including cold chain management, and strict adherence to biosafety regulations, intellectual property rights, and export controls for dual-use biological agents. Importers and exporters include biotech firms, academic institutions, and diagnostic kit manufacturers.

What products fall under HS code 300249?

Bacterial cultures (e.g., E. coli strains), Viral cultures (e.g., adenovirus vectors), Bacterial toxins (e.g., botulinum toxin), Cell-free expression systems, Fungal cultures (non-yeast), Plasmid DNA preparations

What are common misclassifications for HS code 300249?

This code can be confused with vaccines (3002.20), antisera (3002.12), or even diagnostic reagents (3822) if the product's primary function is not clearly a culture or toxin.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 300249?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 300249 in UN Comtrade data were Ireland ($5.6B, 40% of world exports), the United States ($1.9B) and Germany ($1.2B). World exports came to about $14.2B, 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 300249?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 300249 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.4B, 14% of world imports), France ($839M) and Germany ($816M). World imports came to about $9.7B, 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 300249 structured?

HS code 300249 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (30) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (02) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (49) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 300249?

Brazil splits HS code 300249 into 6 NCM codes: 3002.49.10 (Antitoxins of microbial origin), 3002.49.20 (Tuberculins), 3002.49.91 (Other toxins and cultures for animal health), 3002.49.92 (Other toxins and cultures for human health), 3002.49.94 (Ricin), 3002.49.99 (Other toxins and micro-organism cultures). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.