HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 3002.59 – Cell cultures, whether or not modified; other cell cultures not including cell therapy products
HS code 3002.59 is the 6-digit subheading for cell cultures, whether or not modified, other cell cultures not including cell therapy products. It is used for HEK293 cell line, CHO cell line, heLa cell line, jurkat cells and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
What HS 3002.59 covers
This HS code encompasses a vital category in biotechnology and medical research: cell cultures, excluding those specifically prepared for cell therapy. These are living cells grown in controlled conditions outside their natural environment, used extensively for drug discovery, vaccine production, diagnostic testing, and basic scientific research. International trade in these products is driven by pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, universities, and contract research organizations (CROs) that require specific cell lines for their R&D activities or manufacturing processes. Key things to know include the stringent cold chain logistics required for transport to maintain cell viability, the regulatory hurdles related to biosafety and ethical considerations, and the increasing demand fueled by advancements in personalized medicine and biologics. Exporters are typically countries with strong biotech sectors, while importers are global research hubs and pharmaceutical manufacturing centers. The trade often involves specialized packaging and rapid delivery to ensure product integrity.
- Covers
- HEK293 cell line
- CHO cell line
- HeLa cell line
- Jurkat cells
- Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)
- Primary human hepatocytes
- Neuronal cell cultures
- Fibroblast cell lines
- Examples
- ATCC (American Type Culture Collection) cell lines
- Thermo Fisher Scientific Gibco cell cultures
- Lonza primary cells
- Corning cell culture products
- MilliporeSigma cell lines
Codes often confused with 3002.59
Common mistake. This code might be confused with 300212 (Immunological products, unmixed) or 300215 (Immunological products, put up in measured doses) if the cell cultures are intended for immunological research, but 300259 specifically covers the cell cultures themselves. It's also distinct from 300240 (Cell therapy products) which are for direct therapeutic use.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 300259, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 300259 in UN Comtrade data was France, with 43% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Pakistan, with 32% 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 France $195M 43% of world exports
- 2 United States $94M 21% of world exports
- 3 United Kingdom $33M 7.2% of world exports
World total: $452M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Pakistan $309M 32% of world imports
- 2 Italy $178M 19% of world imports
- 3 United Kingdom $164M 17% of world imports
World total: $956M 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 code for 3002.59
Brazil does not split HS 3002.59: its NCM code is 3002.59.00.
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 3002.59
What is HS code 300259?
HS code 300259 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Cell cultures, whether or not modified; other cell cultures not including cell therapy products. This HS code encompasses a vital category in biotechnology and medical research: cell cultures, excluding those specifically prepared for cell therapy. These are living cells grown in controlled conditions outside their natural environment, used extensively for drug discovery, vaccine production, diagnostic testing, and basic scientific research. International trade in these products is driven by pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, universities, and contract research organizations (CROs) that require specific cell lines for their R&D activities or manufacturing processes. Key things to know include the stringent cold chain logistics required for transport to maintain cell viability, the regulatory hurdles related to biosafety and ethical considerations, and the increasing demand fueled by advancements in personalized medicine and biologics. Exporters are typically countries with strong biotech sectors, while importers are global research hubs and pharmaceutical manufacturing centers. The trade often involves specialized packaging and rapid delivery to ensure product integrity.
What products fall under HS code 300259?
HEK293 cell line, CHO cell line, HeLa cell line, Jurkat cells, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), primary human hepatocytes, neuronal cell cultures, fibroblast cell lines
What are common misclassifications for HS code 300259?
This code might be confused with 300212 (Immunological products, unmixed) or 300215 (Immunological products, put up in measured doses) if the cell cultures are intended for immunological research, but 300259 specifically covers the cell cultures themselves. It's also distinct from 300240 (Cell therapy products) which are for direct therapeutic use.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 300259?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 300259 in UN Comtrade data were France ($195M, 43% of world exports), the United States ($94M) and the United Kingdom ($33M). World exports came to about $452M, 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 300259?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 300259 in UN Comtrade data were Pakistan ($309M, 32% of world imports), Italy ($178M) and the United Kingdom ($164M). World imports came to about $956M, 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 300259 structured?
HS code 300259 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 (59) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 300259?
In Brazil, HS code 300259 is NCM 3002.59.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.