HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 3002.90 – Toxins, cultures of micro-organisms (excluding yeasts) and similar products
HS code 3002.90 is the 6-digit subheading for toxins, cultures of micro-organisms (excluding yeasts) and similar products. It is used for E. coli cultures, salmonella cultures, clostridium botulinum toxin (research grade), staphylococcus aureus cultures and viral reference strains.
What HS 3002.90 covers
This HS code covers a diverse range of biological materials crucial for various scientific, medical, and industrial applications, specifically toxins, cultures of microorganisms (excluding yeasts), and similar products. This includes bacterial cultures for fermentation, diagnostic reagents, research-grade toxins, and viral stocks. Key players in international trade are pharmaceutical companies, diagnostic kit manufacturers, academic research institutions, and agricultural biotechnology firms. The trade is characterized by strict regulatory controls due to the potential biohazard risks associated with these materials, requiring specialized packaging, handling, and transport protocols (e.g., IATA regulations for dangerous goods). Importers seek these products for vaccine development, antibiotic production, environmental monitoring, and disease research, while exporters are often countries with advanced microbiology and biotechnology capabilities. The market is driven by ongoing research into infectious diseases, biodefense, and industrial biotechnology applications.
- Covers
- E. coli cultures
- Salmonella cultures
- Clostridium botulinum toxin (research grade)
- Staphylococcus aureus cultures
- Viral reference strains
- Bacterial fermentation starters
- Diagnostic antigens
- Microbial growth media with specific cultures
- Examples
- ATCC bacterial strains
- CDC reference toxins
- Thermo Fisher Scientific microbial cultures
- Merck KGaA toxins for research
- Bio-Rad diagnostic antigens
Codes often confused with 3002.90
Common mistake. This code can be confused with 300212 (Immunological products, unmixed) if the cultures are used to produce antigens for vaccines, or 382100 (Prepared culture media for micro-organisms) if the cultures are embedded in media, but 300290 specifically covers the living cultures or toxins themselves.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 300290, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 300290 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 45% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 40% 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 $1.1B 45% of world exports
- 2 United Kingdom $412M 16% of world exports
- 3 Hungary $96M 3.8% of world exports
World total: $2.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $1.1B 40% of world imports
- 2 United Kingdom $336M 12% of world imports
- 3 Canada $136M 4.8% of world imports
World total: $2.8B 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 3002.90
Brazil does not split HS 3002.90: its NCM code is 3002.90.00.
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 3002.90
What is HS code 300290?
HS code 300290 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Toxins, cultures of micro-organisms (excluding yeasts) and similar products. This HS code covers a diverse range of biological materials crucial for various scientific, medical, and industrial applications, specifically toxins, cultures of microorganisms (excluding yeasts), and similar products. This includes bacterial cultures for fermentation, diagnostic reagents, research-grade toxins, and viral stocks. Key players in international trade are pharmaceutical companies, diagnostic kit manufacturers, academic research institutions, and agricultural biotechnology firms. The trade is characterized by strict regulatory controls due to the potential biohazard risks associated with these materials, requiring specialized packaging, handling, and transport protocols (e.g., IATA regulations for dangerous goods). Importers seek these products for vaccine development, antibiotic production, environmental monitoring, and disease research, while exporters are often countries with advanced microbiology and biotechnology capabilities. The market is driven by ongoing research into infectious diseases, biodefense, and industrial biotechnology applications.
What products fall under HS code 300290?
E. coli cultures, Salmonella cultures, Clostridium botulinum toxin (research grade), Staphylococcus aureus cultures, viral reference strains, bacterial fermentation starters, diagnostic antigens, microbial growth media with specific cultures
What are common misclassifications for HS code 300290?
This code can be confused with 300212 (Immunological products, unmixed) if the cultures are used to produce antigens for vaccines, or 382100 (Prepared culture media for micro-organisms) if the cultures are embedded in media, but 300290 specifically covers the living cultures or toxins themselves.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 300290?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 300290 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.1B, 45% of world exports), the United Kingdom ($412M) and Hungary ($96M). World exports came to about $2.5B, 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 300290?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 300290 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.1B, 40% of world imports), the United Kingdom ($336M) and Canada ($136M). World imports came to about $2.8B, 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.
How is HS code 300290 structured?
HS code 300290 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 (90) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 300290?
In Brazil, HS code 300290 is NCM 3002.90.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.