HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 3003.39 – Medicaments; containing hormones (excluding insulin), (but not containing antibiotics), for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, not packaged for retail sale

HS code 3003.39 is the 6-digit subheading for medicaments, containing hormones (excluding insulin), (but not containing antibiotics), for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, not packaged for retail sale. It is used for prednisolone acetate bulk, estradiol valerate API, testosterone propionate bulk, levothyroxine sodium API and hydrocortisone bulk powder.

What HS 3003.39 covers

This HS code encompasses bulk medicaments containing hormones (excluding insulin) but not antibiotics, intended for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, and not yet in measured doses or packaged for retail sale. This broad category includes a wide range of hormone APIs such as corticosteroids, sex hormones (estrogens, progestins, androgens), thyroid hormones, and growth hormones. International trade in these bulk hormones is primarily conducted between API manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies that formulate these substances into finished drug products like tablets, creams, injections, or patches. Importers are typically drug manufacturers seeking to produce hormone replacement therapies, contraceptives, anti-inflammatory drugs, or treatments for endocrine disorders. Exporters are often specialized chemical and pharmaceutical companies with expertise in hormone synthesis or extraction. Critical aspects of this trade include stringent quality control, adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), managing complex synthesis processes, and ensuring regulatory compliance for potent substances. The market is influenced by demographic trends, lifestyle diseases, and advancements in endocrinology.

Covers
  • Prednisolone acetate bulk
  • Estradiol valerate API
  • Testosterone propionate bulk
  • Levothyroxine sodium API
  • Hydrocortisone bulk powder
  • Progesterone API
  • Somatropin bulk
  • Dexamethasone API
Examples
  • Merck KGaA bulk hormones
  • Pfizer API
  • Bayer AG bulk estradiol
  • Organon (formerly Merck & Co.) bulk progestins
  • Aspen Pharmacare bulk corticosteroids

Codes often confused with 3003.39

Common mistake. This code is distinguished from 300439 (Medicaments containing other hormones, put up in measured doses or for retail sale) which covers the finished, packaged product. It should also not be confused with the pure chemical compounds under Chapter 29 (e.g., 293721 for corticosteroid hormones), as 300339 implies a medicament preparation.

3004.39Medicaments; containing hormones (but not insulin), adrenal cortex hormones or antibiotics, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale2937.21Steroidal hormones, their derivatives and structural analogues; cortisone, hydrocortisone, prednisone (dehydrocortisone) and prednisolone (dehydrohydrocortisone)

Top exporters and importers of HS code 300339, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 300339 in UN Comtrade data was Ireland, with 88% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Belgium, with 78% 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 $7.0B
  2. 2 United States $247M
  3. 3 Denmark $239M

World total: $7.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Belgium $4.1B
  2. 2 Denmark $395M
  3. 3 United States $155M

World total: $5.3B 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 3003.39 32

Brazil splits HS 3003.39 into 32 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.

  1. 3003.39.1 Containing the following polypeptide or protein hormones: buserelin or its acetate; corticotropin (ACTH); chorionic gonadotropin (hCG); serum gonadotropin (PMSG); leuprorelin or its acetate; menotropins; somatostatin or its salts; somatotropin; triptorelin or its saltsQue contenham os seguintes hormônios polipeptídicos ou proteicos: buserelina ou seu acetato; corticotropina (ACTH); gonadotropina coriônica (hCG); gonadotropina sérica (PMSG); leuprolida ou seu acetato; menotropinas; somatostatina ou seus sais; somatotropina; triptorelina ou seus sais Group
  2. 3003.39.11 Somatotropin medicaments, bulkSomatotropina
  3. 3003.39.12 Chorionic gonadotropin medicaments, bulkGonadotropina coriônica (hCG)
  4. 3003.39.13 Menotropin medicaments, bulkMenotropinas
  5. 3003.39.14 Corticotropin (ACTH) medicaments, bulkCorticotropina (ACTH)
  6. 3003.39.15 Serum gonadotropin medicaments, bulkGonadotropina sérica (PMSG)
  7. 3003.39.16 Somatostatin medicaments, bulkSomatostatina ou seus sais
  8. 3003.39.17 Buserelin medicaments, bulkBuserelina ou seu acetato
  9. 3003.39.18 Triptorelin medicaments, bulkTriptorelina ou seus sais
  10. 3003.39.19 Leuprorelin medicaments, bulkLeuprolida ou seu acetato
  11. 3003.39.2 Containing other polypeptide or protein hormones, their derivatives or structural analogues, but not containing products of item 3003.39.1Que contenham outros hormônios polipeptídicos ou proteicos, seus derivados ou análogos estruturais, mas que não contenham produtos do item 3003.39.1 Group
  12. 3003.39.21 Gonadorelin (LH-RH) medicaments, bulkLH-RH (gonadorelina)
  13. 3003.39.22 Oxytocin medicaments, bulkOxitocina
  14. 3003.39.23 Insulin salt medicaments, bulkSais de insulina
  15. 3003.39.24 Thymosin medicaments, bulkTimosinas
  16. 3003.39.25 Octreotide medicaments, bulkOctreotida
  17. 3003.39.26 Goserelin medicaments, bulkGoserelina ou seu acetato
  18. 3003.39.27 Nafarelin medicaments, bulkNafarelina ou seu acetato
  19. 3003.39.29 Other peptide hormone medicaments, bulkOutros
  20. 3003.39.3 Containing oestrogens or progestogens, their derivatives or structural analoguesQue contenham estrogênios ou progestogênios, seus derivados ou análogos estruturais Group
  21. 3003.39.31 Estradiol hemisuccinate medicaments, bulkHemissuccinato de estradiol
  22. 3003.39.32 Estradiol fenpropionate medicaments, bulkFempropionato de estradiol
  23. 3003.39.33 Estriol medicaments, bulkEstriol ou seu succinato
  24. 3003.39.34 Allylestrenol medicaments, bulkAlilestrenol
  25. 3003.39.35 Lynestrenol medicaments, bulkLinestrenol
  26. 3003.39.36 Megestrol acetate, formestane or fulvestrant drugsAcetato de megestrol; formestano; fulvestranto
  27. 3003.39.37 Desogestrel medicaments, bulkDesogestrel
  28. 3003.39.39 Other oestrogen/progestogen medicaments, bulkOutros
  29. 3003.39.8 Levothyroxine sodium; liothyronine sodiumLevotiroxina sódica; liotironina sódica Group
  30. 3003.39.81 Levothyroxine sodium medicaments, bulkLevotiroxina sódica
  31. 3003.39.82 Liothyronine sodium medicaments, bulkLiotironina sódica
  32. 3003.39.9 OtherOutros Group
  33. 3003.39.91 Cloprostenol sodium/methyl ester drugs, bulkSal sódico ou éster metílico do ácido 9,11,15-triidroxi-16-(3-clorofenoxi)prosta-5,13-dien-1-oico (derivado da prostaglandina F2-alfa)
  34. 3003.39.92 Tiratricol (triac) medicaments, bulkTiratricol (triac) ou seu sal sódico
  35. 3003.39.94 Spironolactone medicaments, bulkEspironolactona
  36. 3003.39.95 Exemestane medicaments, bulkExemestano
  37. 3003.39.99 Other hormone medicaments, bulkOutros

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 30.03 →

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

Questions about HS 3003.39

What is HS code 300339?

HS code 300339 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Medicaments; containing hormones (excluding insulin), (but not containing antibiotics), for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, not packaged for retail sale. This HS code encompasses bulk medicaments containing hormones (excluding insulin) but not antibiotics, intended for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, and not yet in measured doses or packaged for retail sale. This broad category includes a wide range of hormone APIs such as corticosteroids, sex hormones (estrogens, progestins, androgens), thyroid hormones, and growth hormones. International trade in these bulk hormones is primarily conducted between API manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies that formulate these substances into finished drug products like tablets, creams, injections, or patches. Importers are typically drug manufacturers seeking to produce hormone replacement therapies, contraceptives, anti-inflammatory drugs, or treatments for endocrine disorders. Exporters are often specialized chemical and pharmaceutical companies with expertise in hormone synthesis or extraction. Critical aspects of this trade include stringent quality control, adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), managing complex synthesis processes, and ensuring regulatory compliance for potent substances. The market is influenced by demographic trends, lifestyle diseases, and advancements in endocrinology.

What products fall under HS code 300339?

Prednisolone acetate bulk, Estradiol valerate API, Testosterone propionate bulk, Levothyroxine sodium API, Hydrocortisone bulk powder, Progesterone API, Somatropin bulk, Dexamethasone API

What are common misclassifications for HS code 300339?

This code is distinguished from 300439 (Medicaments containing other hormones, put up in measured doses or for retail sale) which covers the finished, packaged product. It should also not be confused with the pure chemical compounds under Chapter 29 (e.g., 293721 for corticosteroid hormones), as 300339 implies a medicament preparation.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 300339?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 300339 in UN Comtrade data were Ireland ($7.0B, 88% of world exports), the United States ($247M) and Denmark ($239M). World exports came to about $7.9B, 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.

Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 300339?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 300339 in UN Comtrade data were Belgium ($4.1B, 78% of world imports), Denmark ($395M) and the United States ($155M). World imports came to about $5.3B, 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 300339 structured?

HS code 300339 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (30) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (03) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (39) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 300339?

Brazil splits HS code 300339 into 32 NCM codes: 3003.39.11 (Somatotropin medicaments, bulk), 3003.39.12 (Chorionic gonadotropin medicaments, bulk), 3003.39.13 (Menotropin medicaments, bulk), 3003.39.14 (Corticotropin (ACTH) medicaments, bulk), 3003.39.15 (Serum gonadotropin medicaments, bulk), 3003.39.16 (Somatostatin medicaments, bulk), 3003.39.17 (Buserelin medicaments, bulk), 3003.39.18 (Triptorelin medicaments, bulk), and more listed on this page. The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.