HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 3003.42 – Medicaments; containing alkaloids or their derivatives, containing pseudoephedrine (INN) or its salts, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, (not packaged for retail sale)
HS code 3003.42 is the 6-digit subheading for medicaments, containing alkaloids or their derivatives, containing pseudoephedrine (INN) or its salts, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, (not packaged for retail sale). It is used for pseudoephedrine HCl bulk powder, pseudoephedrine sulfate API, bulk pseudoephedrine base, pseudoephedrine raw material for tablets and pseudoephedrine solution concentrate.
What HS 3003.42 covers
This category encompasses bulk medicaments containing pseudoephedrine (INN) or its salts, used for therapeutic or prophylactic purposes, and not yet prepared for retail distribution. These are vital active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) traded globally between pharmaceutical raw material suppliers and drug manufacturers. Companies specializing in the production of cold and allergy medications are primary importers, acquiring these bulk materials to formulate into finished products such as decongestants. Exporters are typically large-scale chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturers, often located in regions with advanced chemical synthesis capabilities. The trade in pseudoephedrine is heavily regulated worldwide due to its potential diversion for illicit methamphetamine production, necessitating stringent controls, permits, and detailed record-keeping throughout the supply chain. Compliance with international drug control conventions and national pharmaceutical regulations is paramount for all parties involved in this trade.
- Covers
- Pseudoephedrine HCl bulk powder
- Pseudoephedrine sulfate API
- Bulk pseudoephedrine base
- Pseudoephedrine raw material for tablets
- Pseudoephedrine solution concentrate
- Examples
Johnson Matthey Pseudoephedrine, BASF Pseudoephedrine HCl, Sigma-Aldrich Pseudoephedrine, Teva API Pseudoephedrine, Dr. Reddy's Pseudoephedrine
Codes often confused with 3003.42
Common mistake. This code is distinct from 300442 (medicaments containing pseudoephedrine, packaged for retail sale) due to the packaging status. It could also be confused with 293942 (pseudoephedrine and its salts, not medicaments) if the product's intended use as a medicament is not clear.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 300342, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 300342 in UN Comtrade data was France, with 29% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 51% 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 $1.5M 29% of world exports
- 2 Italy $1.2M 23% of world exports
- 3 Germany $1.1M 22% of world exports
World total: $5.0M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Japan $6.5M 51% of world imports
- 2 Saudi Arabia $2.1M 17% of world imports
- 3 Algeria* ~$1.5M 12% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $13M 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 3003.42
Brazil does not split HS 3003.42: its NCM code is 3003.42.00.
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 3003.42
What is HS code 300342?
HS code 300342 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Medicaments; containing alkaloids or their derivatives, containing pseudoephedrine (INN) or its salts, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, (not packaged for retail sale). This category encompasses bulk medicaments containing pseudoephedrine (INN) or its salts, used for therapeutic or prophylactic purposes, and not yet prepared for retail distribution. These are vital active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) traded globally between pharmaceutical raw material suppliers and drug manufacturers. Companies specializing in the production of cold and allergy medications are primary importers, acquiring these bulk materials to formulate into finished products such as decongestants. Exporters are typically large-scale chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturers, often located in regions with advanced chemical synthesis capabilities. The trade in pseudoephedrine is heavily regulated worldwide due to its potential diversion for illicit methamphetamine production, necessitating stringent controls, permits, and detailed record-keeping throughout the supply chain. Compliance with international drug control conventions and national pharmaceutical regulations is paramount for all parties involved in this trade.
What products fall under HS code 300342?
Pseudoephedrine HCl bulk powder, Pseudoephedrine sulfate API, Bulk pseudoephedrine base, Pseudoephedrine raw material for tablets, Pseudoephedrine solution concentrate
What are common misclassifications for HS code 300342?
This code is distinct from 300442 (medicaments containing pseudoephedrine, packaged for retail sale) due to the packaging status. It could also be confused with 293942 (pseudoephedrine and its salts, not medicaments) if the product's intended use as a medicament is not clear.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 300342?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 300342 in UN Comtrade data were France ($1.5M, 29% of world exports), Italy ($1.2M) and Germany ($1.1M). World exports came to about $5.0M, 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 300342?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 300342 in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($6.5M, 51% of world imports), Saudi Arabia ($2.1M) and Algeria (about $1.5M). World imports came to about $13M, 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 300342 structured?
HS code 300342 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 (42) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 300342?
In Brazil, HS code 300342 is NCM 3003.42.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.