HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 3003.43 – Medicaments; containing alkaloids or their derivatives, containing norephedrine or its salts, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, (not packaged for retail sale)
HS code 3003.43 is the 6-digit subheading for medicaments, containing alkaloids or their derivatives, containing norephedrine or its salts, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, (not packaged for retail sale). It is used for norephedrine HCl bulk powder, norephedrine API, bulk norephedrine base, norephedrine raw material and norephedrine sulfate for pharmaceutical use.
What HS 3003.43 covers
This HS code covers bulk medicaments containing norephedrine or its salts, intended for therapeutic or prophylactic applications, and not yet packaged for retail sale. Similar to its ephedrine and pseudoephedrine counterparts, these are critical active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in the global pharmaceutical supply chain. Importers are typically pharmaceutical companies that will further process these bulk materials into finished drug products, often for conditions where norephedrine's specific pharmacological profile is beneficial. Exporters are specialized chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturers capable of synthesizing and purifying these complex organic compounds. The trade is characterized by strict regulatory oversight, given the nature of alkaloids and their derivatives, requiring meticulous documentation, quality assurance, and adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). Supply chain integrity and traceability are essential to ensure legitimate use and prevent diversion.
- Covers
- Norephedrine HCl bulk powder
- Norephedrine API
- Bulk norephedrine base
- Norephedrine raw material
- Norephedrine sulfate for pharmaceutical use
- Examples
- Sigma-Aldrich Norephedrine
- TCI Chemicals Norephedrine
- Alfa Aesar Norephedrine
- Merck KGaA Norephedrine
- Santa Cruz Biotechnology Norephedrine
Codes often confused with 3003.43
Common mistake. This code is differentiated from 300443 (medicaments containing norephedrine, packaged for retail sale) by the packaging status. It might also be confused with 293943 (norephedrine and its salts, not medicaments) if the product is not clearly identified as a medicament.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 300343, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 300343 in UN Comtrade data was Guatemala, with 45% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Nicaragua, with about 61% 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 Guatemala $106K 45% of world exports
- 2 United States $86K 36% of world exports
- 3 France $24K 10% of world exports
World total: $235K Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Nicaragua* ~$106K 61% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 2 Germany $55K 31% of world imports
- 3 Kenya $9K 4.9% of world imports
World total: $175K 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 3003.43
Brazil does not split HS 3003.43: its NCM code is 3003.43.00.
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 3003.43
What is HS code 300343?
HS code 300343 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Medicaments; containing alkaloids or their derivatives, containing norephedrine or its salts, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, (not packaged for retail sale). This HS code covers bulk medicaments containing norephedrine or its salts, intended for therapeutic or prophylactic applications, and not yet packaged for retail sale. Similar to its ephedrine and pseudoephedrine counterparts, these are critical active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in the global pharmaceutical supply chain. Importers are typically pharmaceutical companies that will further process these bulk materials into finished drug products, often for conditions where norephedrine's specific pharmacological profile is beneficial. Exporters are specialized chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturers capable of synthesizing and purifying these complex organic compounds. The trade is characterized by strict regulatory oversight, given the nature of alkaloids and their derivatives, requiring meticulous documentation, quality assurance, and adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). Supply chain integrity and traceability are essential to ensure legitimate use and prevent diversion.
What products fall under HS code 300343?
Norephedrine HCl bulk powder, Norephedrine API, Bulk norephedrine base, Norephedrine raw material, Norephedrine sulfate for pharmaceutical use
What are common misclassifications for HS code 300343?
This code is differentiated from 300443 (medicaments containing norephedrine, packaged for retail sale) by the packaging status. It might also be confused with 293943 (norephedrine and its salts, not medicaments) if the product is not clearly identified as a medicament.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 300343?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 300343 in UN Comtrade data were Guatemala ($106K, 45% of world exports), the United States ($86K) and France ($24K). World exports came to about $235K, 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 300343?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 300343 in UN Comtrade data were Nicaragua (about $106K, 61% of world imports), Germany ($55K) and Kenya ($9K). World imports came to about $175K, 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 300343 structured?
HS code 300343 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 (43) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 300343?
In Brazil, HS code 300343 is NCM 3003.43.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.