HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 3003.49 – Medicaments; containing alkaloids or their derivatives; other than ephedrine, pseudoephedrine (INN) or norephedrine or their salts; for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, (not packaged for retail sale)
HS code 3003.49 is the 6-digit subheading for medicaments, containing alkaloids or their derivatives, other than ephedrine, pseudoephedrine (INN) or norephedrine or their salts, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, (not packaged for retail sale). It is used for quinine sulfate bulk, atropine sulfate API, scopolamine hydrobromide raw material, ergotamine tartrate bulk and strychnine nitrate for pharmaceutical use.
What HS 3003.49 covers
This "other" category within medicaments containing alkaloids or their derivatives covers those not specifically listed under ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or norephedrine, and which are not packaged for retail sale. This broad classification includes a diverse range of bulk active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) derived from alkaloids, used for various therapeutic or prophylactic purposes. Importers are typically pharmaceutical manufacturers, contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs), or research institutions that require these bulk materials for further formulation, research, or drug development. Exporters are often specialized chemical and pharmaceutical companies, sometimes operating in niche markets for specific alkaloid derivatives. The trade involves navigating complex international regulations, including drug control laws and pharmaceutical quality standards (e.g., GMP), ensuring the legitimate and safe use of these potent compounds. Due diligence in sourcing and supply chain management is crucial.
- Covers
- Quinine sulfate bulk
- Atropine sulfate API
- Scopolamine hydrobromide raw material
- Ergotamine tartrate bulk
- Strychnine nitrate for pharmaceutical use
- Pilocarpine HCl bulk
- Examples
Indena S.p.A. Alkaloids, Macfarlan Smith Opium Alkaloids, Siegfried Holding AG APIs, Noramco Inc. Alkaloid APIs, Alkaloids of Australia
Codes often confused with 3003.49
Common mistake. This code can be confused with other specific alkaloid codes within Chapter 29 (e.g., 2939 for specific alkaloids and their derivatives) if the product is not clearly a medicament. It's also distinct from 300449, which covers the retail-packaged versions of these medicaments.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 300349, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 300349 in UN Comtrade data was Ireland, with 41% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Malaysia, with 31% 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 Ireland $86M 41% of world exports
- 2 Romania $46M 22% of world exports
- 3 United States $18M 8.6% of world exports
World total: $208M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Malaysia $36M 31% of world imports
- 2 Japan $23M 20% of world imports
- 3 United States $14M 12% of world imports
World total: $116M 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 3003.49 6
Brazil splits HS 3003.49 into 6 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 3003.49.10 Vinblastine/vincristine/topotecan drugs, bulkVimblastina; vincristina; derivados destes produtos; topotecan ou seu cloridrato
- 3003.49.20 Pilocarpine medicaments, bulkPilocarpina, seu nitrato ou seu cloridrato
- 3003.49.30 Dihydroergocristine medicaments, bulkMetanossulfonato de di-hidroergocristina
- 3003.49.40 Codeine medicaments, bulkCodeína ou seus sais
- 3003.49.50 Granisetron/tropisetron medicaments, bulkGranisetron; tropisetrona ou seu cloridrato
- 3003.49.90 Other alkaloid 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 3003.49
What is HS code 300349?
HS code 300349 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Medicaments; containing alkaloids or their derivatives; other than ephedrine, pseudoephedrine (INN) or norephedrine or their salts; for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, (not packaged for retail sale). This "other" category within medicaments containing alkaloids or their derivatives covers those not specifically listed under ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or norephedrine, and which are not packaged for retail sale. This broad classification includes a diverse range of bulk active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) derived from alkaloids, used for various therapeutic or prophylactic purposes. Importers are typically pharmaceutical manufacturers, contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs), or research institutions that require these bulk materials for further formulation, research, or drug development. Exporters are often specialized chemical and pharmaceutical companies, sometimes operating in niche markets for specific alkaloid derivatives. The trade involves navigating complex international regulations, including drug control laws and pharmaceutical quality standards (e.g., GMP), ensuring the legitimate and safe use of these potent compounds. Due diligence in sourcing and supply chain management is crucial.
What products fall under HS code 300349?
Quinine sulfate bulk, Atropine sulfate API, Scopolamine hydrobromide raw material, Ergotamine tartrate bulk, Strychnine nitrate for pharmaceutical use, Pilocarpine HCl bulk
What are common misclassifications for HS code 300349?
This code can be confused with other specific alkaloid codes within Chapter 29 (e.g., 2939 for specific alkaloids and their derivatives) if the product is not clearly a medicament. It's also distinct from 300449, which covers the retail-packaged versions of these medicaments.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 300349?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 300349 in UN Comtrade data were Ireland ($86M, 41% of world exports), Romania ($46M) and the United States ($18M). World exports came to about $208M, 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 300349?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 300349 in UN Comtrade data were Malaysia ($36M, 31% of world imports), Japan ($23M) and the United States ($14M). World imports came to about $116M, 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 300349 structured?
HS code 300349 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 (49) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 300349?
Brazil splits HS code 300349 into 6 NCM codes: 3003.49.10 (Vinblastine/vincristine/topotecan drugs, bulk), 3003.49.20 (Pilocarpine medicaments, bulk), 3003.49.30 (Dihydroergocristine medicaments, bulk), 3003.49.40 (Codeine medicaments, bulk), 3003.49.50 (Granisetron/tropisetron medicaments, bulk), 3003.49.90 (Other alkaloid medicaments, bulk). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.