HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 3004.42 – Medicaments; containing alkaloids or their derivatives, containing pseudoephedrine (INN) or its salts, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale
HS code 3004.42 is the 6-digit subheading for medicaments, containing alkaloids or their derivatives, containing pseudoephedrine (INN) or its salts, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale. It is used for pseudoephedrine hydrochloride tablets, sudafed tablets, claritin-D tablets, mucinex D tablets and allegra-D tablets.
What HS 3004.42 covers
HS 300442 covers retail-packaged medicaments containing pseudoephedrine (INN) or its salts, which are alkaloids or their derivatives, intended for therapeutic or prophylactic uses. Pseudoephedrine is a widely recognized and commonly used decongestant found in many over-the-counter cold, flu, and allergy medications. These products are traded globally by pharmaceutical manufacturers to wholesalers, pharmacies, and retail outlets. The trade volume is substantial due to the widespread prevalence of common colds and allergies. However, pseudoephedrine is also subject to strict regulations in many countries due to its potential use as a precursor in the illicit manufacture of methamphetamine. This has led to restrictions on sales, such as behind-the-counter placement or quantity limits, impacting international trade logistics and compliance requirements for exporters and importers.
- Covers
- Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride tablets
- Sudafed tablets
- Claritin-D tablets
- Mucinex D tablets
- Allegra-D tablets
- Nasal decongestant sprays with pseudoephedrine
- Zyrtec-D tablets
- Examples
- Sudafed
- Claritin-D
- Mucinex D
- Allegra-D
- Zyrtec-D
Codes often confused with 3004.42
Common mistake. Often confused with 300441 for ephedrine or 300443 for norephedrine, given their similar decongestant properties and chemical family.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 300442, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 300442 in UN Comtrade data was France, with 21% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Switzerland, with 7.6% 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 $53M 21% of world exports
- 2 Germany $38M 15% of world exports
- 3 Switzerland $31M 13% of world exports
World total: $247M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Switzerland $21M 7.6% of world imports
- 2 Poland $18M 6.7% of world imports
- 3 Italy $17M 6.3% of world imports
World total: $273M 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 3004.42
Brazil does not split HS 3004.42: its NCM code is 3004.42.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 30.04 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 3004.42
What is HS code 300442?
HS code 300442 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, packaged for retail sale. HS 300442 covers retail-packaged medicaments containing pseudoephedrine (INN) or its salts, which are alkaloids or their derivatives, intended for therapeutic or prophylactic uses. Pseudoephedrine is a widely recognized and commonly used decongestant found in many over-the-counter cold, flu, and allergy medications. These products are traded globally by pharmaceutical manufacturers to wholesalers, pharmacies, and retail outlets. The trade volume is substantial due to the widespread prevalence of common colds and allergies. However, pseudoephedrine is also subject to strict regulations in many countries due to its potential use as a precursor in the illicit manufacture of methamphetamine. This has led to restrictions on sales, such as behind-the-counter placement or quantity limits, impacting international trade logistics and compliance requirements for exporters and importers.
What products fall under HS code 300442?
Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride tablets, Sudafed tablets, Claritin-D tablets, Mucinex D tablets, Allegra-D tablets, Nasal decongestant sprays with pseudoephedrine, Zyrtec-D tablets
What are common misclassifications for HS code 300442?
Often confused with 300441 for ephedrine or 300443 for norephedrine, given their similar decongestant properties and chemical family.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 300442?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 300442 in UN Comtrade data were France ($53M, 21% of world exports), Germany ($38M) and Switzerland ($31M). World exports came to about $247M, 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 300442?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 300442 in UN Comtrade data were Switzerland ($21M, 7.6% of world imports), Poland ($18M) and Italy ($17M). World imports came to about $273M, 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 300442 structured?
HS code 300442 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (30) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (04) 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 300442?
In Brazil, HS code 300442 is NCM 3004.42.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.