HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 3004.43 – Medicaments; containing alkaloids or their derivatives, containing norephedrine or its salts, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale
HS code 3004.43 is the 6-digit subheading for medicaments, containing alkaloids or their derivatives, containing norephedrine or its salts, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale. It is used for phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride tablets, cold and cough syrups with norephedrine (older formulations), appetite suppressant tablets with norephedrine (older formulations) and decongestant capsules with PPA (older formulations).
What HS 3004.43 covers
This HS code covers retail-packaged medicaments containing norephedrine (also known as phenylpropanolamine or PPA) or its salts, which are alkaloids or their derivatives, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses. Norephedrine was historically used as a decongestant and an appetite suppressant in many over-the-counter medications. However, its use has significantly declined and is restricted or banned in many countries due to safety concerns, particularly regarding an increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke. Consequently, international trade in these specific medicaments is much more limited compared to related compounds like pseudoephedrine. Where still permitted, trade involves pharmaceutical companies supplying to specific markets, under strict regulatory scrutiny. Importers and exporters must be acutely aware of the varying national drug regulations and bans to ensure compliance and avoid legal issues.
- Covers
- Phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride tablets
- Cold and cough syrups with norephedrine (older formulations)
- Appetite suppressant tablets with norephedrine (older formulations)
- Decongestant capsules with PPA (older formulations)
- Examples
- Dexatrim (older formulations)
- Triaminic (older formulations)
- Contac (older formulations)
- Dimetapp (older formulations)
Codes often confused with 3004.43
Common mistake. Can be confused with 300441 for ephedrine or 300442 for pseudoephedrine, as all are sympathomimetic amines with similar applications.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 300443, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 300443 in UN Comtrade data was France, with 39% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Egypt, with 83% 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 $6.8M 39% of world exports
- 2 Indonesia $4.8M 28% of world exports
- 3 Estonia $2.0M 12% of world exports
World total: $17M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Egypt $77M 83% of world imports
- 2 Cambodia* ~$2.1M 2.3% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 3 United States $2.0M 2.2% of world imports
World total: $93M 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 3004.43
Brazil does not split HS 3004.43: its NCM code is 3004.43.00.
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 3004.43
What is HS code 300443?
HS code 300443 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, packaged for retail sale. This HS code covers retail-packaged medicaments containing norephedrine (also known as phenylpropanolamine or PPA) or its salts, which are alkaloids or their derivatives, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses. Norephedrine was historically used as a decongestant and an appetite suppressant in many over-the-counter medications. However, its use has significantly declined and is restricted or banned in many countries due to safety concerns, particularly regarding an increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke. Consequently, international trade in these specific medicaments is much more limited compared to related compounds like pseudoephedrine. Where still permitted, trade involves pharmaceutical companies supplying to specific markets, under strict regulatory scrutiny. Importers and exporters must be acutely aware of the varying national drug regulations and bans to ensure compliance and avoid legal issues.
What products fall under HS code 300443?
Phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride tablets, Cold and cough syrups with norephedrine (older formulations), Appetite suppressant tablets with norephedrine (older formulations), Decongestant capsules with PPA (older formulations)
What are common misclassifications for HS code 300443?
Can be confused with 300441 for ephedrine or 300442 for pseudoephedrine, as all are sympathomimetic amines with similar applications.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 300443?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 300443 in UN Comtrade data were France ($6.8M, 39% of world exports), Indonesia ($4.8M) and Estonia ($2.0M). World exports came to about $17M, 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 300443?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 300443 in UN Comtrade data were Egypt ($77M, 83% of world imports), Cambodia (about $2.1M) and the United States ($2.0M). World imports came to about $93M, 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 300443 structured?
HS code 300443 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 (43) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 300443?
In Brazil, HS code 300443 is NCM 3004.43.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.