HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 3004.49 – Medicaments; containing alkaloids or their derivatives; other than ephedrine, pseudoephedrine (INN) or norephedrine or their salts; for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale

HS code 3004.49 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, packaged for retail sale. It is used for morphine sulfate tablets, atropine injection, quinine sulfate capsules, ergotamine tartrate tablets and pilocarpine eye drops.

What HS 3004.49 covers

This HS code covers medicaments containing alkaloids or their derivatives, excluding specific compounds like ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or norephedrine, that are packaged for retail sale and intended for therapeutic or prophylactic uses. The international trade in these specialized pharmaceuticals is significant, driven by the global demand for treatments in areas such as pain management, cardiovascular conditions, and neurological disorders. Major pharmaceutical companies are key players, both as importers of raw alkaloid materials and exporters of finished, high-value medicines. Regulatory compliance, including drug approval processes and controlled substance regulations, is a critical aspect of this trade. Developing nations often import these medicines to address public health needs, while developed countries with strong pharmaceutical industries are primary exporters, leveraging advanced manufacturing capabilities and research.

Covers: Morphine sulfate tablets
Atropine injection
Quinine sulfate capsules
Ergotamine tartrate tablets
Pilocarpine eye drops
Scopolamine patches
Codeine phosphate syrup
Examples: Nucynta (tapentadol)
OxyContin (oxycodone)
Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine)
Digoxin (digitalis glycoside)
Belladonna alkaloids

Codes often confused with 3004.49

Common mistake. This code can be confused with 300490 (other medicaments) if the alkaloid content is not clearly identified, or 2939 for bulk alkaloids not yet formulated into retail-packaged medicaments.

3004.90Medicaments; consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale 29.39Alkaloids; natural or reproduced by synthesis, and their salts, ethers, esters and other derivatives

Top exporters and importers of HS code 300449, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 300449 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 21% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 24% 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 Germany $921M 21% of world exports
2 Spain $532M 12% of world exports
3 United Kingdom $398M 8.9% of world exports

World total: $4.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

1 United States $1.1B 24% of world imports
2 China $307M 6.9% of world imports
3 Germany $228M 5.1% of world imports

World total: $4.4B 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 3004.49 6

Brazil splits HS 3004.49 into 6 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.

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.

Access via API

GET /api/hs-code/300449/

{
  "code": "300449",
  "description": "Medicaments; containing alkaloids or their derivatives; other than ephedrine, pseudoephedrine (INN) or norephedrine or their salts; for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale",
  "section": "VI",
  "parent": "3004"
}

API docs →

Questions about HS 3004.49

What is HS code 300449?

HS code 300449 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, packaged for retail sale. This HS code covers medicaments containing alkaloids or their derivatives, excluding specific compounds like ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or norephedrine, that are packaged for retail sale and intended for therapeutic or prophylactic uses. The international trade in these specialized pharmaceuticals is significant, driven by the global demand for treatments in areas such as pain management, cardiovascular conditions, and neurological disorders. Major pharmaceutical companies are key players, both as importers of raw alkaloid materials and exporters of finished, high-value medicines. Regulatory compliance, including drug approval processes and controlled substance regulations, is a critical aspect of this trade. Developing nations often import these medicines to address public health needs, while developed countries with strong pharmaceutical industries are primary exporters, leveraging advanced manufacturing capabilities and research.

What products fall under HS code 300449?

Morphine sulfate tablets, Atropine injection, Quinine sulfate capsules, Ergotamine tartrate tablets, Pilocarpine eye drops, Scopolamine patches, Codeine phosphate syrup

What are common misclassifications for HS code 300449?

This code can be confused with 300490 (other medicaments) if the alkaloid content is not clearly identified, or 2939 for bulk alkaloids not yet formulated into retail-packaged medicaments.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 300449?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 300449 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($921M, 21% of world exports), Spain ($532M) and the United Kingdom ($398M). World exports came to about $4.5B, 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 300449?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 300449 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.1B, 24% of world imports), China ($307M) and Germany ($228M). World imports came to about $4.4B, 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 300449 structured?

HS code 300449 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 (49) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 300449?

Brazil splits HS code 300449 into 6 NCM codes: 3004.49.10 (Vinblastine/vincristine/topotecan drugs), 3004.49.20 (Pilocarpine medicaments, dosed/retail), 3004.49.30 (Dihydroergocristine medicaments, dosed/retail), 3004.49.40 (Codeine medicaments, dosed/retail), 3004.49.50 (Granisetron/tropisetron medicaments, dosed/retail), 3004.49.90 (Other alkaloid medicaments, dosed/retail). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.