HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 3005.90 – Wadding, gauze, bandages and similar articles; (excluding adhesive dressings), impregnated or coated with pharmaceutical substances, packaged for retail sale
HS code 3005.90 is the 6-digit subheading for wadding, gauze, bandages and similar articles, (excluding adhesive dressings), impregnated or coated with pharmaceutical substances, packaged for retail sale. It is used for antiseptic gauze pads, medicated bandages, silver-impregnated dressings, hydrogel dressings (medicated) and paraffin gauze dressings.
What HS 3005.90 covers
This category encompasses wadding, gauze, bandages, and similar articles (excluding adhesive dressings) that are impregnated or coated with pharmaceutical substances and packaged for retail sale. These specialized medical products are crucial for advanced wound care, infection prevention, and targeted topical drug delivery. The global trade involves both pharmaceutical and medical device companies, focusing on sterile manufacturing, the efficacy of the active pharmaceutical ingredients, and stringent regulatory approvals. Demand is driven by an aging global population, increasing surgical procedures, and the continuous need for effective wound management solutions that promote healing and prevent complications. Innovation in biomaterials and drug delivery systems also contributes to the market's growth.
- Covers
- Antiseptic gauze pads
- Medicated bandages
- Silver-impregnated dressings
- Hydrogel dressings (medicated)
- Paraffin gauze dressings
- Iodine-coated swabs
- Antibiotic-impregnated surgical sponges
- Examples
- Betadine Antiseptic Swabs
- Aquacel Ag+ Extra (silver dressing)
- Jelonet Paraffin Gauze
- Mepilex Ag (silver foam dressing)
- Bactigras Chlorhexidine Gauze
Codes often confused with 3005.90
Common mistake. Often confused with 300510 (adhesive dressings) if the adhesive component is prominent, or 300490 if the pharmaceutical substance is considered the primary medicament rather than the dressing itself.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 300590, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 300590 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 25% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 17% 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 China $1.3B 25% of world exports
- 2 United States $587M 11% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $538M 10% of world exports
World total: $5.3B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $906M 17% of world imports
- 2 Germany $646M 12% of world imports
- 3 Netherlands $333M 6.1% of world imports
World total: $5.4B 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 3005.90 5
Brazil splits HS 3005.90 into 5 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 3005.90.1 Absorbable dressingsCurativos (pensos) reabsorvíveis Group
- 3005.90.11 Absorbable polyglycolic acid dressingsDe ácido poliglicólico
- 3005.90.12 Absorbable glycolic-lactic copolymer dressingsDe copolímeros de ácido glicólico e ácido láctico
- 3005.90.19 Other absorbable dressingsOutros
- 3005.90.20 Nonwoven surgical drapesCampos cirúrgicos, de falso tecido (tecido não tecido)
- 3005.90.90 Other medical wadding, gauze and bandagesOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 30.05 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 3005.90
What is HS code 300590?
HS code 300590 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Wadding, gauze, bandages and similar articles; (excluding adhesive dressings), impregnated or coated with pharmaceutical substances, packaged for retail sale. This category encompasses wadding, gauze, bandages, and similar articles (excluding adhesive dressings) that are impregnated or coated with pharmaceutical substances and packaged for retail sale. These specialized medical products are crucial for advanced wound care, infection prevention, and targeted topical drug delivery. The global trade involves both pharmaceutical and medical device companies, focusing on sterile manufacturing, the efficacy of the active pharmaceutical ingredients, and stringent regulatory approvals. Demand is driven by an aging global population, increasing surgical procedures, and the continuous need for effective wound management solutions that promote healing and prevent complications. Innovation in biomaterials and drug delivery systems also contributes to the market's growth.
What products fall under HS code 300590?
Antiseptic gauze pads, Medicated bandages, Silver-impregnated dressings, Hydrogel dressings (medicated), Paraffin gauze dressings, Iodine-coated swabs, Antibiotic-impregnated surgical sponges
What are common misclassifications for HS code 300590?
Often confused with 300510 (adhesive dressings) if the adhesive component is prominent, or 300490 if the pharmaceutical substance is considered the primary medicament rather than the dressing itself.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 300590?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 300590 in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.3B, 25% of world exports), the United States ($587M) and the Netherlands ($538M). World exports came to about $5.3B, 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 300590?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 300590 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($906M, 17% of world imports), Germany ($646M) and the Netherlands ($333M). World imports came to about $5.4B, 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 300590 structured?
HS code 300590 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (30) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (05) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (90) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 300590?
Brazil splits HS code 300590 into 5 NCM codes: 3005.90.11 (Absorbable polyglycolic acid dressings), 3005.90.12 (Absorbable glycolic-lactic copolymer dressings), 3005.90.19 (Other absorbable dressings), 3005.90.20 (Nonwoven surgical drapes), 3005.90.90 (Other medical wadding, gauze and bandages). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.