HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 3006.10 – Pharmaceutical goods; sterile surgical catgut, suture materials, tissue adhesives, laminaria, laminaria tents, absorbable surgical or dental haemostatics, and surgical or dental adhesion barriers
HS code 3006.10 is the 6-digit subheading for pharmaceutical goods, sterile surgical catgut, suture materials, tissue adhesives, laminaria, laminaria tents, absorbable surgical or dental haemostatics, and surgical or dental adhesion barriers. It is used for absorbable sutures (e.g., Vicryl, PDS), non-absorbable sutures (e.g., Nylon, Prolene), surgical tissue adhesives, absorbable haemostatic agents (e.g., gelatin sponges) and surgical adhesion barriers.
What HS 3006.10 covers
This HS code covers a range of critical sterile pharmaceutical goods essential for surgical and dental procedures, including surgical catgut, suture materials, tissue adhesives, laminaria, absorbable haemostatics, and surgical adhesion barriers. The international trade in these high-value medical consumables is dominated by specialized medical device manufacturers, supplying hospitals, clinics, and dental practices globally. Key aspects include material biocompatibility, guaranteed sterility, specific mechanical properties (e.g., tensile strength for sutures), and absorption rates. Strict regulatory compliance, such as FDA and CE marking, is paramount. The market is driven by the volume of surgical procedures, advancements in minimally invasive techniques, and the continuous demand for safer and more effective medical interventions to improve patient outcomes.
- Covers
- Absorbable sutures (e.g., Vicryl, PDS)
- Non-absorbable sutures (e.g., Nylon, Prolene)
- Surgical tissue adhesives
- Absorbable haemostatic agents (e.g., gelatin sponges)
- Surgical adhesion barriers
- Dental sutures
- Sterile surgical catgut
- Examples
- Ethicon Vicryl Suture
- Covidien Surgipro Suture
- Dermabond Topical Skin Adhesive
- Gelfoam Absorbable Gelatin Sponge
- Seprafilm Adhesion Barrier
Codes often confused with 3006.10
Common mistake. Can be confused with 9018 (instruments and appliances used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences) if the item is perceived as a tool rather than a consumable, or 300590 if not clearly identified as a specialized surgical material.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 300610, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 300610 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 25% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Belgium, with 18% 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 United States $1.4B 25% of world exports
- 2 Belgium $1.2B 21% of world exports
- 3 Germany $791M 14% of world exports
World total: $5.6B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Belgium $981M 18% of world imports
- 2 United States $703M 13% of world imports
- 3 Germany $646M 12% of world imports
World total: $5.5B 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 3006.10 3
Brazil splits HS 3006.10 into 3 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 3006.10.10 Polydioxanone surgical suture materialsMateriais para suturas cirúrgicas, de polidioxanona
- 3006.10.20 Stainless steel surgical suture materialsMateriais para suturas cirúrgicas, de aço inoxidável
- 3006.10.90 Other sterile sutures, haemostatics and similarOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 30.06 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 3006.10
What is HS code 300610?
HS code 300610 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Pharmaceutical goods; sterile surgical catgut, suture materials, tissue adhesives, laminaria, laminaria tents, absorbable surgical or dental haemostatics, and surgical or dental adhesion barriers. This HS code covers a range of critical sterile pharmaceutical goods essential for surgical and dental procedures, including surgical catgut, suture materials, tissue adhesives, laminaria, absorbable haemostatics, and surgical adhesion barriers. The international trade in these high-value medical consumables is dominated by specialized medical device manufacturers, supplying hospitals, clinics, and dental practices globally. Key aspects include material biocompatibility, guaranteed sterility, specific mechanical properties (e.g., tensile strength for sutures), and absorption rates. Strict regulatory compliance, such as FDA and CE marking, is paramount. The market is driven by the volume of surgical procedures, advancements in minimally invasive techniques, and the continuous demand for safer and more effective medical interventions to improve patient outcomes.
What products fall under HS code 300610?
Absorbable sutures (e.g., Vicryl, PDS), Non-absorbable sutures (e.g., Nylon, Prolene), Surgical tissue adhesives, Absorbable haemostatic agents (e.g., gelatin sponges), Surgical adhesion barriers, Dental sutures, Sterile surgical catgut
What are common misclassifications for HS code 300610?
Can be confused with 9018 (instruments and appliances used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences) if the item is perceived as a tool rather than a consumable, or 300590 if not clearly identified as a specialized surgical material.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 300610?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 300610 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.4B, 25% of world exports), Belgium ($1.2B) and Germany ($791M). World exports came to about $5.6B, 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 300610?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 300610 in UN Comtrade data were Belgium ($981M, 18% of world imports), the United States ($703M) and Germany ($646M). World imports came to about $5.5B, 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.
How is HS code 300610 structured?
HS code 300610 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (30) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (06) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (10) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 300610?
Brazil splits HS code 300610 into 3 NCM codes: 3006.10.10 (Polydioxanone surgical suture materials), 3006.10.20 (Stainless steel surgical suture materials), 3006.10.90 (Other sterile sutures, haemostatics and similar). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.