HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 3006.70 – Pharmaceutical goods; Gel preparations designed to be used in human or veterinary medicine as a lubricant for parts of the body for surgical operations or physical examinations or as a coupling agent between the body and medical instruments

HS code 3006.70 is the 6-digit subheading for pharmaceutical goods, Gel preparations designed to be used in human or veterinary medicine as a lubricant for parts of the body for surgical operations or physical examinations or as a coupling agent between the body and medical instruments. It is used for ultrasound gel, ECG gel, surgical lubricant, catheter lubricant and endoscopy gel.

What HS 3006.70 covers

This HS code covers gel preparations specifically designed for medical use as lubricants during surgical operations, physical examinations, or as coupling agents for medical instruments. These products are indispensable in hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic centers globally, playing a crucial role in patient comfort and the efficacy of medical procedures. The trade involves specialized pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers exporting to healthcare providers, distributors, and procurement agencies worldwide. Importers include countries with advanced healthcare infrastructure as well as those expanding their medical services. Key aspects of this trade include ensuring sterility, compliance with medical device regulations, and packaging suitable for clinical environments. The demand is driven by the volume of medical procedures, diagnostic imaging, and the ongoing need for safe and effective patient care across all medical disciplines.

Covers
  • Ultrasound gel
  • ECG gel
  • Surgical lubricant
  • Catheter lubricant
  • Endoscopy gel
  • Obstetric gel
  • Conductive gel for medical devices
Examples
  • Aquasonic 100
  • Parker Laboratories SCAN
  • Surgilube
  • KY Jelly (medical grade)
  • OptiLube

Codes often confused with 3006.70

Common mistake. These gels might be confused with non-medical lubricants (3403) or even cosmetic gels (3304) if their specific medical application and intended use in human or veterinary medicine are not explicitly identified.

34.03Lubricating preparations and those used in oil or grease treatment of textile and similar materials; excluding preparations containing 70% or more (by weight) of petroleum or bituminous mineral oils33.04Cosmetic and toilet preparations; beauty, make-up and skin care preparations (excluding medicaments, including sunscreen or sun tan preparations), manicure or pedicure preparations

Top exporters and importers of HS code 300670, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 300670 in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 20% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 82% 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. 1 Netherlands $118M
  2. 2 United States $107M
  3. 3 Thailand $60M

World total: $583M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Netherlands $2.2B
  2. 2 United States $116M
  3. 3 Mexico $25M

World total: $2.6B 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 3006.70

Brazil does not split HS 3006.70: its NCM code is 3006.70.00.

  1. 3006.70.00 Medical gel lubricants and coupling agentsPreparações apresentadas sob a forma de gel concebidas para uso em medicina humana ou veterinária como lubrificante para determinadas partes do corpo em intervenções cirúrgicas ou exames médicos ou como meio de ligação entre o corpo e os instrumentos médicos

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 3006.70

What is HS code 300670?

HS code 300670 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Pharmaceutical goods; Gel preparations designed to be used in human or veterinary medicine as a lubricant for parts of the body for surgical operations or physical examinations or as a coupling agent between the body and medical instruments. This HS code covers gel preparations specifically designed for medical use as lubricants during surgical operations, physical examinations, or as coupling agents for medical instruments. These products are indispensable in hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic centers globally, playing a crucial role in patient comfort and the efficacy of medical procedures. The trade involves specialized pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers exporting to healthcare providers, distributors, and procurement agencies worldwide. Importers include countries with advanced healthcare infrastructure as well as those expanding their medical services. Key aspects of this trade include ensuring sterility, compliance with medical device regulations, and packaging suitable for clinical environments. The demand is driven by the volume of medical procedures, diagnostic imaging, and the ongoing need for safe and effective patient care across all medical disciplines.

What products fall under HS code 300670?

Ultrasound gel, ECG gel, surgical lubricant, catheter lubricant, endoscopy gel, obstetric gel, conductive gel for medical devices

What are common misclassifications for HS code 300670?

These gels might be confused with non-medical lubricants (3403) or even cosmetic gels (3304) if their specific medical application and intended use in human or veterinary medicine are not explicitly identified.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 300670?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 300670 in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($118M, 20% of world exports), the United States ($107M) and Thailand ($60M). World exports came to about $583M, 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 300670?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 300670 in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($2.2B, 82% of world imports), the United States ($116M) and Mexico ($25M). World imports came to about $2.6B, 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.

How is HS code 300670 structured?

HS code 300670 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 (70) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 300670?

In Brazil, HS code 300670 is NCM 3006.70.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.