HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 3006.93 – Pharmaceutical goods; placebos and blinded (or double-blinded) clinical trial kits for a recognised clinical trial, put up in measured doses

HS code 3006.93 is the 6-digit subheading for pharmaceutical goods, placebos and blinded (or double-blinded) clinical trial kits for a recognised clinical trial, put up in measured doses. It is used for placebo tablets, active drug comparator kits, blinded investigational medicinal product (IMP) kits, randomization kits and patient diary kits.

What HS 3006.93 covers

This HS code is dedicated to placebos and blinded (or double-blinded) clinical trial kits, put up in measured doses for recognized clinical trials. This niche but critical trade underpins global drug development and medical research. Pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations (CROs), and academic institutions are the primary entities involved in exporting and importing these materials. They are shipped globally to clinical trial sites where new drugs and treatments are tested. Key considerations include extremely strict regulatory compliance, precise manufacturing and packaging to maintain blinding, robust cold chain logistics for temperature-sensitive components, and meticulous inventory management. The integrity of these kits is paramount to the validity of clinical trial results, making their international movement highly controlled and specialized.

Covers
  • Placebo tablets
  • Active drug comparator kits
  • Blinded investigational medicinal product (IMP) kits
  • Randomization kits
  • Patient diary kits
  • Rescue medication kits
  • Dummy devices for trials
Examples
  • AstraZeneca Phase III trial kit
  • Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine trial placebo
  • GSK oncology study kit
  • Merck diabetes study kit

Codes often confused with 3006.93

Common mistake. These kits could be confused with standard medicaments (3004) or even diagnostic reagents (3822) if their specific use in a clinical trial and 'measured dose' presentation for blinding purposes isn't clearly highlighted.

30.04Medicaments; (not goods of heading no. 3002, 3005 or 3006) consisting of mixed or unmixed products for therapeutic or prophylactic use, put up in measured doses (incl. those in the form of transdermal admin. systems) or packed for retail sale38.22Reagents; diagnostic or laboratory reagents on a backing, prepared diagnostic or laboratory reagents whether or not on a backing, whether or not put up in the form of kits, other than those of heading 30.06; certified reference materials

Top exporters and importers of HS code 300693, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 300693 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 37% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Malaysia, with 38% 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 United States $533M
  2. 2 United Kingdom $146M
  3. 3 Malaysia $140M

World total: $1.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Malaysia $773M
  2. 2 United States $219M
  3. 3 Germany $177M

World total: $2.1B 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 3006.93

Brazil does not split HS 3006.93: its NCM code is 3006.93.00.

  1. 3006.93.00 Placebos and blinded clinical trial kitsPlacebos e estojos para ensaios clínicos cegos (ou duplo-cegos) destinados a um ensaio clínico reconhecido, apresentados em doses

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 3006.93

What is HS code 300693?

HS code 300693 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Pharmaceutical goods; placebos and blinded (or double-blinded) clinical trial kits for a recognised clinical trial, put up in measured doses. This HS code is dedicated to placebos and blinded (or double-blinded) clinical trial kits, put up in measured doses for recognized clinical trials. This niche but critical trade underpins global drug development and medical research. Pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations (CROs), and academic institutions are the primary entities involved in exporting and importing these materials. They are shipped globally to clinical trial sites where new drugs and treatments are tested. Key considerations include extremely strict regulatory compliance, precise manufacturing and packaging to maintain blinding, robust cold chain logistics for temperature-sensitive components, and meticulous inventory management. The integrity of these kits is paramount to the validity of clinical trial results, making their international movement highly controlled and specialized.

What products fall under HS code 300693?

Placebo tablets, active drug comparator kits, blinded investigational medicinal product (IMP) kits, randomization kits, patient diary kits, rescue medication kits, dummy devices for trials

What are common misclassifications for HS code 300693?

These kits could be confused with standard medicaments (3004) or even diagnostic reagents (3822) if their specific use in a clinical trial and 'measured dose' presentation for blinding purposes isn't clearly highlighted.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 300693?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 300693 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($533M, 37% of world exports), the United Kingdom ($146M) and Malaysia ($140M). World exports came to about $1.4B, 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.

Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 300693?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 300693 in UN Comtrade data were Malaysia ($773M, 38% of world imports), the United States ($219M) and Germany ($177M). World imports came to about $2.1B, 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 300693 structured?

HS code 300693 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 (93) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 300693?

In Brazil, HS code 300693 is NCM 3006.93.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.