Product classification
HS code for Alkaloid medicine: 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.
Classification of alkaloid medicine under HS 3004.49
Alkaloid medicines are classified under HS code 300449. This code falls within Chapter 30, which covers "Pharmaceutical products." Specifically, heading 3004 addresses "Medicaments (excluding goods of heading 3002, 3005 or 3006) consisting of mixed or unmixed products for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, put up in measured doses (including those in the form of transdermal administration systems) or in forms or packings for retail sale." Subheading 300449 is 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." This classification is precise for finished pharmaceutical products containing alkaloids, provided they do not contain the specifically excluded substances.
- Covers
- Morphine-based pain relievers
- Codeine-based cough suppressants (excluding those with ephedrine/pseudoephedrine)
- Quinine-based antimalarials
- Atropine-based ophthalmic preparations
- Vinca alkaloid chemotherapy drugs
- Also under 3004.49
- Nucynta (tapentadol)
- OxyContin (oxycodone)
- Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine)
- Digoxin (digitalis glycoside)
- Belladonna alkaloids
Codes often confused with 3004.49
Common mistake. Common misclassifications arise from the specific exclusions within the heading. Medicaments containing ephedrine or its salts are classified under HS 300441, not 300449. Similarly, those containing pseudoephedrine or norephedrine are classified under HS 300442. Another frequent error is confusing finished medicaments with raw alkaloids. HS 2939 covers "Alkaloids, natural or reproduced by synthesis, and their salts, ethers, esters and other derivatives," which refers to the bulk active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), not prepared medicaments packaged for retail sale. The distinction lies in whether the product is a raw chemical or a finished pharmaceutical product.
Top exporters and importers of HS 300449 (the code used for alkaloid medicine), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 300449 (the code used for alkaloid medicine) 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.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 300449, not only alkaloid medicine.
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 alkaloid medicine
Brazil splits HS 3004.49 into 6 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 3004.49.10Vinblastine/vincristine/topotecan drugs
- 3004.49.20Pilocarpine medicaments, dosed/retail
- 3004.49.30Dihydroergocristine medicaments, dosed/retail
- 3004.49.40Codeine medicaments, dosed/retail
- 3004.49.50Granisetron/tropisetron medicaments, dosed/retail
- 3004.49.90Other alkaloid medicaments, dosed/retail
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about alkaloid medicine
What is the HS code for Alkaloid medicine?
The HS code for Alkaloid medicine is 300449 (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). The HS code for Alkaloid medicine is 300449.
How do I classify Alkaloid medicine for customs?
Alkaloid medicine is classified under HS code 300449 — 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 is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What does "packaged for retail sale" mean in this context?
In this context, "packaged for retail sale" signifies that the medicament is put up in measured doses or in forms or packings intended for direct use by the consumer without further processing. This includes blister packs, bottles of tablets, or pre-filled syringes, as opposed to bulk quantities for pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Which countries are the top exporters of alkaloid medicine (HS 300449)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 300449 (the code used for alkaloid medicine) 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 alkaloid medicine (HS 300449)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 300449 (the code used for alkaloid medicine) 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.
Is the HS code for Alkaloid medicine the same in all countries?
The base HS code 300449 for Alkaloid medicine is internationally standardized for the first 6 digits across 200+ countries. Individual countries may add additional digits for national tariff lines and specific classifications.
What is the NCM code for alkaloid medicine in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 300449 into 6 NCM codes, so the right one for alkaloid medicine depends on the product's details: 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).