Product classification
HS code for Animal bile: 0510.00
Animal products, ambergris, castoreum, civet, musk, cantharides, bile (dried or not) glands and other animal products, for pharmaceutical purposes, fresh, chilled, frozen or otherwise provisionally preserved.
Classification of animal bile under HS 0510.00
Animal bile is classified under HS code 0510.00 because it is a primary animal product specifically intended for pharmaceutical purposes. This heading covers animal secretions and organs that have not been further processed beyond basic preservation methods like drying, freezing, or chilling. The classification is determined by the intended use (pharmaceutical) and the state of the product. If the bile is refined into specific chemical components or prepared as a finished medicament, it would move to Chapter 29 or 30. However, raw or provisionally preserved bile remains in Chapter 5. This includes bile from various animals such as cattle, pigs, or poultry, provided it is collected for its medicinal properties. The Harmonized System places these items here to distinguish them from edible offal or general animal waste. The inclusion of "dried or not" in the description ensures that even dehydrated bile remains in this category, provided it hasn't been chemically altered or extracted into a concentrated form. The trade of these products is highly regulated due to their biological nature and their role as precursors in the pharmaceutical industry.
- Covers
- Dried ox bile
- Fresh hog bile
- Frozen bovine bile
- Bile glands for pharmaceutical extraction
- Provisionally preserved animal secretions
- Also under 0510.00
- High-end perfumes (using ambergris/musk as fixatives)
- traditional Chinese medicine formulations
- pharmaceutical research compounds
- specific homeopathic remedies
Codes often confused with 0510.00
Common mistake. Animal bile is frequently misclassified under HS code 0511.99, which is a general category for animal products not elsewhere specified. However, because 0510.00 specifically mentions bile for pharmaceutical purposes, it takes precedence. Another common error is using HS code 3001.90. While 3001.90 covers animal extracts for therapeutic use, it is reserved for substances that have undergone significant preparation or extraction. Raw bile, even if dried, stays in 0510.00. Additionally, if the bile is processed into a specific bile acid like deoxycholic acid, it must be classified in Chapter 29, specifically 2918.19, as a chemically defined organic acid.
Top exporters and importers of HS 051000 (the code used for animal bile), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 051000 (the code used for animal bile) in UN Comtrade data was Brazil, with 42% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Hong Kong, with 34% 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 051000, not only animal bile.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Brazil $176M 42% of world exports
- 2 Russia* ~$38M 9.1% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 United States $30M 7.2% of world exports
World total: $418M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Hong Kong $156M 34% of world imports
- 2 Germany $84M 18% of world imports
- 3 South Korea $45M 9.8% of world imports
World total: $459M 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 animal bile
Brazil splits HS 0510.00 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 0510.00.10Bovine pancreas for pharmaceutical use
- 0510.00.90Other ambergris, musk, bile and gland products
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about animal bile
What is the HS code for Animal bile?
The HS code for Animal bile is 051000 (Animal products; ambergris, castoreum, civet, musk, cantharides, bile (dried or not) glands and other animal products, for pharmaceutical purposes, fresh, chilled, frozen or otherwise provisionally preserved). The HS code for animal bile, whether fresh, chilled, frozen, or dried, is 0510.00, provided it is intended for pharmaceutical use.
How do I classify Animal bile for customs?
Animal bile is classified under HS code 051000 — Animal products; ambergris, castoreum, civet, musk, cantharides, bile (dried or not) glands and other animal products, for pharmaceutical purposes, fresh, chilled, frozen or otherwise provisionally preserved. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include bile from fish?
No, HS code 0510.00 generally excludes fish products. Fish waste and similar products are typically classified under HS code 0511.91.
Which countries are the top exporters of animal bile (HS 051000)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 051000 (the code used for animal bile) in UN Comtrade data were Brazil ($176M, 42% of world exports), Russia (about $38M) and the United States ($30M). World exports came to about $418M, 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 animal bile (HS 051000)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 051000 (the code used for animal bile) in UN Comtrade data were Hong Kong ($156M, 34% of world imports), Germany ($84M) and South Korea ($45M). World imports came to about $459M, 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 Animal bile the same in all countries?
The base HS code 051000 for Animal bile 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 animal bile in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 051000 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for animal bile depends on the product's details: 0510.00.10 (Bovine pancreas for pharmaceutical use), 0510.00.90 (Other ambergris, musk, bile and gland products).