Product classification
HS code for Antimalarial drugs: 3004.60
Medicaments, containing antimalarial active principles described in Subheading Note 2 to this Chapter, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale.
Classification of antimalarial drugs under HS 3004.60
Antimalarial drugs are classified under HS code 300460 because this specific subheading is dedicated to "Medicaments; containing antimalarial active principles described in Subheading Note 2 to this Chapter, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale." This classification precisely captures pharmaceutical preparations designed to treat or prevent malaria, provided they contain the specified active ingredients and are prepared for direct consumer use. The emphasis on "active principles described in Subheading Note 2" ensures that only specific, recognized antimalarial compounds fall under this category, distinguishing them from general pharmaceutical products.
- Covers
- Chloroquine phosphate tablets
- Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) suchs as Artemether-Lumefantrine
- Mefloquine hydrochloride tablets
- Doxycycline capsules for malaria prophylaxis
- Primaquine phosphate tablets
- Also under 3004.60
- Coartem (artemether/lumefantrine)
- Malarone (atovaquone/proguanil)
- Lariam (mefloquine)
- Aralen (chloroquine)
- Doxy-PEP (doxycycline)
Codes often confused with 3004.60
Common mistake. A common misclassification risk involves HS code 300490, which covers "Other medicaments." Antimalarial drugs should not be classified under 300490 if they contain active principles specifically listed in Subheading Note 2 to Chapter 30, as 300460 is a more specific and appropriate classification. Another potential confusion arises with HS code 3003, which pertains to medicaments not put up in measured doses or for retail sale. If antimalarial active principles are imported in bulk form or not prepared for retail, they would fall under 3003, but once packaged for retail, they transition to 300460.
Top exporters and importers of HS 300460 (the code used for antimalarial drugs), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 300460 (the code used for antimalarial drugs) in UN Comtrade data was India, with 43% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Sweden, with 18% 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 300460, not only antimalarial drugs.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 India $185M 43% of world exports
- 2 China $141M 33% of world exports
- 3 Switzerland $18M 4.2% of world exports
World total: $427M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Sweden $98M 18% of world imports
- 2 Egypt $79M 15% of world imports
- 3 Nigeria $43M 8.0% of world imports
World total: $535M 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 antimalarial drugs
Brazil classifies antimalarial drugs under NCM 3004.60.00: HS 3004.60 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about antimalarial drugs
What is the HS code for Antimalarial drugs?
The HS code for Antimalarial drugs is 300460 (Medicaments; containing antimalarial active principles described in Subheading Note 2 to this Chapter, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale). The HS code for antimalarial drugs, when packaged for retail sale and containing specific antimalarial active principles, is 300460.
How do I classify Antimalarial drugs for customs?
Antimalarial drugs is classified under HS code 300460 — Medicaments; containing antimalarial active principles described in Subheading Note 2 to this Chapter, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What criteria define 'antimalarial active principles' under HS 300460?
The criteria for "antimalarial active principles" under HS 300460 are defined by Subheading Note 2 to Chapter 30. This note specifies a list of compounds and their derivatives, such as artemisinin, chloroquine, halofantrine, mefloquine, and primaquine, which are recognized for their antimalarial properties. Products containing these substances, when prepared as medicaments for retail, are classified under this code.
Which countries are the top exporters of antimalarial drugs (HS 300460)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 300460 (the code used for antimalarial drugs) in UN Comtrade data were India ($185M, 43% of world exports), China ($141M) and Switzerland ($18M). World exports came to about $427M, 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 antimalarial drugs (HS 300460)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 300460 (the code used for antimalarial drugs) in UN Comtrade data were Sweden ($98M, 18% of world imports), Egypt ($79M) and Nigeria ($43M). World imports came to about $535M, 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 Antimalarial drugs the same in all countries?
The base HS code 300460 for Antimalarial drugs 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 antimalarial drugs in Brazil?
In Brazil, antimalarial drugs (HS 300460) is classified under NCM 3004.60.00.