Product classification

HS code for Bulk alkaloid medicaments: 3003.49

Medicaments, containing alkaloids or their derivatives, other than ephedrine, pseudoephedrine (INN) or norephedrine or their salts, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, (not packaged for retail sale).

Classification of bulk alkaloid medicaments under HS 3003.49

HS code 300349 is specifically designated for medicaments containing alkaloids or their derivatives, intended for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, and crucially, not packaged for retail sale. This classification explicitly excludes certain specific alkaloids such as ephedrine, pseudoephedrine (INN), or norephedrine, or their salts, which fall under other specific subheadings. The "bulk" characteristic is paramount here, signifying that these products are typically supplied in large quantities, not in pre-measured doses, and are intended for further processing, compounding, or packaging by pharmaceutical manufacturers before direct consumer distribution. The classification under this heading emphasizes the product's status as a prepared medicament, rather than a raw chemical compound, highlighting its immediate application in medicinal formulations.

Covers
  • Bulk morphine sulfate solutions for pharmaceutical manufacturing
  • Codeine phosphate powder in industrial containers for compounding
  • Quinine sulfate in large drums for further processing into antimalarial drugs
  • Atropine sulfate in bulk form for ophthalmic or cardiac preparations
  • Strychnine nitrate for specialized medical preparations, in non-retail packaging
  • Papaverine hydrochloride in industrial quantities for spasmolytic formulations
Also under 3003.49

Indena S.p.A. Alkaloids, Macfarlan Smith Opium Alkaloids, Siegfried Holding AG APIs, Noramco Inc. Alkaloid APIs, Alkaloids of Australia

Codes often confused with 3003.49

Common mistake. A frequent area of misclassification involves HS code 300449, which also covers medicaments containing alkaloids or their derivatives but are specifically packaged for retail sale. The critical differentiator between 300349 and 300449 is the packaging status; 300349 is strictly for bulk, non-retail forms, whereas 300449 is for finished, consumer-ready products. Another potential source of confusion arises with Chapter 29, particularly heading 2939, which encompasses pure, unmixed alkaloids and their derivatives. The fundamental distinction is that 300349 applies to formulated medicaments, meaning the active alkaloid has been prepared with excipients or in a specific dosage form (even if bulk), while 2939 is reserved for the isolated, raw chemical substances themselves, prior to their incorporation into any medicinal preparation.

3004.49Medicaments; containing alkaloids or their derivatives; other than ephedrine, pseudoephedrine (INN) or norephedrine or their salts; for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale29.39Alkaloids; natural or reproduced by synthesis, and their salts, ethers, esters and other derivatives

Top exporters and importers of HS 300349 (the code used for bulk alkaloid medicaments), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 300349 (the code used for bulk alkaloid medicaments) in UN Comtrade data was Ireland, with 41% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Malaysia, with 31% 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 300349, not only bulk alkaloid medicaments.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Ireland $86M
  2. 2 Romania $46M
  3. 3 United States $18M

World total: $208M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Malaysia $36M
  2. 2 Japan $23M
  3. 3 United States $14M

World total: $116M 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 bulk alkaloid medicaments

Brazil splits HS 3003.49 into 6 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.

Questions about bulk alkaloid medicaments

What is the HS code for Bulk alkaloid medicaments?

The HS code for Bulk alkaloid medicaments is 300349 (Medicaments; containing alkaloids or their derivatives; other than ephedrine, pseudoephedrine (INN) or norephedrine or their salts; for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, (not packaged for retail sale)). The HS code for bulk alkaloid medicaments, which are not packaged for retail sale and exclude specific listed alkaloids, is 300349.

How do I classify Bulk alkaloid medicaments for customs?

Bulk alkaloid medicaments is classified under HS code 300349 — Medicaments; containing alkaloids or their derivatives; other than ephedrine, pseudoephedrine (INN) or norephedrine or their salts; for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, (not packaged for retail sale). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

What distinguishes 300349 from 300449?

The primary distinction between HS code 300349 and 300449 lies in the packaging. 300349 covers medicaments in bulk form, not prepared or packaged for direct retail sale, whereas 300449 applies to identical medicaments that are put up in measured doses or packaged for retail distribution to end-users.

Which countries are the top exporters of bulk alkaloid medicaments (HS 300349)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 300349 (the code used for bulk alkaloid medicaments) in UN Comtrade data were Ireland ($86M, 41% of world exports), Romania ($46M) and the United States ($18M). World exports came to about $208M, 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 bulk alkaloid medicaments (HS 300349)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 300349 (the code used for bulk alkaloid medicaments) in UN Comtrade data were Malaysia ($36M, 31% of world imports), Japan ($23M) and the United States ($14M). World imports came to about $116M, 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 Bulk alkaloid medicaments the same in all countries?

The base HS code 300349 for Bulk alkaloid medicaments 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 bulk alkaloid medicaments in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 300349 into 6 NCM codes, so the right one for bulk alkaloid medicaments depends on the product's details: 3003.49.10 (Vinblastine/vincristine/topotecan drugs, bulk), 3003.49.20 (Pilocarpine medicaments, bulk), 3003.49.30 (Dihydroergocristine medicaments, bulk), 3003.49.40 (Codeine medicaments, bulk), 3003.49.50 (Granisetron/tropisetron medicaments, bulk), 3003.49.90 (Other alkaloid medicaments, bulk).