Product classification

HS code for Bulk antibiotic medicaments: 3003.20

Medicaments, containing antibiotics other than penicillins, streptomycins and their derivatives, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, (not in measured doses, not packaged for retail sale).

Classification of bulk antibiotic medicaments under HS 3003.20

Bulk antibiotic medicaments are classified under HS code 3003.20 based on their chemical composition and the nature of their packaging. This code falls under Chapter 30, which is dedicated to pharmaceutical products. Specifically, heading 3003 applies to medicaments consisting of two or more constituents which have been mixed together for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, but which are not put up in measured doses or in forms or packings for retail sale. The subheading 3003.20 is reserved for those mixtures containing antibiotics other than penicillins, streptomycins, or their derivatives. This includes a wide range of antibiotic classes such as tetracyclines, erythromycins, and cephalosporins. The classification relies on the product being a prepared medicine ready for use in treatment, rather than a pure chemical compound, which would be found in Chapter 29. The "bulk" status indicates the product is intended for further processing, such as being filled into capsules or bottles for retail distribution.

Covers
  • Bulk mixtures of erythromycin for therapeutic use
  • Tetracycline compounds in large-scale containers
  • Cephalosporin mixtures not yet in dosage form
  • Bulk antibiotic powders mixed with excipients
Also under 3003.20

Mylan N.V. bulk antibiotics, Cipla Ltd. API, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries bulk drugs, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories API, Lupin Limited bulk cephalosporins

Codes often confused with 3003.20

Common mistake. The most common confusion occurs with HS code 3004.20. The difference lies entirely in the packaging and dosage. If the antibiotic is in measured doses (such as 500mg tablets) or packaged for retail sale (in a box with patient instructions), it must be classified under 3004.20. Another error involves 3003.10, which is specifically for penicillins and streptomycins. Furthermore, if the product is a pure antibiotic chemical that has not been mixed with any other ingredients or excipients, it should be classified in Chapter 29 under heading 2941 rather than Chapter 30.

3004.20Medicaments; containing antibiotics (other than penicillins, streptomycins or their derivatives), for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale3003.10Medicaments; containing penicillins, streptomycins or their derivatives, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, (not in measured doses, not packaged for retail sale)29.41Antibiotics

Top exporters and importers of HS 300320 (the code used for bulk antibiotic medicaments), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 300320 (the code used for bulk antibiotic medicaments) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 54% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, 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 300320, not only bulk antibiotic medicaments.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 China $502M
  2. 2 Italy $108M
  3. 3 Netherlands $59M

World total: $931M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $359M
  2. 2 Netherlands $136M
  3. 3 Switzerland $111M

World total: $1.1B 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 codes for bulk antibiotic medicaments

Brazil splits HS 3003.20 into 26 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 antibiotic medicaments

What is the HS code for Bulk antibiotic medicaments?

The HS code for Bulk antibiotic medicaments is 300320 (Medicaments; containing antibiotics other than penicillins, streptomycins and their derivatives, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, (not in measured doses, not packaged for retail sale)). The HS code for bulk antibiotic medicaments (excluding penicillins and streptomycins) is 3003.20.

How do I classify Bulk antibiotic medicaments for customs?

Bulk antibiotic medicaments is classified under HS code 300320 — Medicaments; containing antibiotics other than penicillins, streptomycins and their derivatives, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, (not in measured doses, not packaged for retail sale). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

What defines a medicament as "bulk" for this classification?

A medicament is considered "bulk" under heading 3003 if it is not put up in measured doses (like tablets or capsules) and is not packaged in a way that is ready for sale to the end consumer.

Which countries are the top exporters of bulk antibiotic medicaments (HS 300320)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 300320 (the code used for bulk antibiotic medicaments) in UN Comtrade data were China ($502M, 54% of world exports), Italy ($108M) and the Netherlands ($59M). World exports came to about $931M, 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 antibiotic medicaments (HS 300320)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 300320 (the code used for bulk antibiotic medicaments) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($359M, 31% of world imports), the Netherlands ($136M) and Switzerland ($111M). World imports came to about $1.1B, 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.

Is the HS code for Bulk antibiotic medicaments the same in all countries?

The base HS code 300320 for Bulk antibiotic 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 antibiotic medicaments in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 300320 into 26 NCM codes, so the right one for bulk antibiotic medicaments depends on the product's details: 3003.20.11 (Chloramphenicol medicaments, bulk), 3003.20.19 (Other amphenicol medicaments, bulk), 3003.20.21 (Erythromycin medicaments, bulk), 3003.20.29 (Other macrolide medicaments, bulk), 3003.20.31 (Rifamycin SV sodium medicaments, bulk), 3003.20.32 (Rifampicin medicaments, bulk), and more.