Product classification
HS code for Bulk norephedrine medicaments: 3003.43
Medicaments, containing alkaloids or their derivatives, containing norephedrine or its salts, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, (not packaged for retail sale).
Classification of bulk norephedrine medicaments under HS 3003.43
HS code 300343 is a highly specific classification within heading 3003, which covers medicaments not put up in measured doses or for retail sale. This particular subheading is designated for medicaments that contain alkaloids or their derivatives, and more precisely, those containing norephedrine (also known as phenylpropanolamine) or its salts. The presence of norephedrine as an active pharmaceutical ingredient, combined with the product being a medicament intended for therapeutic or prophylactic use and not packaged for retail sale, directly leads to its classification under 300343. This specificity helps in the precise tracking and regulation of such substances, which are often subject to strict controls due to their pharmacological activity.
- Covers
- Bulk solutions, powders, or granules containing norephedrine or its salts
- Intermediate pharmaceutical products with norephedrine for further formulation into cough and cold preparations
- Bulk decongestants or appetite suppressants containing norephedrine, supplied to manufacturers
- Also under 3003.43
- Sigma-Aldrich Norephedrine
- TCI Chemicals Norephedrine
- Alfa Aesar Norephedrine
- Merck KGaA Norephedrine
- Santa Cruz Biotechnology Norephedrine
Codes often confused with 3003.43
Common mistake. 300443: This code is for \"Medicaments; containing alkaloids or their derivatives, containing norephedrine or its salts, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, put up in measured doses or in forms or packings for retail sale\". The crucial difference is the retail packaging and measured doses. Products under 300443 are ready for direct consumer use, whereas 300343 covers bulk or intermediate forms. 293949: This code covers \"Ephedrine and its salts; pseudoephedrine (INN) and its salts; cathine (INN) and its salts; norephedrine and its salts; salts of other alkaloids of ephedra\". This is for the pure chemical substance, norephedrine or its salts, not yet formulated into a medicament. HS 300343 applies when norephedrine has been combined with other constituents to form a medicament, even if in bulk. 300342: This code is for medicaments containing pseudoephedrine. Misclassification can occur if norephedrine and pseudoephedrine are confused, as they are structurally similar but distinct alkaloids.
Top exporters and importers of HS 300343 (the code used for bulk norephedrine medicaments), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 300343 (the code used for bulk norephedrine medicaments) in UN Comtrade data was Guatemala, with 45% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Nicaragua, with about 61% 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 300343, not only bulk norephedrine medicaments.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Guatemala $106K 45% of world exports
- 2 United States $86K 36% of world exports
- 3 France $24K 10% of world exports
World total: $235K Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Nicaragua* ~$106K 61% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 2 Germany $55K 31% of world imports
- 3 Kenya $9K 4.9% of world imports
World total: $175K 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 code for bulk norephedrine medicaments
Brazil classifies bulk norephedrine medicaments under NCM 3003.43.00: HS 3003.43 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about bulk norephedrine medicaments
What is the HS code for Bulk norephedrine medicaments?
The HS code for Bulk norephedrine medicaments is 300343 (Medicaments; containing alkaloids or their derivatives, containing norephedrine or its salts, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, (not packaged for retail sale)). The Harmonized System (HS) code for bulk medicaments containing norephedrine or its salts, not packaged for retail sale, is 300343.
How do I classify Bulk norephedrine medicaments for customs?
Bulk norephedrine medicaments is classified under HS code 300343 — Medicaments; containing alkaloids or their derivatives, containing norephedrine or its salts, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, (not packaged for retail sale). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Why is the \"alkaloids or their derivatives\" clause important for 300343?
The \"alkaloids or their derivatives\" clause is essential because it places norephedrine within a specific group of pharmacologically active compounds. This clause, combined with the specific mention of \"norephedrine or its salts,\" ensures that only medicaments containing this particular alkaloid, and not other types of active ingredients, are classified under 300343, facilitating precise customs control and regulatory oversight.
Which countries are the top exporters of bulk norephedrine medicaments (HS 300343)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 300343 (the code used for bulk norephedrine medicaments) in UN Comtrade data were Guatemala ($106K, 45% of world exports), the United States ($86K) and France ($24K). World exports came to about $235K, 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 norephedrine medicaments (HS 300343)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 300343 (the code used for bulk norephedrine medicaments) in UN Comtrade data were Nicaragua (about $106K, 61% of world imports), Germany ($55K) and Kenya ($9K). World imports came to about $175K, 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 norephedrine medicaments the same in all countries?
The base HS code 300343 for Bulk norephedrine 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 norephedrine medicaments in Brazil?
In Brazil, bulk norephedrine medicaments (HS 300343) is classified under NCM 3003.43.00.