Product classification
HS code for Culture media: 3821.00
Prepared culture media for the development or maintenance of micro-organisms (including viruses and the like) or of plant, human or animal cells.
Classification of culture media under HS 3821.00
Prepared culture media for the development or maintenance of micro-organisms or cells are classified under HS code 3821.00. This classification falls under Chapter 38, which encompasses miscellaneous chemical products. The code specifically applies to media that have been prepared—meaning they are mixtures of nutrients, agar, or other substances designed to support the growth of bacteria, viruses, fungi, or plant and animal cells. To qualify for this code, the media must be a prepared mixture; individual chemical components imported separately would be classified according to their own specific chemical headings in Chapter 28 or 29. The classification remains consistent whether the media is in liquid, semi-solid, or dehydrated powder form, provided it is a complete preparation ready for use after simple reconstitution or sterilization.
- Covers
- Dehydrated agar-based culture media
- Liquid nutrient broths for bacteria
- Cell culture media for mammalian cells
- Viral transport media (VTM)
- Selective media for pathogen identification
- Maintenance media for yeast and fungi
- Also under 3821.00
- Thermo Fisher Scientific culture media
- Merck Millipore cell culture media
- BD BBL media
- Corning cell culture products
- Lonza BioWhittaker media
Codes often confused with 3821.00
Common mistake. Culture media is often confused with HS code 3002.12, which covers antisera and other blood fractions, or 3002.90, which covers cultures of micro-organisms. While 3821.00 is for the "food" or environment for the organisms, 3002 is for the organisms themselves. Another misclassification occurs with HS code 3503.00 (gelatin) or 3504.00 (peptones) when these ingredients are imported in bulk rather than as part of a finished, prepared culture medium.
Top exporters and importers of HS 382100 (the code used for culture media), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 382100 (the code used for culture media) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 25% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 8.5% 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 382100, not only culture media.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $991M 25% of world exports
- 2 United Kingdom $490M 13% of world exports
- 3 France $471M 12% of world exports
World total: $3.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Netherlands $340M 8.5% of world imports
- 2 United States $309M 7.7% of world imports
- 3 China $301M 7.5% of world imports
World total: $4.0B 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 culture media
Brazil classifies culture media under NCM 3821.00.00: HS 3821.00 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about culture media
What is the HS code for Culture media?
The HS code for Culture media is 382100 (Prepared culture media for the development or maintenance of micro-organisms (including viruses and the like) or of plant, human or animal cells).
How do I classify Culture media for customs?
Culture media is classified under HS code 382100 — Prepared culture media for the development or maintenance of micro-organisms (including viruses and the like) or of plant, human or animal cells. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the HS code for prepared culture media?
The HS code for prepared culture media for the development of micro-organisms or cells is 3821.00.
Are individual nutrients for cell culture classified here?
No, individual nutrients like glucose or specific amino acids are classified under their respective headings in Chapter 29; only prepared mixtures fall under 3821.00.
Which countries are the top exporters of culture media (HS 382100)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 382100 (the code used for culture media) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($991M, 25% of world exports), the United Kingdom ($490M) and France ($471M). World exports came to about $3.9B, 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 culture media (HS 382100)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 382100 (the code used for culture media) in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($340M, 8.5% of world imports), the United States ($309M) and China ($301M). World imports came to about $4.0B, 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 Culture media the same in all countries?
The base HS code 382100 for Culture media 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 culture media in Brazil?
In Brazil, culture media (HS 382100) is classified under NCM 3821.00.00.