Product classification
HS code for Ephedra: 1211.50
Ephedra, of a kind used primarily in perfumery, in pharmacy or for insecticidal, fungicidal or similar purposes, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not cut, crushed or powdered.
Classification of ephedra under HS 1211.50
Ephedra is classified under HS code 1211.50 based on its nature as a raw plant material used primarily for medicinal or pharmaceutical purposes. Chapter 12 of the Harmonized System encompasses oil seeds, oleaginous fruits, and various industrial or medicinal plants. Heading 1211 specifically covers plants and parts of plants (including seeds and fruits) of a kind used primarily in perfumery, in pharmacy, or for insecticidal, fungicidal, or similar purposes. Within this heading, 1211.50 is the specific international subheading for the Ephedra plant. This classification applies to the plant in its natural state, whether fresh, chilled, frozen, or dried. It also includes the plant material if it has been cut, crushed, or ground into a powder. The essential criterion for classification under 1211.50 is that the plant has not undergone any extraction process or chemical modification. Once the active alkaloids are extracted or the plant is processed into a refined vegetable sap, it must be classified in Chapter 13. This code is vital for customs authorities to monitor the trade of botanical precursors used in the production of stimulants.
- Covers
- Dried Ephedra sinica stems
- Powdered ephedra herb (Ma Huang)
- Fresh ephedra plant parts for pharmaceutical processing
- Crushed ephedra leaves and stalks
- Frozen ephedra plant material
- Also under 1211.50
- KPC Products (herbal extracts)
- Gaia Herbs (botanical ingredients)
- various traditional Chinese medicine suppliers
- pharmaceutical raw material distributors.
Codes often confused with 1211.50
Common mistake. Ephedra is most commonly misclassified under 1302.14, which is reserved for ephedra extracts. It is also sometimes confused with 1211.90 (other medicinal plants) if the specific subheading 1211.50 is overlooked. Additionally, pure ephedrine alkaloids are classified in 2939.41, not 1211.50.
Top exporters and importers of HS 121150 (the code used for ephedra), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 121150 (the code used for ephedra) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 76% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was South Korea, with 44% 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 121150, not only ephedra.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $3.8M 76% of world exports
- 2 Pakistan $427K 8.5% of world exports
- 3 United Kingdom $396K 7.9% of world exports
World total: $5.0M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 South Korea $2.9M 44% of world imports
- 2 Japan $1.9M 29% of world imports
- 3 France $674K 10% of world imports
World total: $6.5M 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 ephedra
Brazil classifies ephedra under NCM 1211.50.00: HS 1211.50 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about ephedra
What is the HS code for Ephedra?
The HS code for Ephedra is 121150 (Ephedra, of a kind used primarily in perfumery, in pharmacy or for insecticidal, fungicidal or similar purposes, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not cut, crushed or powdered). The HS code for the raw or dried Ephedra plant is 1211.50.
How do I classify Ephedra for customs?
Ephedra is classified under HS code 121150 — Ephedra, of a kind used primarily in perfumery, in pharmacy or for insecticidal, fungicidal or similar purposes, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not cut, crushed or powdered. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include ephedra tea bags?
If the tea bags contain only crushed ephedra leaves, they may stay in 1211.50, but if they are blended with other herbs for retail sale, they may move to 2106.90.
Which countries are the top exporters of ephedra (HS 121150)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 121150 (the code used for ephedra) in UN Comtrade data were China ($3.8M, 76% of world exports), Pakistan ($427K) and the United Kingdom ($396K). World exports came to about $5.0M, 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 ephedra (HS 121150)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 121150 (the code used for ephedra) in UN Comtrade data were South Korea ($2.9M, 44% of world imports), Japan ($1.9M) and France ($674K). World imports came to about $6.5M, 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 Ephedra the same in all countries?
The base HS code 121150 for Ephedra 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 ephedra in Brazil?
In Brazil, ephedra (HS 121150) is classified under NCM 1211.50.00.