Product classification

HS code for Hormone medicine: 3004.39

Medicaments, containing hormones (but not insulin), adrenal cortex hormones or antibiotics, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale.

Classification of hormone medicine under HS 3004.39

Hormone medicines are classified under HS code 300439 because they represent medicaments consisting of mixed or unmixed products for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, which have been put up in measured doses or in forms or packings for retail sale. This specific subheading is a residual category for hormones within heading 3004, covering those that do not contain insulin or corticosteroid hormones (adrenal cortex hormones). The classification is governed by General Interpretative Rules 1 and 6, as well as the specific notes to Chapter 30. To fall under 300439, the product must be a finished pharmaceutical product ready for the end consumer. If the hormones were in bulk form, they would fall under Chapter 29, specifically under heading 2937. The distinction between 3004 and 3003 is also critical; 3004 requires the product to be in retail packaging or measured doses, whereas 3003 covers bulk mixtures. This code is vital for regulatory compliance and ensuring that life-saving medications are tracked correctly across borders.

Covers
  • Thyroid hormones in tablet form for retail sale
  • Growth hormones packaged for individual therapeutic use
  • Sex hormones such as estrogens and progestogens in retail doses
  • Pituitary hormones prepared for prophylactic use
  • Hormonal treatments for fertility in retail packaging
Also under 3004.39
  • Synthroid
  • Estrace
  • AndroGel
  • Prometrium
  • Genotropin
  • Pitocin
  • DDAVP

Codes often confused with 3004.39

Common mistake. Hormone medicines are frequently confused with HS code 300431, which is reserved specifically for medicaments containing insulin. Another common error is using 300432, which is dedicated to medicaments containing adrenal cortex hormones (corticosteroids). Furthermore, pure hormones that are not yet prepared into medicaments or put up for retail sale must be classified in Chapter 29, specifically under heading 2937. Importers often fail to distinguish between bulk chemical substances and finished pharmaceutical products, leading to significant duty and regulatory discrepancies.

3004.31Medicaments; containing insulin, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale3004.32Medicaments; containing corticosteroid hormones, their derivatives or structural analogues (but not containing antibiotics), for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale29.37Hormones, prostaglandins, thromboxanes and leukotrienes, natural or reproduced by synthesis; derivatives and structural analogues thereof, including chain modified polypeptides, used primarily as hormones.

Top exporters and importers of HS 300439 (the code used for hormone medicine), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 300439 (the code used for hormone medicine) in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 36% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was France, with 13% 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 300439, not only hormone medicine.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Italy $22.6B
  2. 2 France $8.9B
  3. 3 Germany $7.6B

World total: $62.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 France $8.3B
  2. 2 United Kingdom $6.2B
  3. 3 United States $6.1B

World total: $65.8B 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 hormone medicine

Brazil splits HS 3004.39 into 32 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:

  • 3004.39.11Somatotropin medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.12Chorionic gonadotropin medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.13Menotropin medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.14Corticotropin (ACTH) medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.15Serum gonadotropin medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.16Somatostatin medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.17Buserelin medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.18Triptorelin medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.19Leuprorelin medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.21Gonadorelin (LH-RH) medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.22Oxytocin medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.23Insulin salt medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.24Thymosin medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.25Calcitonin medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.26Octreotide medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.27Goserelin medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.28Nafarelin medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.29Other peptide hormone medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.31Estradiol hemisuccinate medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.32Estradiol fenpropionate medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.33Estriol medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.34Allylestrenol medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.35Lynestrenol medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.36Megestrol acetate, formestane or fulvestrant drugs
  • 3004.39.37Desogestrel medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.39Other oestrogen/progestogen drugs, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.81Levothyroxine sodium medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.82Liothyronine sodium medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.91Cloprostenol sodium/methyl ester drugs
  • 3004.39.92Tiratricol (triac) medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.94Exemestane medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.99Other hormone medicaments, dosed/retail

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

Questions about hormone medicine

What is the HS code for Hormone medicine?

The HS code for Hormone medicine is 300439 (Medicaments; containing hormones (but not insulin), adrenal cortex hormones or antibiotics, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale). The HS code for hormone medicines (excluding insulin and adrenal cortex hormones) put up for retail sale is 300439.

How do I classify Hormone medicine for customs?

Hormone medicine is classified under HS code 300439 — Medicaments; containing hormones (but not insulin), adrenal cortex hormones or antibiotics, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Are oral contraceptives classified under this code?

Yes, oral contraceptives that contain hormones and are packaged for retail sale are typically classified under HS code 300439, as they are medicaments used for prophylactic purposes.

Which countries are the top exporters of hormone medicine (HS 300439)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 300439 (the code used for hormone medicine) in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($22.6B, 36% of world exports), France ($8.9B) and Germany ($7.6B). World exports came to about $62.0B, 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.

Which countries are the top importers of hormone medicine (HS 300439)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 300439 (the code used for hormone medicine) in UN Comtrade data were France ($8.3B, 13% of world imports), the United Kingdom ($6.2B) and the United States ($6.1B). World imports came to about $65.8B, 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 Hormone medicine the same in all countries?

The base HS code 300439 for Hormone medicine 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 hormone medicine in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 300439 into 32 NCM codes, so the right one for hormone medicine depends on the product's details: 3004.39.11 (Somatotropin medicaments, dosed/retail), 3004.39.12 (Chorionic gonadotropin medicaments, dosed/retail), 3004.39.13 (Menotropin medicaments, dosed/retail), 3004.39.14 (Corticotropin (ACTH) medicaments, dosed/retail), 3004.39.15 (Serum gonadotropin medicaments, dosed/retail), 3004.39.16 (Somatostatin medicaments, dosed/retail), and more.