Product classification
HS code for Insulin: 3004.31
Medicaments, containing insulin, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale.
Classification of insulin under HS 3004.31
Insulin is classified under HS code 3004.31. This classification falls within Chapter 30, which covers pharmaceutical products. Heading 3004 is specifically for medicaments consisting of mixed or unmixed products for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, put up in measured doses or in forms or packings for retail sale. Subheading 3004.31 is the specific designation for medicaments containing insulin. The classification requires that the insulin be prepared for medical use and packaged in a way that is ready for sale to the end-user or hospital, such as in vials, cartridges, or pre-filled pens. This code ensures that life-saving insulin is tracked specifically within international trade statistics. The distinction between Chapter 29 and Chapter 30 is vital; Chapter 30 is reserved for products that have been further processed into specific dosages or retail packaging for medical treatment, whereas Chapter 29 covers the raw chemical hormones.
- Covers
- Insulin glargine in pre-filled pens
- Insulin lispro cartridges for pumps
- Vials of human insulin for injection
- Rapid-acting and long-acting insulin preparations
- Isophane insulin suspensions for retail sale
- Also under 3004.31
- Lantus
- Novolog
- Levemir
- Humulin N
- Humalog
- Apidra
Codes often confused with 3004.31
Common mistake. Insulin is sometimes misclassified under HS code 2937.12. Heading 2937 covers hormones in their pure chemical state or as bulk substances not yet prepared as medicaments. If the insulin is in bulk form and not packaged for retail sale, it belongs in Chapter 29. Another misclassification involves HS code 3003.31, which is for medicaments containing insulin that are not put up in measured doses or for retail sale. Finally, insulin pumps themselves are classified under 9018.90 as medical instruments, not as the medicament.
Top exporters and importers of HS 300431 (the code used for insulin), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 300431 (the code used for insulin) in UN Comtrade data was France, with 45% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 14% 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 300431, not only insulin.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 France $1.7B 45% of world exports
- 2 Germany $814M 21% of world exports
- 3 United States $251M 6.6% of world exports
World total: $3.8B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $772M 14% of world imports
- 2 France $616M 11% of world imports
- 3 Canada $323M 5.7% of world imports
World total: $5.6B 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 insulin
Brazil classifies insulin under NCM 3004.31.00: HS 3004.31 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about insulin
What is the HS code for Insulin?
The HS code for Insulin is 300431 (Medicaments; containing insulin, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale). The HS code for insulin packaged for retail sale is 3004.31.
How do I classify Insulin for customs?
Insulin is classified under HS code 300431 — Medicaments; containing insulin, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are insulin pens classified under this code?
Yes, pre-filled insulin pens are classified under 3004.31 because they contain the medicament in a measured dose for retail sale.
Which countries are the top exporters of insulin (HS 300431)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 300431 (the code used for insulin) in UN Comtrade data were France ($1.7B, 45% of world exports), Germany ($814M) and the United States ($251M). World exports came to about $3.8B, 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.
Which countries are the top importers of insulin (HS 300431)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 300431 (the code used for insulin) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($772M, 14% of world imports), France ($616M) and Canada ($323M). World imports came to about $5.6B, 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 Insulin the same in all countries?
The base HS code 300431 for Insulin 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 insulin in Brazil?
In Brazil, insulin (HS 300431) is classified under NCM 3004.31.00.