Product classification
HS code for Medical lubricant gel: 3006.70
Pharmaceutical goods, Gel preparations designed to be used in human or veterinary medicine as a lubricant for parts of the body for surgical operations or physical examinations or as a coupling agent between the body and medical instruments.
Classification of medical lubricant gel under HS 3006.70
Medical lubricant gel is classified under HS code 3006.70. This classification is determined by the General Rules for the Interpretation of the Harmonized System (GRI), specifically focusing on the intended medical application of the product. Heading 3006 covers "Pharmaceutical goods," and subheading 3006.70 is specifically reserved for gel preparations designed for use in human or veterinary medicine. These products serve as lubricants for body parts during surgical operations or physical examinations, or as a coupling agent between the body and medical instruments. The essential character of these gels is their biocompatibility and sterile or high-hygiene formulation, which distinguishes them from industrial lubricants. Because they are used directly on or inside the body during medical procedures, they are treated as pharmaceutical adjuncts rather than simple chemical mixtures. This code ensures that the products are recognized for their clinical utility in diagnostic and therapeutic settings, requiring adherence to medical-grade manufacturing standards.
- Covers
- Ultrasound transmission gel
- Surgical lubricant (sterile)
- Electrocardiogram (ECG) electrode gel
- Catheter insertion lubricant
- Endoscopic examination gel
- Veterinary obstetric lubricant
- Also under 3006.70
- Aquasonic 100
- Parker Laboratories SCAN
- Surgilube
- KY Jelly (medical grade)
- OptiLube
Codes often confused with 3006.70
Common mistake. Medical lubricant gels are frequently misclassified under HS code 3304.99, which covers beauty or make-up preparations and skin-care products. While both may be gels applied to the skin, 3304 is for cosmetic purposes, whereas 3006.70 is for medical procedures. Another common error is using HS code 3403.99, which applies to industrial lubricating preparations. Industrial lubricants are petroleum or chemical-based and are not intended for biological contact. Misclassifying a medical gel under 3403 can lead to significant regulatory delays as it suggests an industrial rather than a pharmaceutical application.
Top exporters and importers of HS 300670 (the code used for medical lubricant gel), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 300670 (the code used for medical lubricant gel) in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 20% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 82% 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 300670, not only medical lubricant gel.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Netherlands $118M 20% of world exports
- 2 United States $107M 18% of world exports
- 3 Thailand $60M 10% of world exports
World total: $583M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Netherlands $2.2B 82% of world imports
- 2 United States $116M 4.4% of world imports
- 3 Mexico $25M 0.9% of world imports
World total: $2.6B 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 medical lubricant gel
Brazil classifies medical lubricant gel under NCM 3006.70.00: HS 3006.70 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about medical lubricant gel
What is the HS code for Medical lubricant gel?
The HS code for Medical lubricant gel is 300670 (Pharmaceutical goods; Gel preparations designed to be used in human or veterinary medicine as a lubricant for parts of the body for surgical operations or physical examinations or as a coupling agent between the body and medical instruments). The primary HS code for medical lubricant gel is 3006.70, which covers gel preparations for human or veterinary medicine as lubricants or coupling agents.
How do I classify Medical lubricant gel for customs?
Medical lubricant gel is classified under HS code 300670 — Pharmaceutical goods; Gel preparations designed to be used in human or veterinary medicine as a lubricant for parts of the body for surgical operations or physical examinations or as a coupling agent between the body and medical instruments. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is ultrasound gel classified differently than surgical lubricant?
No, both ultrasound gel and surgical lubricants are classified under 3006.70 because they both function as coupling agents or lubricants for medical instruments and physical examinations.
Which countries are the top exporters of medical lubricant gel (HS 300670)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 300670 (the code used for medical lubricant gel) in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($118M, 20% of world exports), the United States ($107M) and Thailand ($60M). World exports came to about $583M, 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 medical lubricant gel (HS 300670)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 300670 (the code used for medical lubricant gel) in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($2.2B, 82% of world imports), the United States ($116M) and Mexico ($25M). World imports came to about $2.6B, 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 Medical lubricant gel the same in all countries?
The base HS code 300670 for Medical lubricant gel 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 medical lubricant gel in Brazil?
In Brazil, medical lubricant gel (HS 300670) is classified under NCM 3006.70.00.