Product classification
HS code for Microorganism cultures: 3002.90
Toxins, cultures of micro-organisms (excluding yeasts) and similar products.
Classification of microorganism cultures under HS 3002.90
HS code 3002.90 is the classification for cultures of micro-organisms, toxins, and similar products that are not specifically categorized as vaccines for human or veterinary medicine. This code is part of Chapter 30, which covers pharmaceutical products, but 3002.90 serves as a broad category for biological materials used in research, laboratory analysis, and industrial processes. The classification includes cultures of bacteria, viruses, and other microbes, provided they are not yeasts. The inclusion of 'toxins' refers to poisonous substances produced by living organisms, which are often shipped as cultures for medical research or the production of antitoxins. This code is essential for the biotechnology industry, covering the raw biological agents used in fermentation, genetic engineering, and environmental testing. The classification is determined by the biological nature of the product and its lack of preparation as a finished medicament or vaccine. It also includes cell cultures used in the manufacture of biological products, provided they are not for direct therapeutic use in their current form.
- Covers
- Bacterial cultures for industrial fermentation
- Viral cultures for laboratory research
- Toxins of microbial origin (e.g., botulinum toxin)
- Cell cultures for biotechnology applications
- Microbial cultures for environmental remediation
- Also under 3002.90
- ATCC bacterial strains
- CDC reference toxins
- Thermo Fisher Scientific microbial cultures
- Merck KGaA toxins for research
- Bio-Rad diagnostic antigens
Codes often confused with 3002.90
Common mistake. This code is frequently confused with 2102.10 or 2102.20, which cover active and inactive yeasts. Yeasts are specifically excluded from 3002.90. It is also confused with 3821.00, which covers prepared culture media for the development of micro-organisms. The distinction is that 3002.90 is the culture itself, while 3821.00 is the 'food' or substrate used to grow it. Furthermore, if the culture is prepared as a vaccine, it must move to 3002.41 or 3002.42.
Top exporters and importers of HS 300290 (the code used for microorganism cultures), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 300290 (the code used for microorganism cultures) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 45% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 40% 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 300290, not only microorganism cultures.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $1.1B 45% of world exports
- 2 United Kingdom $412M 16% of world exports
- 3 Hungary $96M 3.8% of world exports
World total: $2.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $1.1B 40% of world imports
- 2 United Kingdom $336M 12% of world imports
- 3 Canada $136M 4.8% of world imports
World total: $2.8B 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 code for microorganism cultures
Brazil classifies microorganism cultures under NCM 3002.90.00: HS 3002.90 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about microorganism cultures
What is the HS code for Microorganism cultures?
The HS code for Microorganism cultures is 300290 (Toxins, cultures of micro-organisms (excluding yeasts) and similar products).
How do I classify Microorganism cultures for customs?
Microorganism cultures is classified under HS code 300290 — Toxins, cultures of micro-organisms (excluding yeasts) and similar products. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the HS code for bacteria?
Bacteria cultures are generally classified under HS code 3002.90, unless they are prepared as vaccines for human or animal use.
Why is yeast excluded from this code?
Yeast is classified under heading 2102 because it is primarily used in the food and beverage industries, and the Harmonized System provides a specific heading for it outside of the pharmaceutical chapter.
Which countries are the top exporters of microorganism cultures (HS 300290)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 300290 (the code used for microorganism cultures) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.1B, 45% of world exports), the United Kingdom ($412M) and Hungary ($96M). World exports came to about $2.5B, 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 microorganism cultures (HS 300290)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 300290 (the code used for microorganism cultures) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.1B, 40% of world imports), the United Kingdom ($336M) and Canada ($136M). World imports came to about $2.8B, 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 Microorganism cultures the same in all countries?
The base HS code 300290 for Microorganism cultures 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 microorganism cultures in Brazil?
In Brazil, microorganism cultures (HS 300290) is classified under NCM 3002.90.00.