Product classification
HS code for Microorganism cultures for veterinary use: 3002.42
Vaccines, toxins, cultures of micro-organisms (excluding yeasts) and similar products, for veterinary medicine.
Classification of microorganism cultures for veterinary use under HS 3002.42
HS code 3002.42 is specifically reserved for vaccines, toxins, and cultures of micro-organisms intended for veterinary medicine. This classification ensures that biological products used for animal health are tracked separately from human medical products. The code covers cultures used to produce animal vaccines or for direct therapeutic use in livestock, poultry, and companion animals. The distinction between 3002.41 (human) and 3002.42 (veterinary) is critical for international trade, as veterinary products are subject to different regulatory bodies, such as national agricultural departments. The classification includes both live and inactivated vaccines, as well as the microbial cultures from which they are derived, provided they are clearly identified for veterinary use through packaging, labeling, or accompanying documentation. This code also encompasses toxins used in the development of veterinary treatments. The primary factor for classification under this code is the end-use application for animals, which must be documented to satisfy customs requirements and biosecurity regulations.
- Covers
- Veterinary vaccines for livestock and pets
- Bacterial cultures for animal disease diagnosis
- Toxins for veterinary therapeutic research
- Microbial cultures for animal immunotherapy
- Inactivated viral strains for animal health
- Also under 3002.42
- Nobivac (various canine/feline vaccines)
- Feline PureVax (various feline vaccines)
- Bovilis (various bovine vaccines)
- Equilis (various equine vaccines)
- Ingelvac (various swine vaccines)
- Poulvac (various poultry vaccines)
Codes often confused with 3002.42
Common mistake. Commonly confused with 3002.41 (human medicine). Importers must verify the labeling and regulatory approval to distinguish between the two. It is also confused with 2309.90 for animal feed additives, which may contain microbes (probiotics) but are classified as food preparations rather than medical cultures. Additionally, 3002.90 is often used incorrectly for veterinary cultures that are already prepared as vaccines.
Top exporters and importers of HS 300242 (the code used for microorganism cultures for veterinary use), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 300242 (the code used for microorganism cultures for veterinary use) in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 25% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 5.4% 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 300242, not only microorganism cultures for veterinary use.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Netherlands $1.4B 25% of world exports
- 2 United States $771M 13% of world exports
- 3 Spain $666M 12% of world exports
World total: $5.8B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Netherlands $320M 5.4% of world imports
- 2 Brazil $291M 4.9% of world imports
- 3 France $245M 4.1% of world imports
World total: $6.0B 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 microorganism cultures for veterinary use
Brazil splits HS 3002.42 into 9 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 3002.42.10Veterinary rabies vaccines
- 3002.42.20Veterinary coccidiosis vaccines
- 3002.42.30Veterinary keratoconjunctivitis vaccines
- 3002.42.40Veterinary distemper vaccines
- 3002.42.50Veterinary leptospirosis vaccines
- 3002.42.60Foot-and-mouth disease vaccines
- 3002.42.70Poultry vaccines (Newcastle, Gumboro, etc.)
- 3002.42.80Combined poultry vaccines (Newcastle, etc.)
- 3002.42.90Other veterinary vaccines
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about microorganism cultures for veterinary use
What is the HS code for Microorganism cultures for veterinary use?
The HS code for Microorganism cultures for veterinary use is 300242 (Vaccines, toxins, cultures of micro-organisms (excluding yeasts) and similar products; for veterinary medicine).
How do I classify Microorganism cultures for veterinary use for customs?
Microorganism cultures for veterinary use is classified under HS code 300242 — Vaccines, toxins, cultures of micro-organisms (excluding yeasts) and similar products; for veterinary medicine. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the HS code for animal vaccines?
Animal vaccines are classified under HS code 3002.42, which is dedicated to veterinary biological products.
Does this code include probiotics for animals?
No, probiotics used as feed additives are typically classified under 2309.90, as they are considered nutritional preparations rather than medical cultures.
Which countries are the top exporters of microorganism cultures for veterinary use (HS 300242)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 300242 (the code used for microorganism cultures for veterinary use) in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($1.4B, 25% of world exports), the United States ($771M) and Spain ($666M). World exports came to about $5.8B, 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 microorganism cultures for veterinary use (HS 300242)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 300242 (the code used for microorganism cultures for veterinary use) in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($320M, 5.4% of world imports), Brazil ($291M) and France ($245M). World imports came to about $6.0B, 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.
Is the HS code for Microorganism cultures for veterinary use the same in all countries?
The base HS code 300242 for Microorganism cultures for veterinary use 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 for veterinary use in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 300242 into 9 NCM codes, so the right one for microorganism cultures for veterinary use depends on the product's details: 3002.42.10 (Veterinary rabies vaccines), 3002.42.20 (Veterinary coccidiosis vaccines), 3002.42.30 (Veterinary keratoconjunctivitis vaccines), 3002.42.40 (Veterinary distemper vaccines), 3002.42.50 (Veterinary leptospirosis vaccines), 3002.42.60 (Foot-and-mouth disease vaccines), and more.