Product classification
HS code for Musk: 0510.00
Animal products, ambergris, castoreum, civet, musk, cantharides, bile (dried or not) glands and other animal products, for pharmaceutical purposes, fresh, chilled, frozen or otherwise provisionally preserved.
Classification of musk under HS 0510.00
Musk is classified under HS code 0510.00. This heading covers animal products such as ambergris, castoreum, civet, and musk, as well as various glands and animal secretions used in the preparation of pharmaceutical products. These items are typically fresh, chilled, frozen, or otherwise provisionally preserved. Musk is a glandular secretion from animals like the musk deer, valued for its scent and medicinal properties. The classification in Chapter 5 (Products of animal origin, not elsewhere specified or included) is appropriate because musk is a raw animal product that has not undergone significant processing into a finished perfume or medicament. The Harmonized System places these rare animal secretions in 0510.00 to distinguish them from edible animal products or processed chemicals. This code is critical for monitoring the trade of animal-derived substances, many of which are subject to CITES regulations.
- Covers
- Natural musk pods from musk deer
- Dried musk grains
- Musk secretions in liquid or paste form
- Ambergris (sperm whale secretion)
- Castoreum (beaver secretion)
- Civet (civet cat secretion)
- Animal glands used for pharmaceutical purposes
- Also under 0510.00
- High-end perfumes (using ambergris/musk as fixatives)
- traditional Chinese medicine formulations
- pharmaceutical research compounds
- specific homeopathic remedies
Codes often confused with 0510.00
Common mistake. Musk is frequently misclassified under HS code 3301, which covers essential oils and resinoids. While musk is used in perfumery, 3301 is for vegetable-based extracts, whereas 0510.00 is for animal-based secretions. Another common error is using HS code 2932 or 2933 for synthetic musk. Synthetic musk is a chemically defined compound and must be classified in Chapter 29. Finally, if the musk is prepared as a finished medicine, it would move to Chapter 30.
Top exporters and importers of HS 051000 (the code used for musk), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 051000 (the code used for musk) in UN Comtrade data was Brazil, with 42% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Hong Kong, with 34% 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 051000, not only musk.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Brazil $176M 42% of world exports
- 2 Russia* ~$38M 9.1% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 United States $30M 7.2% of world exports
World total: $418M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Hong Kong $156M 34% of world imports
- 2 Germany $84M 18% of world imports
- 3 South Korea $45M 9.8% of world imports
World total: $459M 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 musk
Brazil splits HS 0510.00 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 0510.00.10Bovine pancreas for pharmaceutical use
- 0510.00.90Other ambergris, musk, bile and gland products
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about musk
What is the HS code for Musk?
The HS code for Musk is 051000 (Animal products; ambergris, castoreum, civet, musk, cantharides, bile (dried or not) glands and other animal products, for pharmaceutical purposes, fresh, chilled, frozen or otherwise provisionally preserved). The HS code for natural musk and similar animal secretions is 0510.00.
How do I classify Musk for customs?
Musk is classified under HS code 051000 — Animal products; ambergris, castoreum, civet, musk, cantharides, bile (dried or not) glands and other animal products, for pharmaceutical purposes, fresh, chilled, frozen or otherwise provisionally preserved. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is synthetic musk classified under the same code?
No, synthetic musk is a chemical product and is typically classified under HS code 2932.99 or similar codes in Chapter 29, depending on its chemical structure.
Which countries are the top exporters of musk (HS 051000)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 051000 (the code used for musk) in UN Comtrade data were Brazil ($176M, 42% of world exports), Russia (about $38M) and the United States ($30M). World exports came to about $418M, 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 musk (HS 051000)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 051000 (the code used for musk) in UN Comtrade data were Hong Kong ($156M, 34% of world imports), Germany ($84M) and South Korea ($45M). World imports came to about $459M, 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 Musk the same in all countries?
The base HS code 051000 for Musk 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 musk in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 051000 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for musk depends on the product's details: 0510.00.10 (Bovine pancreas for pharmaceutical use), 0510.00.90 (Other ambergris, musk, bile and gland products).