Product classification
HS code for Norephedrine drugs: 3004.43
Medicaments, containing alkaloids or their derivatives, containing norephedrine or its salts, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale.
Classification of norephedrine drugs under HS 3004.43
Norephedrine drugs are classified under HS code 3004.43. This code is designated for medicaments consisting of mixed or unmixed products for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, which are put up in measured doses or in forms or packings for retail sale. Specifically, this subheading covers preparations containing alkaloids or their derivatives, such as norephedrine (also known as phenylpropanolamine) or its salts. The classification depends heavily on the presentation of the product; it must be intended for medical use and packaged for the end consumer. This distinguishes it from bulk chemical substances. The presence of norephedrine as the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) in a finished dosage form, such as a tablet or capsule, necessitates classification within heading 3004. Furthermore, because norephedrine is a specific alkaloid derivative, it is assigned to the 3004.43 subheading rather than the general 3004.90 category for other medicaments.
- Covers
- Norephedrine hydrochloride tablets for retail sale
- Phenylpropanolamine syrups in consumer packaging
- Appetite suppressants containing norephedrine salts
- Decongestant capsules containing norephedrine
- Retail-ready pharmaceutical preparations of phenylpropanolamine
- Also under 3004.43
- Dexatrim (older formulations)
- Triaminic (older formulations)
- Contac (older formulations)
- Dimetapp (older formulations)
Codes often confused with 3004.43
Common mistake. A common misclassification occurs with HS code 2939.44, which is for bulk norephedrine salts. If the product is not in a finished dosage form (like a tablet) or not packaged for retail sale, it belongs in Chapter 29. Another error is using 3003.43, which is for medicaments containing norephedrine that are not put up in measured doses or for retail sale (e.g., bulk hospital packs or intermediate manufacturing stages).
Top exporters and importers of HS 300443 (the code used for norephedrine drugs), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 300443 (the code used for norephedrine drugs) in UN Comtrade data was France, with 39% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Egypt, with 83% 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 300443, not only norephedrine drugs.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 France $6.8M 39% of world exports
- 2 Indonesia $4.8M 28% of world exports
- 3 Estonia $2.0M 12% of world exports
World total: $17M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Egypt $77M 83% of world imports
- 2 Cambodia* ~$2.1M 2.3% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 3 United States $2.0M 2.2% of world imports
World total: $93M 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 code for norephedrine drugs
Brazil classifies norephedrine drugs under NCM 3004.43.00: HS 3004.43 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about norephedrine drugs
What is the HS code for Norephedrine drugs?
The HS code for Norephedrine drugs is 300443 (Medicaments; containing alkaloids or their derivatives, containing norephedrine or its salts, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale). The HS code for norephedrine drugs packaged for retail sale is 3004.43.
How do I classify Norephedrine drugs for customs?
Norephedrine drugs is classified under HS code 300443 — Medicaments; containing alkaloids or their derivatives, containing norephedrine or its salts, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is phenylpropanolamine classified under the same code?
Yes, phenylpropanolamine is the international nonproprietary name for norephedrine, and its medicinal preparations follow the same classification.
Which countries are the top exporters of norephedrine drugs (HS 300443)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 300443 (the code used for norephedrine drugs) in UN Comtrade data were France ($6.8M, 39% of world exports), Indonesia ($4.8M) and Estonia ($2.0M). World exports came to about $17M, 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 norephedrine drugs (HS 300443)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 300443 (the code used for norephedrine drugs) in UN Comtrade data were Egypt ($77M, 83% of world imports), Cambodia (about $2.1M) and the United States ($2.0M). World imports came to about $93M, 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 Norephedrine drugs the same in all countries?
The base HS code 300443 for Norephedrine drugs 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 norephedrine drugs in Brazil?
In Brazil, norephedrine drugs (HS 300443) is classified under NCM 3004.43.00.