Product classification
HS code for Opium: 1302.11
Vegetable saps and extracts, opium.
Classification of opium under HS 1302.11
Opium is classified under HS code 1302.11 because it is defined as a vegetable sap obtained by incision of the unripe capsules of the poppy plant (Papaver somniferum). According to the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI) and the Explanatory Notes to Chapter 13, this heading covers vegetable saps and extracts that have not been further processed into medicaments or isolated into pure chemical alkaloids. Opium in its raw, dried, or powdered form remains within this classification as long as it retains its character as a natural vegetable extract. The classification specifically targets the latex that has been coagulated by exposure to air. This substance contains a complex mixture of alkaloids, but in its crude form, it is treated as a sap rather than a chemically defined compound. The international trade of this substance is strictly regulated under the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, and its classification is essential for monitoring legal pharmaceutical supply chains.
- Covers
- Raw opium latex
- Dried opium cakes
- Powdered opium (not prepared as medicaments)
- Granulated opium
- Also under 1302.11
(Legitimate trade is highly restricted and not publicly branded like consumer goods; examples would be pharmaceutical-grade raw material for controlled substance manufacturing)
Codes often confused with 1302.11
Common mistake. Opium is frequently misclassified under HS code 2939.11 or 2939.19, which are reserved for isolated opium alkaloids like morphine or codeine. While opium contains these alkaloids, the crude extract belongs in Chapter 13. Another common error is classifying it under 3003 or 3004 as a medicament. It only moves to Chapter 30 if it has been mixed with other substances for therapeutic use or put up in measured doses for retail sale.
Top exporters and importers of HS 130211 (the code used for opium), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 130211 (the code used for opium) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 61% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was France, with 60% of world imports. Denmark reports $315M of its heading 1302 exports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 130211, not only opium.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $2.4M 61% of world exports
- 2 India $1.1M 29% of world exports
- 3 France $134K 3.4% of world exports
Denmark reports $315M of its heading 1302 exports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
World total: $3.9M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 France $1.3M 60% of world imports
- 2 Switzerland $207K 9.8% of world imports
- 3 Spain $188K 8.9% of world imports
World total: $2.1M 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 opium
Brazil splits HS 1302.11 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 1302.11.10Opium: poppy straw concentrates
- 1302.11.90Opium, other than poppy straw concentrates
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about opium
What is the HS code for Opium?
The HS code for Opium is 130211 (Vegetable saps and extracts; opium). The HS code for opium is 1302.11, which specifically covers the vegetable sap of the poppy plant.
How do I classify Opium for customs?
Opium is classified under HS code 130211 — Vegetable saps and extracts; opium. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is processed opium classified here?
If the opium has been processed to isolate specific alkaloids like morphine, it moves to Chapter 29. If it is prepared as a finished medicine, it is classified under Chapter 30.
Which countries are the top exporters of opium (HS 130211)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 130211 (the code used for opium) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($2.4M, 61% of world exports), India ($1.1M) and France ($134K). World exports came to about $3.9M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Denmark reports $315M of its heading 1302 exports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
Which countries are the top importers of opium (HS 130211)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 130211 (the code used for opium) in UN Comtrade data were France ($1.3M, 60% of world imports), Switzerland ($207K) and Spain ($188K). World imports came to about $2.1M, 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 Opium the same in all countries?
The base HS code 130211 for Opium 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 opium in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 130211 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for opium depends on the product's details: 1302.11.10 (Opium: poppy straw concentrates), 1302.11.90 (Opium, other than poppy straw concentrates).