Product classification

HS code for Packaged medicaments: 3004.90

Medicaments, consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale.

Classification of packaged medicaments under HS 3004.90

Packaged medicaments are classified under HS code 300490. This is a residual or "basket" category within heading 3004, which covers medicaments consisting of mixed or unmixed products for therapeutic or prophylactic uses. To be classified here, the products must be put up in measured doses (such as tablets, capsules, or ampoules) or in forms or packings for retail sale. This specific subheading is used for medicaments that do not contain penicillin, streptomycins, insulin, corticosteroids, or alkaloids, which are covered by other subheadings in the 3004 group. The classification emphasizes the "retail sale" aspect, which implies the product is ready for use by the end consumer without further processing or repackaging. This code is essential for distinguishing finished pharmaceutical products from bulk active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).

Covers: Paracetamol or Ibuprofen tablets in retail blister packs
Cough syrups and decongestants in retail bottles
Antihistamine creams and ointments for skin application
Saline nasal sprays for therapeutic use
Antacid liquids or tablets in consumer packaging
Also under 3004.90: Tylenol (paracetamol)
Advil (ibuprofen)
Prilosec (omeprazole)
Amoxil (amoxicillin)
Glucophage (metformin)
Zestril (lisinopril)
Zyrtec (cetirizine)

Codes often confused with 3004.90

Common mistake. A frequent error is classifying these products under 300390, which is for medicaments in bulk rather than retail packaging. Another common misclassification involves food supplements or vitamins; if the product is marketed as a supplement rather than a medicament with a specific therapeutic claim, it may fall under 210690. Furthermore, medicated soaps or shampoos are often incorrectly placed here but should be classified under Chapter 34 or 33 respectively. Products containing specific active ingredients like antibiotics must go to 300410 or 300420.

3003.90Medicaments; (not containing antibiotics, hormones, alkaloids or their derivatives), for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, (not packaged for retail sale)2106.90Food preparations; n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10 3004.10Medicaments; containing penicillins, streptomycins or their derivatives, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale 3004.20Medicaments; containing antibiotics (other than penicillins, streptomycins or their derivatives), for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale

Top exporters and importers of HS 300490 (the code used for packaged medicaments), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 300490 (the code used for packaged medicaments) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 16% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 19% 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 300490, not only packaged medicaments.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

1 Germany $61.9B 16% of world exports
2 Switzerland $44.5B 11% of world exports
3 Slovenia $30.6B 7.7% of world exports

World total: $396.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

1 United States $82.5B 19% of world imports
2 Switzerland $51.2B 11% of world imports
3 Germany $33.9B 7.6% of world imports

World total: $445.7B 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 packaged medicaments

Brazil splits HS 3004.90 into 68 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.

Access via API

POST /api/classify/

{
  "query": "packaged medicaments"
}

API docs →

Questions about packaged medicaments

What is the HS code for Packaged medicaments?

The HS code for Packaged medicaments is 300490 (Medicaments; consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale).

How do I classify Packaged medicaments for customs?

Packaged medicaments is classified under HS code 300490 — Medicaments; consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

What is the HS code for retail-packed aspirin?

Aspirin in retail packaging is classified under HS code 300490, as it is a medicament for therapeutic use in retail form.

What is the difference between HS 3003 and 3004?

Heading 3003 is for medicaments in bulk (not for retail sale), while 3004 is for medicaments put up in measured doses or for retail sale.

Which countries are the top exporters of packaged medicaments (HS 300490)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 300490 (the code used for packaged medicaments) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($61.9B, 16% of world exports), Switzerland ($44.5B) and Slovenia ($30.6B). World exports came to about $396.9B, 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 packaged medicaments (HS 300490)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 300490 (the code used for packaged medicaments) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($82.5B, 19% of world imports), Switzerland ($51.2B) and Germany ($33.9B). World imports came to about $445.7B, 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 Packaged medicaments the same in all countries?

The base HS code 300490 for Packaged medicaments 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 packaged medicaments in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 300490 into 68 NCM codes, so the right one for packaged medicaments depends on the product's details: 3004.90.11 (Streptokinase medicaments, dosed/retail), 3004.90.12 (L-Asparaginase medicaments, dosed/retail), 3004.90.13 (Deoxyribonuclease medicaments, dosed/retail), 3004.90.14 (Idursulfase medicaments, dosed/retail), 3004.90.15 (Agalsidase alfa/velaglucerase alfa drugs), 3004.90.19 (Other enzyme medicaments, dosed/retail), and more.