Product classification
HS code for Pseudoephedrine medicine: 3004.42
Medicaments, containing alkaloids or their derivatives, containing pseudoephedrine (INN) or its salts, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale.
Classification of pseudoephedrine medicine under HS 3004.42
Pseudoephedrine medicine is classified under HS code 300442. This classification is part of Chapter 30, which covers pharmaceutical products. Heading 3004 specifically refers to medicaments consisting of mixed or unmixed products for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, put up in measured doses (including those in the form of transdermal administration systems) or in forms or packings for retail sale. Unlike the bulk chemical, this code is reserved for products that have been formulated into tablets, capsules, or syrups and are ready for consumer use. The inclusion of pseudoephedrine as the primary active alkaloid derivative dictates the specific subheading 300442, ensuring that decongestants containing this specific ingredient are tracked for both trade and regulatory purposes.
- Covers
- Pseudoephedrine tablets (retail packed)
- Cold and flu capsules containing pseudoephedrine
- Decongestant syrups for retail sale
- Measured dose pseudoephedrine pills
- Blister-packed pseudoephedrine hydrochloride
- Also under 3004.42
- Sudafed
- Claritin-D
- Mucinex D
- Allegra-D
- Zyrtec-D
Codes often confused with 3004.42
Common mistake. Pseudoephedrine medicine is often misclassified under HS code 293942, which is the code for the bulk chemical substance. The primary difference is the packaging and dosage form; if the product is in bulk powder form, it belongs in Chapter 29, but if it is in a box of 12 tablets, it belongs in 300442. Another common error is using 300342, which is for medicaments containing alkaloids but not put up in measured doses or for retail sale. Finally, if the medicine contains other active ingredients like paracetamol in higher therapeutic proportions, it might be classified under 300490 depending on the General Interpretative Rules.
Top exporters and importers of HS 300442 (the code used for pseudoephedrine medicine), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 300442 (the code used for pseudoephedrine medicine) in UN Comtrade data was France, with 21% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Switzerland, with 7.6% 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 300442, not only pseudoephedrine medicine.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 France $53M 21% of world exports
- 2 Germany $38M 15% of world exports
- 3 Switzerland $31M 13% of world exports
World total: $247M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Switzerland $21M 7.6% of world imports
- 2 Poland $18M 6.7% of world imports
- 3 Italy $17M 6.3% of world imports
World total: $273M 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 code for pseudoephedrine medicine
Brazil classifies pseudoephedrine medicine under NCM 3004.42.00: HS 3004.42 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about pseudoephedrine medicine
What is the HS code for Pseudoephedrine medicine?
The HS code for Pseudoephedrine medicine is 300442 (Medicaments; containing alkaloids or their derivatives, containing pseudoephedrine (INN) or its salts, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale). The HS code for pseudoephedrine-based medicaments packaged for retail sale is 300442.
How do I classify Pseudoephedrine medicine for customs?
Pseudoephedrine medicine is classified under HS code 300442 — Medicaments; containing alkaloids or their derivatives, containing pseudoephedrine (INN) or its salts, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code apply to multi-symptom cold medicines?
It applies if pseudoephedrine is the alkaloid derivative that characterizes the product, though complex mixtures may sometimes fall under 300490.
Which countries are the top exporters of pseudoephedrine medicine (HS 300442)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 300442 (the code used for pseudoephedrine medicine) in UN Comtrade data were France ($53M, 21% of world exports), Germany ($38M) and Switzerland ($31M). World exports came to about $247M, 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 pseudoephedrine medicine (HS 300442)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 300442 (the code used for pseudoephedrine medicine) in UN Comtrade data were Switzerland ($21M, 7.6% of world imports), Poland ($18M) and Italy ($17M). World imports came to about $273M, 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 Pseudoephedrine medicine the same in all countries?
The base HS code 300442 for Pseudoephedrine medicine 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 pseudoephedrine medicine in Brazil?
In Brazil, pseudoephedrine medicine (HS 300442) is classified under NCM 3004.42.00.