Product classification
HS code for Retail alkaloid drugs: 3004.49
Medicaments, containing alkaloids or their derivatives, other than ephedrine, pseudoephedrine (INN) or norephedrine or their salts, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale.
Classification of retail alkaloid drugs under HS 3004.49
Retail alkaloid drugs are classified under HS code 300449. This code falls within Chapter 30, which covers pharmaceutical products. Specifically, heading 3004 applies to medicaments consisting of mixed or unmixed products for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, put up in measured doses (such as tablets, capsules, or transdermal patches) or in forms or packings for retail sale. The subheading 300449 is designated for medicaments containing alkaloids or their derivatives but excluding those containing hormones, antibiotics, or specific alkaloids like ephedrine and pseudoephedrine which have their own dedicated subheadings. The classification is determined by two factors: the active ingredient (an alkaloid) and the packaging (ready for retail sale to the consumer or hospital without further processing).
- Covers
- Quinine tablets for retail sale
- Morphine-based analgesics in retail doses
- Atropine injections in retail packaging
- Caffeine-based therapeutic preparations
- Theophylline capsules for retail sale
- Codeine cough syrups in retail bottles
- Also under 3004.49
- Nucynta (tapentadol)
- OxyContin (oxycodone)
- Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine)
- Digoxin (digitalis glycoside)
- Belladonna alkaloids
Codes often confused with 3004.49
Common mistake. A common misclassification is HS code 2939, which covers pure alkaloids as chemical compounds; however, once these are formulated into medicine and packaged for retail, they must move to 3004. Another error is using 300349, which is for alkaloid medicaments that are NOT put up in measured doses or retail packaging (bulk pharmaceuticals). Importers also frequently confuse 300449 with 300490 (other medicaments), but the specific presence of an alkaloid requires the use of the 30044x series.
Top exporters and importers of HS 300449 (the code used for retail alkaloid drugs), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 300449 (the code used for retail alkaloid drugs) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 21% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 24% 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 300449, not only retail alkaloid drugs.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $921M 21% of world exports
- 2 Spain $532M 12% of world exports
- 3 United Kingdom $398M 8.9% of world exports
World total: $4.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $1.1B 24% of world imports
- 2 China $307M 6.9% of world imports
- 3 Germany $228M 5.1% of world imports
World total: $4.4B 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 retail alkaloid drugs
Brazil splits HS 3004.49 into 6 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 3004.49.10Vinblastine/vincristine/topotecan drugs
- 3004.49.20Pilocarpine medicaments, dosed/retail
- 3004.49.30Dihydroergocristine medicaments, dosed/retail
- 3004.49.40Codeine medicaments, dosed/retail
- 3004.49.50Granisetron/tropisetron medicaments, dosed/retail
- 3004.49.90Other alkaloid medicaments, dosed/retail
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about retail alkaloid drugs
What is the HS code for Retail alkaloid drugs?
The HS code for Retail alkaloid drugs is 300449 (Medicaments; containing alkaloids or their derivatives; other than ephedrine, pseudoephedrine (INN) or norephedrine or their salts; for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale). The HS code for retail alkaloid drugs is 300449, covering medicaments containing alkaloids in retail packaging.
How do I classify Retail alkaloid drugs for customs?
Retail alkaloid drugs is classified under HS code 300449 — Medicaments; containing alkaloids or their derivatives; other than ephedrine, pseudoephedrine (INN) or norephedrine or their salts; for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does 300449 include pseudoephedrine?
No, pseudoephedrine and its salts are specifically classified under other subheadings like 300442; 300449 is for "other" alkaloids.
Which countries are the top exporters of retail alkaloid drugs (HS 300449)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 300449 (the code used for retail alkaloid drugs) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($921M, 21% of world exports), Spain ($532M) and the United Kingdom ($398M). World exports came to about $4.5B, 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 retail alkaloid drugs (HS 300449)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 300449 (the code used for retail alkaloid drugs) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.1B, 24% of world imports), China ($307M) and Germany ($228M). World imports came to about $4.4B, 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 Retail alkaloid drugs the same in all countries?
The base HS code 300449 for Retail alkaloid 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 retail alkaloid drugs in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 300449 into 6 NCM codes, so the right one for retail alkaloid drugs depends on the product's details: 3004.49.10 (Vinblastine/vincristine/topotecan drugs), 3004.49.20 (Pilocarpine medicaments, dosed/retail), 3004.49.30 (Dihydroergocristine medicaments, dosed/retail), 3004.49.40 (Codeine medicaments, dosed/retail), 3004.49.50 (Granisetron/tropisetron medicaments, dosed/retail), 3004.49.90 (Other alkaloid medicaments, dosed/retail).