Product classification
HS code for Retail antibiotics: 3004.20
Medicaments, containing antibiotics (other than penicillins, streptomycins or their derivatives), for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale.
Classification of retail antibiotics under HS 3004.20
The classification of retail antibiotics under HS code 300420 is determined by the General Rules for the Interpretation of the Harmonized System (GRI). Chapter 30 covers pharmaceutical products, and Heading 3004 specifically applies to medicaments consisting of mixed or unmixed products for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, provided they are put up in measured doses or in forms or packings for retail sale. Subheading 300420 is the specific category for medicaments containing antibiotics other than penicillins, streptomycins, or their derivatives. To qualify for this code, the product must be intended for human or veterinary medicine and must be packaged in a manner suitable for direct sale to consumers or healthcare providers without further processing. This includes tablets, capsules, and ointments containing specific antibiotic agents that are ready for use by the patient.
- Covers
- Tetracycline capsules for retail sale
- Erythromycin tablets in blister packs
- Cephalosporin oral suspensions
- Macrolide antibiotics in measured doses
- Antibiotic ointments (excluding penicillin-based)
- Also under 3004.20
- Zithromax
- Cipro
- Vibramycin
- Keflex
- Flagyl
- Vancocin
Codes often confused with 3004.20
Common mistake. This code is frequently confused with HS code 300410, which is reserved specifically for medicaments containing penicillins or streptomycins. Another common error is using HS code 300320, which covers antibiotics in bulk form that are not put up in measured doses or packaged for retail sale. Importers must distinguish between the active ingredient and the final retail packaging to ensure correct classification.
Top exporters and importers of HS 300420 (the code used for retail antibiotics), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 300420 (the code used for retail antibiotics) in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 14% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 13% 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 300420, not only retail antibiotics.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Italy $2.0B 14% of world exports
- 2 Switzerland $1.5B 11% of world exports
- 3 United States $1.2B 8.3% of world exports
World total: $14.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $1.9B 13% of world imports
- 2 China $1.4B 9.3% of world imports
- 3 Switzerland $1.3B 8.3% of world imports
World total: $15.4B 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 antibiotics
Brazil splits HS 3004.20 into 26 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 3004.20.11Chloramphenicol medicaments, dosed/retail
- 3004.20.19Other amphenicol medicaments, dosed/retail
- 3004.20.21Erythromycin medicaments, dosed/retail
- 3004.20.29Other macrolide medicaments, dosed/retail
- 3004.20.31Rifamycin SV sodium medicaments, dosed/retail
- 3004.20.32Rifampicin medicaments, dosed/retail
- 3004.20.39Other ansamycin medicaments, dosed/retail
- 3004.20.41Lincomycin hydrochloride medicaments, dosed/retail
- 3004.20.49Other lincosamide medicaments, dosed/retail
- 3004.20.51Cefalotin sodium medicaments, dosed/retail
- 3004.20.52Cefaclor or cefalexin medicaments, dosed/retail
- 3004.20.59Other cephalosporin/cephamycin drugs, dosed/retail
- 3004.20.61Gentamicin sulphate medicaments, dosed/retail
- 3004.20.62Daunorubicin medicaments, dosed/retail
- 3004.20.63Idarubicin/pirarubicin medicaments, dosed/retail
- 3004.20.69Other aminoglycoside medicaments, dosed/retail
- 3004.20.71Vancomycin medicaments, dosed/retail
- 3004.20.72Actinomycin medicaments, dosed/retail
- 3004.20.73Ciclosporin A medicaments, dosed/retail
- 3004.20.79Other polypeptide antibiotic drugs, dosed/retail
- 3004.20.91Mitomycin medicaments, dosed/retail
- 3004.20.92Tiamulin fumarate medicaments, dosed/retail
- 3004.20.93Bleomycin medicaments, dosed/retail
- 3004.20.94Imipenem medicaments, dosed/retail
- 3004.20.95Liposomal amphotericin B medicaments, dosed/retail
- 3004.20.99Other antibiotic medicaments, dosed/retail
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about retail antibiotics
What is the HS code for Retail antibiotics?
The HS code for Retail antibiotics is 300420 (Medicaments; containing antibiotics (other than penicillins, streptomycins or their derivatives), for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale). The HS code for medicaments containing antibiotics (excluding penicillins and streptomycins) put up for retail sale is 300420.
How do I classify Retail antibiotics for customs?
Retail antibiotics is classified under HS code 300420 — Medicaments; containing antibiotics (other than penicillins, streptomycins or their derivatives), for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the difference between HS 3003 and 3004?
Heading 3003 covers medicaments in bulk or unmeasured doses, while Heading 3004 is for medicaments in measured doses or packaged for retail sale.
Which countries are the top exporters of retail antibiotics (HS 300420)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 300420 (the code used for retail antibiotics) in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($2.0B, 14% of world exports), Switzerland ($1.5B) and the United States ($1.2B). World exports came to about $14.4B, 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.
Which countries are the top importers of retail antibiotics (HS 300420)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 300420 (the code used for retail antibiotics) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.9B, 13% of world imports), China ($1.4B) and Switzerland ($1.3B). World imports came to about $15.4B, 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 antibiotics the same in all countries?
The base HS code 300420 for Retail antibiotics 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 antibiotics in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 300420 into 26 NCM codes, so the right one for retail antibiotics depends on the product's details: 3004.20.11 (Chloramphenicol medicaments, dosed/retail), 3004.20.19 (Other amphenicol medicaments, dosed/retail), 3004.20.21 (Erythromycin medicaments, dosed/retail), 3004.20.29 (Other macrolide medicaments, dosed/retail), 3004.20.31 (Rifamycin SV sodium medicaments, dosed/retail), 3004.20.32 (Rifampicin medicaments, dosed/retail), and more.