Product classification

HS code for Retail hormone drugs: 3004.39

Medicaments, containing hormones (but not insulin), adrenal cortex hormones or antibiotics, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale.

Classification of retail hormone drugs under HS 3004.39

The classification of retail hormone drugs under HS code 3004.39 is governed by the General Rules for the Interpretation of the Harmonized System (GRI). Chapter 30 covers pharmaceutical products, specifically medicaments consisting of mixed or unmixed products for therapeutic or prophylactic uses. Heading 3004 is reserved for medicaments that are put up in measured doses, such as tablets, capsules, or ampoules, or in forms or packings for retail sale. Within this heading, subheading 3004.39 specifically addresses medicaments containing hormones or other products of heading 29.37, but excluding insulin and corticosteroid hormones. To qualify for this code, the product must be a finished pharmaceutical preparation ready for consumer use, rather than a bulk chemical. The classification relies on the active ingredient being a hormone and the packaging being suitable for direct sale to patients or pharmacies. This code is essential for customs authorities to monitor the trade of regulated substances and ensure that medical products are correctly taxed and controlled. The distinction between retail and bulk is vital, as bulk hormones are classified in Chapter 29. Furthermore, the product must be intended for human or veterinary medicine to fall under this specific pharmaceutical heading.

Covers
  • Estrogen replacement therapy tablets
  • Testosterone gels in retail pumps
  • Thyroid hormone medications (Levothyroxine)
  • Progesterone capsules for retail distribution
  • Growth hormone injections in pre-filled pens
  • Oral contraceptives containing hormones
Also under 3004.39
  • Synthroid
  • Estrace
  • AndroGel
  • Prometrium
  • Genotropin
  • Pitocin
  • DDAVP

Codes often confused with 3004.39

Common mistake. Retail hormone drugs are frequently confused with HS code 3004.31, which is exclusively for insulin, or HS code 3004.32, which covers corticosteroid hormones and their derivatives. Another common error is using HS code 2937, which is for pure hormones in bulk form that have not yet been prepared into medicaments or packaged for retail sale. Additionally, if the hormone is used for non-therapeutic purposes, such as certain performance enhancers not recognized as medicaments, it might be classified under Chapter 38.

3004.31Medicaments; containing insulin, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale3004.32Medicaments; containing corticosteroid hormones, their derivatives or structural analogues (but not containing antibiotics), for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale29.37Hormones, prostaglandins, thromboxanes and leukotrienes, natural or reproduced by synthesis; derivatives and structural analogues thereof, including chain modified polypeptides, used primarily as hormones.

Top exporters and importers of HS 300439 (the code used for retail hormone drugs), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 300439 (the code used for retail hormone drugs) in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 36% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was France, 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 300439, not only retail hormone drugs.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Italy $22.6B
  2. 2 France $8.9B
  3. 3 Germany $7.6B

World total: $62.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 France $8.3B
  2. 2 United Kingdom $6.2B
  3. 3 United States $6.1B

World total: $65.8B 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 hormone drugs

Brazil splits HS 3004.39 into 32 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:

  • 3004.39.11Somatotropin medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.12Chorionic gonadotropin medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.13Menotropin medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.14Corticotropin (ACTH) medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.15Serum gonadotropin medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.16Somatostatin medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.17Buserelin medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.18Triptorelin medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.19Leuprorelin medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.21Gonadorelin (LH-RH) medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.22Oxytocin medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.23Insulin salt medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.24Thymosin medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.25Calcitonin medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.26Octreotide medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.27Goserelin medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.28Nafarelin medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.29Other peptide hormone medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.31Estradiol hemisuccinate medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.32Estradiol fenpropionate medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.33Estriol medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.34Allylestrenol medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.35Lynestrenol medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.36Megestrol acetate, formestane or fulvestrant drugs
  • 3004.39.37Desogestrel medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.39Other oestrogen/progestogen drugs, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.81Levothyroxine sodium medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.82Liothyronine sodium medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.91Cloprostenol sodium/methyl ester drugs
  • 3004.39.92Tiratricol (triac) medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.94Exemestane medicaments, dosed/retail
  • 3004.39.99Other hormone medicaments, dosed/retail

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

Questions about retail hormone drugs

What is the HS code for Retail hormone drugs?

The HS code for Retail hormone drugs is 300439 (Medicaments; containing hormones (but not insulin), adrenal cortex hormones or antibiotics, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale). The primary HS code for medicaments containing hormones (excluding insulin and corticosteroids) put up for retail sale is 3004.39.

How do I classify Retail hormone drugs for customs?

Retail hormone drugs is classified under HS code 300439 — Medicaments; containing hormones (but not insulin), adrenal cortex hormones or antibiotics, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Does this code include birth control pills?

Yes, most hormonal contraceptives packaged for retail sale are classified under 3004.39 as they contain hormones for prophylactic use.

Which countries are the top exporters of retail hormone drugs (HS 300439)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 300439 (the code used for retail hormone drugs) in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($22.6B, 36% of world exports), France ($8.9B) and Germany ($7.6B). World exports came to about $62.0B, 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 hormone drugs (HS 300439)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 300439 (the code used for retail hormone drugs) in UN Comtrade data were France ($8.3B, 13% of world imports), the United Kingdom ($6.2B) and the United States ($6.1B). World imports came to about $65.8B, 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 hormone drugs the same in all countries?

The base HS code 300439 for Retail hormone 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 hormone drugs in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 300439 into 32 NCM codes, so the right one for retail hormone drugs depends on the product's details: 3004.39.11 (Somatotropin medicaments, dosed/retail), 3004.39.12 (Chorionic gonadotropin medicaments, dosed/retail), 3004.39.13 (Menotropin medicaments, dosed/retail), 3004.39.14 (Corticotropin (ACTH) medicaments, dosed/retail), 3004.39.15 (Serum gonadotropin medicaments, dosed/retail), 3004.39.16 (Somatostatin medicaments, dosed/retail), and more.