Product classification

HS code for Retail medicine: 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 retail medicine under HS 3004.90

Retail medicine is classified under HS code 3004.90. This classification falls under Chapter 30, which covers pharmaceutical products. Heading 3004 is designated for medicaments consisting of mixed or unmixed products for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, provided they are put up in measured doses (such as tablets, capsules, or ampoules) or in forms or packings for retail sale. Subheading 3004.90 is a residual category for medicines that do not contain specific substances like penicillins, streptomycins, insulin, or alkaloids, which are covered in subheadings 3004.10 through 3004.50. The classification is based on the product being a finished medicament ready for consumer use. It must have a clear therapeutic or prophylactic purpose, distinguishing it from supplements or cosmetic products.

Covers: Over-the-counter (OTC) tablets and capsules
Cough syrups in retail bottles
Medicated ointments and creams for retail sale
Aspirin and paracetamol in retail blister packs
Prescription medications packaged for individual patients
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. Retail medicine is often confused with HS code 3003.90, which covers medicaments that are NOT put up in measured doses or retail packings (bulk pharmaceuticals). It is also frequently confused with HS code 2106.90 (food supplements) or HS code 3304.99 (cosmetic preparations). If a product does not have a proven medicinal active ingredient or is marketed primarily for general well-being rather than treating a specific disease, it may be excluded from 3004.90.

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 3304.99Cosmetic and toilet preparations; n.e.c. in heading no. 3304, for the care of the skin (excluding medicaments, including sunscreen or sun tan preparations)

Top exporters and importers of HS 300490 (the code used for retail medicine), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 300490 (the code used for retail medicine) 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 retail medicine.

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 retail medicine

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": "retail medicine"
}

API docs →

Questions about retail medicine

What is the HS code for Retail medicine?

The HS code for Retail medicine 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). The HS code for medicaments (excluding those with specific antibiotics or hormones) put up for retail sale is 3004.90.

How do I classify Retail medicine for customs?

Retail medicine 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.

Can vitamins be classified under 3004.90?

Vitamins are generally classified under 3004.50 if they are put up for retail sale as medicaments. However, if they are sold as general food supplements without specific therapeutic claims, they fall under 2106.90.

Which countries are the top exporters of retail medicine (HS 300490)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 300490 (the code used for retail medicine) 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 retail medicine (HS 300490)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 300490 (the code used for retail medicine) 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 Retail medicine the same in all countries?

The base HS code 300490 for Retail 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 retail medicine in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 300490 into 68 NCM codes, so the right one for retail medicine 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.