Product classification
HS code for Retail vitamins: 3004.50
Medicaments, containing vitamins or their derivatives, for therapeutic or prophylactic use, packaged for retail sale.
Classification of retail vitamins under HS 3004.50
HS code 3004.50 is used for medicaments containing vitamins or their derivatives that are packaged for retail sale. This classification falls under Chapter 30, which encompasses pharmaceutical products. Heading 3004 is specific to medicaments consisting of mixed or unmixed products for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, provided they are in measured doses or retail packaging. Subheading 3004.50 is the specific provision for vitamin-based preparations. A critical factor in this classification is the intended use; the product must be marketed for the treatment or prevention of specific diseases or deficiencies. The presence of vitamins alone is not enough; the preparation must have the character of a medicament. This is often evidenced by the dosage levels, the labeling, and the claims made on the packaging. If the product is marketed merely as a general food supplement without specific therapeutic claims, it may fall under a different chapter entirely, such as Chapter 21. The distinction between a supplement and a medicament is one of the most complex areas of customs classification and often requires laboratory analysis or review of medical literature.
- Covers
- Therapeutic Vitamin D3 capsules in retail bottles
- Prenatal multivitamin tablets for retail sale
- Vitamin B12 injections in measured doses
- Prescription-strength Vitamin A derivatives
- Retail-packaged Vitamin C for scurvy prevention
- Also under 3004.50
- Calcitriol capsules
- Cyanocobalamin injections
- Ferrous sulfate + Folic acid tablets
- Centrum Silver (therapeutic variant)
- Prenatal vitamins (prescription)
Codes often confused with 3004.50
Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification occurs with HS code 2106.90, which covers food supplements. If a vitamin product does not make specific therapeutic claims or contains vitamins at levels intended only for general health maintenance, it is classified as a food preparation. Another common error is using HS code 2936, which is for pure vitamins and their derivatives in bulk form. Additionally, if the vitamins are mixed into animal feed, they may fall under 2309.
Top exporters and importers of HS 300450 (the code used for retail vitamins), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 300450 (the code used for retail vitamins) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 14% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 8.7% 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 300450, not only retail vitamins.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $712M 14% of world exports
- 2 United States $563M 11% of world exports
- 3 Hong Kong $392M 7.4% of world exports
World total: $5.3B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $419M 8.7% of world imports
- 2 Russia* ~$329M 6.8% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 3 Germany $269M 5.6% of world imports
World total: $4.8B 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 vitamins
Brazil splits HS 3004.50 into 7 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 3004.50.10Calcium folinate medicaments, dosed/retail
- 3004.50.20Nicotinamide medicaments, dosed/retail
- 3004.50.30Hydroxo-/cyanocobalamin medicaments, dosed/retail
- 3004.50.40Vitamin A (retinol) medicaments, dosed/retail
- 3004.50.50Calcium D-pantothenate or vitamin D3 drugs
- 3004.50.60Tretinoin medicaments, dosed/retail
- 3004.50.90Other vitamin medicaments, dosed/retail
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about retail vitamins
What is the HS code for Retail vitamins?
The HS code for Retail vitamins is 300450 (Medicaments; containing vitamins or their derivatives, for therapeutic or prophylactic use, packaged for retail sale). The HS code for medicaments containing vitamins put up for retail sale is 3004.50.
How do I classify Retail vitamins for customs?
Retail vitamins is classified under HS code 300450 — Medicaments; containing vitamins or their derivatives, for therapeutic or prophylactic use, packaged for retail sale. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are all gummy vitamins classified under 3004.50?
No, many gummy vitamins are classified as sugar confectionery under 1704 or food supplements under 2106.90, unless they meet the strict criteria for medicaments.
Which countries are the top exporters of retail vitamins (HS 300450)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 300450 (the code used for retail vitamins) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($712M, 14% of world exports), the United States ($563M) and Hong Kong ($392M). World exports came to about $5.3B, 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 vitamins (HS 300450)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 300450 (the code used for retail vitamins) in UN Comtrade data were China ($419M, 8.7% of world imports), Russia (about $329M) and Germany ($269M). World imports came to about $4.8B, 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 vitamins the same in all countries?
The base HS code 300450 for Retail vitamins 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 vitamins in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 300450 into 7 NCM codes, so the right one for retail vitamins depends on the product's details: 3004.50.10 (Calcium folinate medicaments, dosed/retail), 3004.50.20 (Nicotinamide medicaments, dosed/retail), 3004.50.30 (Hydroxo-/cyanocobalamin medicaments, dosed/retail), 3004.50.40 (Vitamin A (retinol) medicaments, dosed/retail), 3004.50.50 (Calcium D-pantothenate or vitamin D3 drugs), 3004.50.60 (Tretinoin medicaments, dosed/retail), and more.