Product classification
HS code for Sterile dressings: 3005.90
Wadding, gauze, bandages and similar articles, (excluding adhesive dressings), impregnated or coated with pharmaceutical substances, packaged for retail sale.
Classification of sterile dressings under HS 3005.90
Classification under 3005.90 is determined by the pharmaceutical nature and the packaging of the product. Chapter 30 of the Harmonized System covers pharmaceutical products, and heading 3005 specifically includes wadding, gauze, bandages, and similar articles that are either impregnated or coated with pharmaceutical substances or are put up in forms or packings for retail sale for medical, surgical, dental, or veterinary purposes. The subheading 3005.90 is a residual category for items that do not fall under 3005.10 (adhesive dressings). To qualify for 3005.90, the dressings must be sterile and intended for direct application to wounds or surgical sites. The \"retail sale\" requirement is crucial; the items must be packaged in a way that they are ready for use by the end consumer or medical professional without further processing. This includes sterile gauze pads, non-adhesive bandages, and specialized dressings treated with antiseptic or healing agents. The classification relies on the material's primary use in medical treatment and its sterile condition, which distinguishes it from standard textile products found in Section XI. Furthermore, the presence of pharmaceutical substances like silver, iodine, or antibiotics on the dressing material reinforces its classification within Chapter 30 rather than as a simple textile article.
- Covers
- Sterile gauze swabs and pads
- Non-adhesive medicated bandages
- Burn dressings impregnated with soothing gels
- Sterile cotton wadding for surgical use
- Absorbent pads for wound care
- Also under 3005.90
- Betadine Antiseptic Swabs
- Aquacel Ag+ Extra (silver dressing)
- Jelonet Paraffin Gauze
- Mepilex Ag (silver foam dressing)
- Bactigras Chlorhexidine Gauze
Codes often confused with 3005.90
Common mistake. The most common confusion occurs with HS code 3005.10, which is specifically for adhesive dressings and other articles having an adhesive layer (like Band-Aids). If the dressing has any self-adhesive property, it must go to 3005.10. Another misclassification involves 3006.10, which covers sterile surgical catgut and similar sterile suture materials. Furthermore, if the gauze or bandages are not sterile and not packaged for retail sale, they might be classified under their constituent material, such as 5208 for woven cotton fabrics, rather than as medical products. Importers must verify the sterility and the presence of pharmaceutical coatings to avoid these errors.
Top exporters and importers of HS 300590 (the code used for sterile dressings), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 300590 (the code used for sterile dressings) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 25% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 17% 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 300590, not only sterile dressings.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $1.3B 25% of world exports
- 2 United States $587M 11% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $538M 10% of world exports
World total: $5.3B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $906M 17% of world imports
- 2 Germany $646M 12% of world imports
- 3 Netherlands $333M 6.1% of world imports
World total: $5.4B 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 sterile dressings
Brazil splits HS 3005.90 into 5 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 3005.90.11Absorbable polyglycolic acid dressings
- 3005.90.12Absorbable glycolic-lactic copolymer dressings
- 3005.90.19Other absorbable dressings
- 3005.90.20Nonwoven surgical drapes
- 3005.90.90Other medical wadding, gauze and bandages
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about sterile dressings
What is the HS code for Sterile dressings?
The HS code for Sterile dressings is 300590 (Wadding, gauze, bandages and similar articles; (excluding adhesive dressings), impregnated or coated with pharmaceutical substances, packaged for retail sale). The HS code for sterile, non-adhesive dressings packaged for retail sale is 3005.90.
How do I classify Sterile dressings for customs?
Sterile dressings is classified under HS code 300590 — Wadding, gauze, bandages and similar articles; (excluding adhesive dressings), impregnated or coated with pharmaceutical substances, packaged for retail sale. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include regular cotton balls?
Regular cotton balls are only included under 3005.90 if they are sterile and packaged for retail medical use; otherwise, they may fall under 5601 as wadding.
Which countries are the top exporters of sterile dressings (HS 300590)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 300590 (the code used for sterile dressings) in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.3B, 25% of world exports), the United States ($587M) and the Netherlands ($538M). 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 sterile dressings (HS 300590)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 300590 (the code used for sterile dressings) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($906M, 17% of world imports), Germany ($646M) and the Netherlands ($333M). World imports came to about $5.4B, 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 Sterile dressings the same in all countries?
The base HS code 300590 for Sterile dressings 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 sterile dressings in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 300590 into 5 NCM codes, so the right one for sterile dressings depends on the product's details: 3005.90.11 (Absorbable polyglycolic acid dressings), 3005.90.12 (Absorbable glycolic-lactic copolymer dressings), 3005.90.19 (Other absorbable dressings), 3005.90.20 (Nonwoven surgical drapes), 3005.90.90 (Other medical wadding, gauze and bandages).