Product classification
HS code for Surgical glue: 3006.10
Pharmaceutical goods, sterile surgical catgut, suture materials, tissue adhesives, laminaria, laminaria tents, absorbable surgical or dental haemostatics, and surgical or dental adhesion barriers.
Classification of surgical glue under HS 3006.10
Surgical glue, technically known as sterile tissue adhesive, is classified under HS code 3006.10. This classification is determined by the product's function as a pharmaceutical good used for wound closure. Chapter 30 of the Harmonized System covers pharmaceutical products, and heading 3006 is reserved for specific pharmaceutical goods mentioned in Note 4 to the chapter. This note explicitly includes sterile surgical catgut, similar sterile suture materials, and sterile tissue adhesives for surgical wound closure. Unlike industrial glues, surgical glues are formulated to be biocompatible and are sterilized to prevent infection when applied to living tissue. They are often based on cyanoacrylates or fibrin and are used as an alternative to traditional sutures or staples. The classification 3006.10 ensures that these specialized medical materials are grouped with other essential surgical closure products, reflecting their critical role in clinical and operative settings.
- Covers
- Cyanoacrylate-based sterile tissue adhesives
- Fibrin sealants for surgical use
- Sterile liquid skin protectants for wound closure
- Absorbable surgical hemostatics
- Sterile synthetic absorbable sutures
- Also under 3006.10
- Ethicon Vicryl Suture
- Covidien Surgipro Suture
- Dermabond Topical Skin Adhesive
- Gelfoam Absorbable Gelatin Sponge
- Seprafilm Adhesion Barrier
Codes often confused with 3006.10
Common mistake. Surgical glue is often misclassified under HS code 3506, which covers prepared glues and other prepared adhesives not elsewhere specified. However, heading 3506 specifically excludes products that fall under Chapter 30. Another common error is classifying these products under 3006.40, which is intended for dental cements and other dental fillings. While both are adhesives used in a medical context, 3006.10 is the specific code for tissue adhesives used in general surgery and wound management. Confusing these can lead to regulatory delays due to the different safety standards applied to pharmaceutical goods versus general chemical adhesives.
Top exporters and importers of HS 300610 (the code used for surgical glue), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 300610 (the code used for surgical glue) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 25% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Belgium, with 18% 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 300610, not only surgical glue.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $1.4B 25% of world exports
- 2 Belgium $1.2B 21% of world exports
- 3 Germany $791M 14% of world exports
World total: $5.6B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Belgium $981M 18% of world imports
- 2 United States $703M 13% of world imports
- 3 Germany $646M 12% of world imports
World total: $5.5B 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 surgical glue
Brazil splits HS 3006.10 into 3 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 3006.10.10Polydioxanone surgical suture materials
- 3006.10.20Stainless steel surgical suture materials
- 3006.10.90Other sterile sutures, haemostatics and similar
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about surgical glue
What is the HS code for Surgical glue?
The HS code for Surgical glue is 300610 (Pharmaceutical goods; sterile surgical catgut, suture materials, tissue adhesives, laminaria, laminaria tents, absorbable surgical or dental haemostatics, and surgical or dental adhesion barriers). The HS code for surgical glue (sterile tissue adhesives) is 3006.10.
How do I classify Surgical glue for customs?
Surgical glue is classified under HS code 300610 — Pharmaceutical goods; sterile surgical catgut, suture materials, tissue adhesives, laminaria, laminaria tents, absorbable surgical or dental haemostatics, and surgical or dental adhesion barriers. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Can industrial superglue be classified under this code?
No, industrial adhesives are classified under heading 3506. Only sterile, medical-grade tissue adhesives intended for surgical wound closure qualify for HS code 3006.10.
Which countries are the top exporters of surgical glue (HS 300610)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 300610 (the code used for surgical glue) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.4B, 25% of world exports), Belgium ($1.2B) and Germany ($791M). World exports came to about $5.6B, 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 surgical glue (HS 300610)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 300610 (the code used for surgical glue) in UN Comtrade data were Belgium ($981M, 18% of world imports), the United States ($703M) and Germany ($646M). World imports came to about $5.5B, 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 Surgical glue the same in all countries?
The base HS code 300610 for Surgical glue 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 surgical glue in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 300610 into 3 NCM codes, so the right one for surgical glue depends on the product's details: 3006.10.10 (Polydioxanone surgical suture materials), 3006.10.20 (Stainless steel surgical suture materials), 3006.10.90 (Other sterile sutures, haemostatics and similar).