HS Code for Unpackaged medicine

Unpackaged medicine is classified under HS code 3003.90. This classification is found in Chapter 30, which covers pharmaceutical products. Heading 3003 is specifically for medicaments consisting of two or more constituents which have been mixed together for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, but which are not put up in measured doses or in forms or packings for retail sale. This is often referred to as "bulk" medicine. The subheading 3003.90 is the residual category for medicaments that do not contain penicillins, streptomycins, insulin, or hormones. The key factor for this classification is the state of the product: it must be a mixture of medicinal ingredients intended for health purposes, but it must lack the final retail packaging or individual dosage forms (like tablets in blister packs) that would otherwise place it in heading 3004. This code is typically used for bulk shipments of medicinal mixtures that will later be processed, encapsulated, or packaged into retail-ready formats at a different facility.

Products Included

• Bulk liquid medicinal mixtures
• Mixed medicinal powders in large industrial drums
• Uncompressed tablet mixtures in bulk containers
• Granulated medicinal compounds for further processing
• Non-hormonal medicinal solutions in bulk

Common Misclassification

The most frequent misclassification is using HS code 3004.90. Heading 3004 is reserved for medicines "put up in measured doses" or "packaged for retail sale." If the medicine is in a bottle for a single patient or in a blister pack, it must be 3004. Additionally, pure chemical compounds that have not been mixed for medicinal use are classified in Chapter 29 (e.g., 2936 for vitamins) rather than 3003.

FAQ

What is the HS code for Unpackaged medicine?

The HS code for unpackaged, mixed medicaments (not containing antibiotics or hormones) is 3003.90.

What is the difference between 3003 and 3004?

Heading 3003 is for bulk mixtures, while 3004 is for medicines that are already in their final dosage form (like pills) or are packaged for direct sale to consumers.