Product classification

HS code for Unpackaged medicine: 3003.90

Medicaments, (not containing antibiotics, hormones, alkaloids or their derivatives), for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, (not packaged for retail sale).

Classification of unpackaged medicine under HS 3003.90

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.

Covers
  • 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
Also under 3003.90
  • Tylenol (bulk API)
  • Advil (bulk API)
  • Glucophage (bulk API)
  • Prilosec (bulk API)
  • Zocor (bulk API)

Codes often confused with 3003.90

Common mistake. 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.

3004.90Medicaments; consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale30.04Medicaments; (not goods of heading no. 3002, 3005 or 3006) consisting of mixed or unmixed products for therapeutic or prophylactic use, put up in measured doses (incl. those in the form of transdermal admin. systems) or packed for retail sale29.36Provitamins, vitamins; natural or reproduced by synthesis (including natural concentrates) derivatives thereof used as vitamins, and intermixtures of the fore-going, whether or not in any solvent30.03Medicaments; (not goods of heading no. 3002, 3005 or 3006) of two or more constituents mixed together for therapeutic or prophylactic use not in measured doses or in forms or packings for retail sale

Top exporters and importers of HS 300390 (the code used for unpackaged medicine), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 300390 (the code used for unpackaged medicine) in UN Comtrade data was Portugal, with 28% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Saudi Arabia, 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 300390, not only unpackaged medicine.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Portugal $3.6B
  2. 2 Belgium $996M
  3. 3 United States $915M

World total: $12.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Saudi Arabia $2.2B
  2. 2 United States $1.9B
  3. 3 Germany $1.4B

World total: $12.9B 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 unpackaged medicine

Brazil splits HS 3003.90 into 75 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.

Questions about unpackaged medicine

What is the HS code for Unpackaged medicine?

The HS code for Unpackaged medicine is 300390 (Medicaments; (not containing antibiotics, hormones, alkaloids or their derivatives), for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, (not packaged for retail sale)). The HS code for unpackaged, mixed medicaments (not containing antibiotics or hormones) is 3003.90.

How do I classify Unpackaged medicine for customs?

Unpackaged medicine is classified under HS code 300390 — Medicaments; (not containing antibiotics, hormones, alkaloids or their derivatives), for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, (not packaged for retail sale). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

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.

Which countries are the top exporters of unpackaged medicine (HS 300390)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 300390 (the code used for unpackaged medicine) in UN Comtrade data were Portugal ($3.6B, 28% of world exports), Belgium ($996M) and the United States ($915M). World exports came to about $12.7B, 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.

Which countries are the top importers of unpackaged medicine (HS 300390)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 300390 (the code used for unpackaged medicine) in UN Comtrade data were Saudi Arabia ($2.2B, 17% of world imports), the United States ($1.9B) and Germany ($1.4B). World imports came to about $12.9B, 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.

Is the HS code for Unpackaged medicine the same in all countries?

The base HS code 300390 for Unpackaged 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 unpackaged medicine in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 300390 into 75 NCM codes, so the right one for unpackaged medicine depends on the product's details: 3003.90.11 (Calcium folinate medicaments, bulk), 3003.90.12 (Nicotinamide medicaments, bulk), 3003.90.13 (Hydroxo-/cyanocobalamin medicaments, bulk), 3003.90.14 (Vitamin A (retinol) medicaments, bulk), 3003.90.15 (Calcium D-pantothenate or vitamin D3 drugs, bulk), 3003.90.16 (High-potency vitamin A/D3 ester drugs, bulk), and more.