Medicines, vaccines, bandages and diagnostic reagents — Chapter 30 of the Harmonised System covers all pharmaceutical and veterinary products.
Chapter 30 of the Harmonised System covers pharmaceutical products — from finished medicaments (heading 3004) to blood fractions (heading 3002) to medical bandages (heading 3005) and diagnostic reagents (heading 3822). Pharmaceutical products are heavily regulated at both customs and regulatory levels. In the EU, a Marketing Authorisation (MA) from the EMA or national medicines authority is required before any medicine can be sold or distributed. Import of finished medicaments without proper authorisation is prohibited. Import duties on pharmaceuticals are generally 0% in the EU, UK and USA for most headings, but the regulatory barrier — not the duty — is the primary concern for pharmaceutical shippers.
Import duty rates shown for the EU (from non-EU), UK (from non-UK), and USA (from non-USA). Intra-EU shipments have 0% duty.
| HS Code | Product description | EU duty | UK duty | USA duty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3001.90.91 | Dried glands and other organs for organo-therapeutic uses | 0% | 0% | 0% | Biological starting materials — requires import permits in most markets |
| 3002.11.00 | Malaria diagnostic test kits | 0% | 0% | 0% | IVD (in-vitro diagnostic) device — CE IVD marking required for EU |
| 3002.12.00 | Antisera and other blood fractions | 0% | 0% | 0% | Immunoglobulins, plasma — very strict import controls |
| 3002.20.00 | Vaccines for human medicine | 0% | 0% | 0% | Requires cold chain (2–8°C) and MA in destination country |
| 3002.30.00 | Vaccines for veterinary medicine | 0% | 0% | 0% | Veterinary vaccines — DEFRA (UK), USDA (USA) controls apply |
| 3004.10.00 | Medicaments containing penicillin or streptomycin | 0% | 0% | 0% | Antibiotic medicines — MA required, controlled substance rules may apply |
| 3004.20.00 | Medicaments containing antibiotics (other) | 0% | 0% | 0% | Other antibiotic finished dose forms |
| 3004.50.90 | Medicaments containing vitamins (other) | 0% | 0% | 0% | Vitamin supplement finished products — nutritional supplements may fall under food law instead of pharma |
| 3004.90.00 | Other medicaments for therapeutic or prophylactic use NES | 0% | 0% | 0% | Catch-all for finished dose form medicaments not elsewhere specified |
| 3005.10.00 | Adhesive dressings and bandages with pharmaceutical substance | 0% | 0% | 0% | Medicated wound dressings — may be classified as medical device |
| 3005.90.99 | Other bandages, wadding, gauze (non-medicated) | 0% | 0% | 0% | Basic wound care products |
| 3822.11.00 | Diagnostic reagents on a backing (blood-glucose test strips) | 0% | 0% | 0% | IVD — CE IVD EU Regulation 2017/746 applies from May 2022 |
Duty rates are indicative based on standard MFN (Most Favoured Nation) tariffs. Actual rates may vary by country of origin and applicable trade agreements. Always verify with the official tariff database of the destination country.
Chapter 30 pharmaceutical products attract 0% MFN import duty across virtually all headings. This reflects the Pharmaceutical Tariff Elimination Agreement under WTO. However, duty is secondary to regulatory requirements — a Marketing Authorisation (MA) from EMA or national competent authority is mandatory for all finished medicaments placed on the EU market. IVD devices require CE IVD marking under EU Regulation 2017/746.
UK applies 0% duty on Chapter 30 pharmaceuticals under the UK Global Tariff (mirroring WTO Pharma Agreement). Post-Brexit, the UK runs its own regulatory regime via MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency). EU Marketing Authorisations are no longer valid in the UK — a separate MHRA authorisation is required. IVDs require UKCA marking since July 2023.
USA applies 0% duty on most Chapter 30 headings under HTSUS. The FDA regulates pharmaceutical imports — all drug products must have an approved NDA (New Drug Application) or ANDA (generic). Personal use imports are subject to FDA personal importation policy (limited quantities, for personal use). Commercial import of unapproved drugs is prohibited.
Pharmaceutical products are among the most tightly controlled cargo categories globally — duty classification is often the simplest part of the process. Regulatory authorisation (EMA/MHRA/FDA) is the primary gate.
For research samples and clinical trial materials: these can often be imported under special exemptions with a clinical trial authorisation, import permit and declaration. Engage a specialist pharmaceutical customs broker.
Cold chain requirements for vaccines (2–8°C) and biologics (some require -70°C): not all carriers and services can maintain these conditions. Verify the carrier's cold chain capability before booking.
Controlled substances (narcotics, psychotropics — Schedule 1–4): require an import licence from the national drugs authority (INFARMED in Portugal, DEA in USA). Standard courier services do not carry controlled substances.
Distinction between medicament (Chapter 30) and nutritional supplement (Chapter 21): the classification depends on the product's primary intended use and whether it makes a therapeutic claim. A vitamin C tablet 'for immune support' may be Chapter 21 (food supplement); the same tablet 'for treatment of scurvy' would be Chapter 30 (medicament) requiring MA.
Veterinary products are included in Chapter 30 but may require additional permits from veterinary authorities (DGAV in Portugal, APHA in UK, USDA/APHIS in USA).
Can I ship medicines from Portugal to other countries?
Shipping finished medicaments internationally requires a Marketing Authorisation in the destination country. Within the EU, a centrally-authorised medicine (EMA approval) or nationally-authorised medicine can move between EU member states under certain conditions. Outside the EU (UK, USA, etc.), separate national authorisations are required. Personal use quantities may be exempt under some countries' personal importation policies, but commercial export always requires proper authorisation.
What is the HS code for vitamin supplements?
It depends on how the product is presented and labelled. Vitamin supplements presented as food (nutritional supplement with nutritional claims) are generally classified under Chapter 21 (9021.90.00 or 2106.90.xx). Vitamins presented as medicaments (making therapeutic claims) fall under Chapter 30 (3004.50.90). The packaging, labelling and intended use determine the classification — customs authorities in the destination country will examine the product's claims.
Do I need a special licence to export medicines from Portugal?
Yes — commercial export of medicinal products from Portugal requires a wholesale distribution authorisation from INFARMED (Portuguese national medicines and health products authority) and the medicine must hold a valid Marketing Authorisation in the destination country. For export outside the EU, a Certificate of a Pharmaceutical Product (CPP) from INFARMED may be required by the destination country's authorities.
What HS code covers COVID-19 test kits?
Rapid antigen COVID-19 test kits are classified under HS 3822 (diagnostic reagents). Specifically, lateral flow test kits typically use HS 3822.11.00 (diagnostic reagents on a backing). These are classified as IVD (in-vitro diagnostic) medical devices and require CE IVD marking for EU market access under EU Regulation 2017/746.
Are there import duties on pharmaceuticals in the EU?
No — virtually all Chapter 30 pharmaceutical products attract 0% MFN import duty in the EU under the WTO Pharmaceutical Tariff Elimination Agreement. The regulatory barrier (Marketing Authorisation) is the primary constraint on pharmaceutical trade, not import duties.
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