Heading 2939

Alkaloids, natural or reproduced by synthesis, and their salts, ethers, esters and other derivatives

24 declarable lines

Heading 2939 covers alkaloids, whether extracted from plants or reproduced by synthesis, plus their salts, ethers, esters and other derivatives. The heading is split first by the plant source or alkaloid family: opium, cinchona, caffeine, ephedra, theophylline and aminophylline, rye ergot, other vegetal origin, and a residual other group. Most lines in this heading are free of general (MFN) duty; the residual 2939.80 lines carry 6.5%.

Products in this heading

Caffeine powder and caffeine salts
Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine salts
Quinine and quinine salts
Theophylline and aminophylline
Ergotamine and ergometrine
Morphine, codeine and oxycodone salts
Atropine and its salts
Saxitoxin

How to choose the right subheading

Identify the alkaloid family or source plant: opium, cinchona, ephedra, rye ergot, or other vegetal origin.
Decide whether the goods are the alkaloid itself or a salt, ester or other derivative of it.
Match the specific named alkaloid in the line description before using an Other line.
Check whether the product is natural or synthetic where the line allows a synthetic breakdown.
Confirm the goods are a separate chemically defined alkaloid compound, not a preparation or mixture.

Often confused with

Vitamins such as thiamine and riboflavin
Vitamins and provitamins have their own heading even when made by synthesis.
Heading 2936
Penicillins and other antibiotics
Antibiotics are classified in 2941, not with alkaloids.
Heading 2941
Insulin and other hormones
Hormones and their structural analogues go in 2937.
Heading 2937
Stevioside and other glycosides
Glycosides have a separate heading even when plant derived.
Heading 2938
Synthetic nitrogen heterocycles that are not alkaloids, such as piperazine
Compounds with a nitrogen hetero-atom only, not alkaloid based, fall in 2933.
Heading 2933

Frequently asked questions

What is the HTS code for caffeine?

Caffeine and its salts are classified under 2939.30.00.00, at a general (MFN) rate of Free.

What is the duty on pseudoephedrine and its salts?

Pseudoephedrine (INN) and its salts fall under 2939.42.00.00, at a general (MFN) rate of Free.

How do I classify saxitoxin?

Saxitoxin is named in 2939.80.00.10, which carries a general (MFN) rate of 6.5%.

Guide written from the official schedule text. Rates quoted are general (MFN) rates; check the line page for trade agreement rates and the classification of your exact product.