Alkaloids; pseudoephedrine (INN) and its salts

HS v2017 Code: 293942

About alkaloids; pseudoephedrine (inn) and its salts

HS code 293942 covers the alkaloid compound pseudoephedrine and its salts. Pseudoephedrine is a widely used decongestant and stimulant, with applications in both pharmaceutical and illicit drug production. As a key ingredient in many over-the-counter and prescription medications, this code represents an important segment of the global pharmaceutical industry. The trade and regulation of products under this code are closely monitored due to the potential for misuse in the manufacture of methamphetamine and other controlled substances.

Production process

Pseudoephedrine is typically extracted from the ephedra plant or synthesized through chemical processes. The main production techniques involve extraction, purification, and crystallization to isolate the pure alkaloid compound. Pharmaceutical-grade pseudoephedrine is then formulated into various dosage forms such as tablets, capsules, and syrups for medicinal use.

Production inputs

The primary inputs for the production of pseudoephedrine and its salts are the ephedra plant, which serves as the natural source, as well as various chemical reagents and solvents used in the extraction and synthesis processes. Specialized production equipment, such as extraction columns, distillation units, and crystallization tanks, are also essential inputs for this industry.

Production outputs

The main outputs of HS code 293942 are pharmaceutical-grade pseudoephedrine and its salts, which are used in the manufacture of decongestants, stimulants, and other medications. These products are often consumed by industries under 300 Pharmaceutical products and 382110 Medicaments, as well as the illicit drug trade.

Revisions to 293942

Classification codes are adjusted frequently. The code may have been revised or replaced between system versions. The table below shows the history (newest to oldest) of the code 293942. The most recent 1 version of this code (293942) is in the HS v2022 system:

This page shows a legacy version of code 293942 ( HS v2017).

Family tree for alkaloids; pseudoephedrine (inn) and its salts

    graph LR
    A["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/29'>29: Organic chemicals</a>"]
A --> B["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2939'>2939: Alkaloids; natural or reproduced by synthesis, and their salts, ethers, esters and other derivatives</a>"]
B --> C["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/293942'>293942: Alkaloids; pseudoephedrine (INN) and its salts</a>"]

    B --> D["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/293911'>293911: Alkaloids; of opium and their derivatives; salts thereof</a>"]
B --> E["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/293919'>293919: Alkaloids; of opium and their derivatives; other than in 2939.11, salts thereof</a>"]
B --> F["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/293920'>293920: Alkaloids; of cinchona and their derivatives; salts thereof</a>"]
B --> G["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/293930'>293930: Alkaloids; caffeine and its salts</a>"]
B --> H["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/293941'>293941: Alkaloids; ephedrine and its salts</a>"]
B --> I["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/293943'>293943: Alkaloids; cathine (INN) and its salts</a>"]
B --> J["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/293944'>293944: Alkaloids; norephedrine and its salts</a>"]
B --> K["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/293949'>293949: Alkaloids; other than ephedrine, pseudoephedrine (INN), norephedrine, and cathine (INN) and their salts</a>"]
B --> L["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/293951'>293951: Alkaloids; theophylline and aminophylline (theophylline-ethylenediamine) and their derivatives; salts thereof, fenetylline (INN) and its salts</a>"]
B --> M["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/293959'>293959: Alkaloids; theophylline and aminophylline (theophylline-ethylenediamine) and their derivatives; salts thereof, other than fenetylline</a>"]
B --> N["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/293961'>293961: Alkaloids; of rye ergot and their derivatives, ergometrine (INN) and its salts</a>"]
B --> O["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/293962'>293962: Alkaloids; of rye ergot and their derivatives, ergotamine (INN) and its salts</a>"]
B --> P["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/293963'>293963: Alkaloids; of rye ergot and their derivatives, lysergic acid and its salts</a>"]
B --> Q["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/293969'>293969: Alkaloids; of rye ergot and their derivatives, salts thereof, n.e.c. in item no. 2939.6</a>"]
B --> R["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/293971'>293971: Alkaloids; of vegetal origin, cocaine, ecgonine, levometamfetamine, metamfetamine (INN), metamfetamine racemate; salts, esters and other derivatives thereof</a>"]
B --> S["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/293979'>293979: Alkaloids; of vegetal origin, other than cocaine, ecgonine, levometamfetamine, metamfetamine (INN), metamfetamine racemate; salts, esters and other derivatives; n.e.c. in heading no. 2939</a>"]
B --> T["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/293980'>293980: Alkaloids; natural or reproduced by synthesis, and their salts, esters and other derivatives n.e.c. in heading no. 2939</a>"]

    

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    classDef level2 color:#000,fill:#e0a458,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef level3 color:#000,fill:#419d78,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef level4 color:#000,fill:#c04abc,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef level5 color:#000,fill:#f1c40f,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef level6 color:#000,fill:#f1c40f,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef highlight color:#000,fill:#fff,stroke:#000,stroke-width:5px



  %% Apply classes
  class A level2
class B level4
class C level6
class D level6
class E level6
class F level6
class G level6
class H level6
class I level6
class J level6
class K level6
class L level6
class M level6
class N level6
class O level6
class P level6
class Q level6
class R level6
class S level6
class T level6

  class C highlight

  %% class A level1
  %% class B,C level2
  %% class D,E,F,G,H,I level2
  %% class J,K,L,M,N,O,P level3
  %% class C highlight