Alkaloids; of ephedrine and their derivatives; pseudoephedrine (INN) and its salts

HS v2022 Code: 293942

About alkaloids; of ephedrine and their derivatives; pseudoephedrine (inn) and its salts

HS code 293942 covers a group of alkaloid compounds derived from the ephedra plant. These compounds, including ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, have important pharmaceutical and medical applications. The production and trade of these substances are closely regulated due to their potential use in the illicit manufacture of methamphetamine. However, they remain essential ingredients in many over-the-counter and prescription medications, making this industry a critical component of the global pharmaceutical supply chain.

Production process

The production of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine typically involves the extraction and purification of alkaloids from the ephedra plant. This process may involve various techniques such as solvent extraction, crystallization, and chromatography to isolate the desired compounds in high purity. Synthetic production methods are also utilized, particularly for the manufacture of pseudoephedrine and its derivatives.

Production inputs

The primary inputs for this industry include the ephedra plant, which serves as the natural source of the alkaloid compounds. Additionally, various chemical reagents, solvents, and specialized equipment are required for the extraction, purification, and synthesis of the final products. Skilled labor, including chemists and pharmaceutical technicians, is also a crucial input for this industry.

Production outputs

The main outputs of this industry are the alkaloid compounds, primarily ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, which are used in the production of a wide range of pharmaceutical products. These outputs may be consumed by other HS codes, such as 300490 Medicaments, consisting of mixed or unmixed products for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, put up in measured doses or in forms or packings for retail sale, 300220 Vaccines for human medicine, and 300450 Other medicaments, containing vitamins or other products of heading 2936, among others, where they serve as essential active ingredients or precursors.

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 version):

This page shows the most recent version of code 293942.

Family tree for alkaloids; of ephedrine and their derivatives; pseudoephedrine (inn) and its salts

    graph LR
    A["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/29'>29: Organic chemicals</a>"]
A --> B["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/2939'>2939: Alkaloids; natural or reproduced by synthesis, and their salts, ethers, esters and other derivatives</a>"]
B --> C["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293942'>293942: Alkaloids; of ephedrine and their derivatives; pseudoephedrine (INN) and its salts</a>"]

    B --> D["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293911'>293911: Alkaloids; of opium and their derivatives; salts thereof</a>"]
B --> E["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293919'>293919: Alkaloids; of opium and their derivatives; other than in 2939.11, salts thereof</a>"]
B --> F["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293920'>293920: Alkaloids; of cinchona and their derivatives; salts thereof</a>"]
B --> G["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293930'>293930: Alkaloids; caffeine and its salts</a>"]
B --> H["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293941'>293941: Alkaloids; of ephedrine and their derivatives; salts thereof</a>"]
B --> I["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293943'>293943: Alkaloids; of ephedrine and their derivatives; cathine (INN) and its salts</a>"]
B --> J["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293944'>293944: Alkaloids; of ephedrine and their derivatives; norephedrine and its salts</a>"]
B --> K["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293945'>293945: Alkaloids; of ephedrine and their derivatives; levometamfetamine, metamfetamine (INN), metamefetamine racemate and their salts</a>"]
B --> L["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293949'>293949: Alkaloids; of ephedrine and their derivatives; other than ephedrine, pseudoephedrine (INN), norephedrine, cathine (INN), levometamfetamine, metamfetamine (INN), metamefetamine racemate and their salts</a>"]
B --> M["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293951'>293951: Alkaloids; theophylline and aminophylline (theophylline-ethylenediamine) and their derivatives; salts thereof, fenetylline (INN) and its salts</a>"]
B --> N["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293959'>293959: Alkaloids; theophylline and aminophylline (theophylline-ethylenediamine) and their derivatives; salts thereof, other than fenetylline</a>"]
B --> O["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293961'>293961: Alkaloids; of rye ergot and their derivatives, ergometrine (INN) and its salts</a>"]
B --> P["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293962'>293962: Alkaloids; of rye ergot and their derivatives, ergotamine (INN) and its salts</a>"]
B --> Q["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293963'>293963: Alkaloids; of rye ergot and their derivatives, lysergic acid and its salts</a>"]
B --> R["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293969'>293969: Alkaloids; of rye ergot and their derivatives, salts thereof, n.e.c. in item no. 2939.6</a>"]
B --> S["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293972'>293972: Alkaloids; of vegetal origin, cocaine, ecgonine; salts, esters and other derivatives thereof</a>"]
B --> T["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293979'>293979: Alkaloids; of vegetal origin, other than cocaine, ecgonine; salts, esters and other derivatives; n.e.c. in heading no. 2939</a>"]
B --> U["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293980'>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 highlight color:#000,fill:#fff,stroke:#000,stroke-width:5px



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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 U level6

  class C highlight

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