Antibiotics - HS 3003 classification, duty and landed cost
Antibiotics moves through customs under HS heading 3003. This guide sets out sample sub-codes, indicative import duty in major markets, key trade documents and a worked landed-cost calculation - refresh figures against the live tariff schedule before quoting.
Sample 6-digit codes
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 3003.20 | Medicaments containing antibiotics, not retail |
Typical import duty by market
| Market | Duty |
|---|---|
| European Union | 0% - 4% EMA authorisation for medicines; MDR/IVDR for devices. |
| United States | 0% FDA drug approval (NDA/ANDA); 510(k)/PMA for devices; DSCSA track-and-trace. |
| China | 0% - 5% Plus 13% VAT; NMPA registration for drugs and devices. |
| India | 10% BCD + 12% GST; CDSCO import registration and licence. |
| UAE | 0% MOHAP/DHA registration; halal/pharmacovigilance requirements. |
Numerical Example: 20 MT of Antibiotics at FOB USD 45,000 per MT, sea freight to a representative port of discharge.
20 MT of Antibiotics at FOB USD 45,000 per MT, sea freight to a representative port of discharge.. Run your own numbers in the Import Duty & Tax calculator.
- · Marketing authorisation or import licence in destination (FDA, EMA, NMPA, CDSCO, MOHAP).
- · GMP certificate for manufacturing site and Certificate of Pharmaceutical Product (CPP).
- · Serialisation and track-and-trace where mandated (EU FMD, US DSCPA, India Track & Trace).
- · China
- · India
- · Germany
- · Italy
Frequently asked questions
Antibiotics is under HS 3003.20. Chapter 30 covers pharmaceutical products; Chapter 90 covers medical instruments and devices.
Yes. FDA (US), EMA/national (EU), NMPA (China), CDSCO (India), MOHAP (UAE) each require pre-market authorisation for prescription drugs and higher-class devices.
GMP certificate for each manufacturing site, plus Certificate of Pharmaceutical Product (CPP) endorsed by the exporting country's regulatory authority.
Biologicals and vaccines ship in validated 2-8°C or -20°C shippers with continuous data loggers; excursions require an OOS investigation before release.
CIP (with Institute Cargo Clauses A) is standard; DDP is used for hospital tenders where the exporter takes local customs and delivery risk.
Import duty and tax by destination market
Typical MFN duty, consumption tax and the tax base applied to pharma & medical (HS 3003) in each market we cover. Rates are indicative at the 6-digit line | confirm the national 8/10-digit code with your broker.
| Market | Duty | Consumption tax | Tax base | Tax as % of CIF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 10% | IGST 18% | Assessable value + duty | 30.1% |
| United Arab Emirates | 0% | VAT 5% | CIF + duty | 5.0% |
| Saudi Arabia | 0% | VAT 15% | CIF + duty | 15.0% |
| Singapore | 0% | GST 9% | CIF + duty | 9.0% |
| China | 0% | VAT 13% | CIF + duty | 13.0% |
| United States | 0% | Federal VAT 0% | CIF | 0.3% |
| United Kingdom | 0% | VAT 20% | CIF + duty | 20.0% |
| Germany | 0% | USt 19% | CIF + duty | 19.0% |
| Netherlands | 0% | BTW 21% | CIF + duty | 21.0% |
| Vietnam | 0% | VAT 10% | CIF + duty | 10.0% |
| Türkiye | 0% | KDV 20% | CIF + duty | 20.0% |
| Japan | 0% | JCT 10% | CIF + duty | 10.0% |
| South Korea | 0% | VAT 10% | CIF + duty | 10.0% |
| Brazil | 0% | IPI+PIS/COFINS+ICMS 32% | CIF + duty | 32.0% |
| Indonesia | 0% | PPN 11% | CIF + duty | 13.5% |
| Mexico | 0% | IVA 16% | CIF + duty | 16.9% |
| Egypt | 0% | VAT 14% | CIF + duty | 14.0% |
| Nigeria | 0% | VAT 7.5% | CIF + duty | 9.1% |
| South Africa | 0% | VAT 15% | Assessable value + duty | 16.5% |
| Australia | 0% | GST 10% | CIF + duty | 10.0% |
Run your own numbers with the landed cost calculator or check documentation requirements in the LC document checklist.