Alkaloids — HTS 2939
Alkaloids, natural or reproduced by synthesis, and their salts, ethers, esters and other derivatives
Chapter 29 › Heading 2939
2026 HTS Rev 19 Synced Rules verified Operational
Written to help non-specialists understand this page. Rates, dates, and legal facts come from the official records above and on the linked source.
HTS heading 2939 is a broad product category for alkaloids—nitrogen-containing substances that occur naturally in plants or are made by chemical synthesis—and certain forms made from them. It includes the alkaloid itself and specified salts, ethers, esters, and other derivatives. An alkaloid’s name alone may not be enough; its chemical form and composition matter.
The 4-digit heading is only the starting point. To reach the correct 8-digit HTSUS subheading, identify the specific substance or named group, determine whether it is natural or synthetic, and confirm whether it is presented as a salt or another derivative. The detailed tariff text, section and chapter notes, and any applicable exclusions control the final classification. A customs broker or other qualified classification professional may be needed for complex chemical products.
What to check
- Obtain the product’s exact chemical name, CAS Registry Number, molecular formula, and composition from the supplier or safety data sheet.
- Confirm whether the item is a naturally occurring alkaloid, a synthetic equivalent, a salt, ether, ester, or another derivative, and identify the counter-ion or modifying group where applicable.
- Read the complete 8-digit HTSUS descriptions and the relevant legal notes; do not select a code based only on a familiar trade name or the first matching search result.
- Check whether the product is a pure chemical, a mixture, solution, preparation, or formulation, because concentration and added ingredients can affect classification.
- Keep technical documentation supporting the classification and seek a binding ruling or qualified customs advice when the chemical identity or derivative status is uncertain.
HTS heading 2939 summary
Alkaloids is a 4-digit product category containing 4 published product-code lines in this snapshot. A heading does not carry one universal duty rate; classification must be narrowed to the line matching the product facts.
How to find your code in this category
A heading is a product category. To get the exact duty, narrow from this 4-digit heading to a sub-category (usually by material), then open the 8-digit code that matches your product.
Open any code in the tables below to see its exact duty rate, a duty calculator (enter your shipment value → estimated duty and landed cost), the rate-change history chart, and the country-by-country breakdown (including Section 301/232 add-on duties).
Why you have to click in: a single category can contain products with very different duties. The rate depends on the specific product — its material and construction — and on the country of origin, and those only get pinned down at the 8-digit code level. That is why this page points you to codes instead of showing one rate for the whole category.
Sub-categories
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 2939.19 | Other |
Product codes & duty rates
👇 Each row is a specific product code — click a blue code to open its full page with exact duty rates by country, the rate-history chart, and a duty calculator. 👉
| Code | Description | General (MFN) | Special | Column 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2939.11.00.00 👉 | Concentrates of poppy straw; buprenorphine (INN); codeine, dihydrocodeine (INN), ethylmorphine, etorphine (INN), heroin, hydrocodone (INN), hydromorphone (INN), morphine, nicomorphine (INN), oxycodone (INN), oxymorphone (INN), pholcodine (INN), thebacon (INN) and thebaine; salts thereof | Free | — | 15.4¢/kg + 50% |
| 2939.20.00 👉 | Alkaloids of cinchona and their derivatives; salts thereof | Free | — | Free |
| 2939.30.00.00 👉 | Caffeine and its salts | Free | — | 59% |
| 2939.80.00 👉 | Other | 6.5% | Free | 30.5% |
"Special" shows the free-trade-agreement rate; open a code to see exactly which countries qualify.
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 2939?
Alkaloids, natural or reproduced by synthesis, and their salts, ethers, esters and other derivatives. To classify a specific item you must pick the matching sub-category and 8-digit code above; the right choice usually depends on the material and construction of the product.
How do I choose the right code within this category?
Start from the sub-categories (typically divided by material—for example cotton versus man-made fibers), then open the active 8- or 10-digit code that matches the product. When unsure, a licensed customs broker or a CBP binding ruling can confirm the classification.
Reference information only, not customs, legal, or classification advice. Confirm the current code and rate against the official HTS before you import.