Loading...
U.S. imports of ephedra (HS 121150) totaled $8K in July 2026, traded with 4 countries.
Ephedra imports of $8K in July 2026 ran 54% below the year-to-date monthly average of $18K.
Last updated: July 2026 dataEphedra — the plant genus whose alkaloids (ephedrine and pseudoephedrine) are regulated precursors to stimulants and decongestants — is classified under a single 10-digit line (1211500000) and faces heightened regulatory scrutiny at US ports of entry. China is the primary supplier, with Egypt, India, and Pakistan also among the source countries. FDA banned ephedrine alkaloid-containing dietary supplements in 2004, so commercial imports are generally limited to pharmaceutical-grade raw material destined for licensed manufacturers; importers must be prepared to demonstrate the intended lawful end use. DEA scheduling of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine as List I chemicals means that importers of ephedra plant material may also face DEA registration and reporting requirements depending on alkaloid content and intended processing.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
2 shipments/mo
No. FDA's 2004 final rule prohibits the sale of dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids. Ephedra imports are therefore generally restricted to pharmaceutical or chemical manufacturing uses by appropriately licensed entities. Importers should obtain FDA and, where applicable, DEA guidance before attempting entry.
Unlike the broader 'plants and parts for medicaments' basket of heading 1211.90, ephedra has its own dedicated HS6 subheading (121150) and a single US tariff line (1211500000), reflecting its distinct regulatory profile as a controlled-alkaloid source plant. This specificity means there is no ambiguity about which line applies, but the regulatory compliance burden — spanning FDA and potentially DEA — is substantially higher than for most other botanical imports.
Supplier Network
Get discovered by U.S. importers searching for HS 121150 — Ephedra. Be the first supplier listed.
Subheading 4 of 6 in heading 1211
Subheading 121150 · $8K of $46.6M
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % | Dutiable Share | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1211500000 | Ephedra | $8K | 17.65% | 100.00% | $1K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1211500000 | Ephedra | $6K |
Import lines come from the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule and export lines from Schedule B. The two are numbered by different agencies, so the same 10-digit code can appear in both tables describing a different product.
HSChapter 12
ImportsExports
Imports
$8KYoY · Pro
Exports
$0YoY · Pro
12-mo low · imports
YoY · ProFewer than 6 of the last 12 months reported trade above $500K; the trend chart is not shown for thin series.
Through July 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Imports · July 2026
origin
India and China together supply 100% of it.
Sign in free to see the top 5 →customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
the effective duty rate is 17.65%.