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HSChapter 12
U.S. imports of ephedra (HS 121150) totaled $4K in April 2026, traded with 3 countries.
Ephedra imports of $4K in April 2026 ran 83% below the year-to-date monthly average of $25K.
Last updated: April 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.
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.
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Monthly import values over time
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1211500000 | EPHEDRA | $4K | -- |
EPHEDRA
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1211500000 | EPHEDRA | $6K |
EPHEDRA
50 kg
PLANTS & PARTS ETC FOR MEDICAMENTS ETC NESOI
HS 121190
VEGETABLE SEEDS FOR SOWING
HS 120991
SOYBEANS, NESOI
HS 120190
LOW ERUCIC ACID RAPE/COLZA SEEDS W/NOT BROKEN
HS 120510
OIL SEEDS & OLEAGINOUS FRUITS W/NT BROKEN, NESOI
HS 120799
SUNFLOWER SEEDS, WHETHER OR NOT BROKEN
HS 120600
| State | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $4K | -- | -$4K |
| California | -- | -- | -- |
| New York | -- | -- | -- |
| Port | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| HILDAGO, TX | $4K | -- | -$4K |
| LOS ANGELES, CA | -- | -- | -- |
| NEWARK, NJ | -- | -- | -- |