Subheading 13 of 18 in heading 2939
Norephedrine and its salts, entering under 2939440000, are List I chemicals under the Controlled Substances Act due to their use as methamphetamine precursors, placing them under the same DEA import permit and quota regime as ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. Commercially, norephedrine serves as a pharmaceutical intermediate and has historical use as a vasopressor. India is the sole recorded US supplier under this heading, creating a concentrated supply chain with limited diversification options for licensed importers. DEA's annual quota process and the single-source supply profile make advance planning essential for any manufacturer dependent on this chemical.
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Unlike a standard pharmaceutical API, norephedrine requires a DEA chemical importer registration (separate from a drug importer registration), a DEA import permit for each individual shipment, and compliance with annual aggregate import quotas. Importers must also file DEA transaction reports and maintain records for two years. These requirements apply in addition to any FDA drug facility registration obligations if the material is destined for pharmaceutical manufacturing.
With India as the sole recorded supplier, importers face concentration risk from regulatory, logistical, or geopolitical disruptions affecting Indian API exports. DEA quota constraints compound this risk — if an importer's annual quota is insufficient to cover a supply gap, there is no straightforward mechanism to source from an alternative country mid-year. Importers should factor quota lead times and safety stock requirements into their procurement planning.
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Imports for consumption | Average duty rate | Dutiable Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2939440000 | Norephedrine and Its Salts | — | -- | -- |
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Imports
Imports
—YoY · free account
Low of 4 reported months · imports
Low · free accountFewer than 6 of the last 12 months reported trade, or the latest month was under $500K; the trend chart is not shown for thin series.
Through August 2026 · imports 4 of 12 months reported. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Imports · August 2026
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None recorded for this period.