Standard International Trade Classification
U.S. imports of Alkaloid-Based Medicaments in Dosage or Retail Form (NES) (SITC 54232) totaled $72.8M in August 2026, imported from 32 countries.
Importers of Alkaloid-Based Medicaments in Dosage or Retail Form (NES) paid $232K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 0.33% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Alkaloid-Based Medicaments in Dosage or Retail Form (NES) imports of $72.8M in August 2026 ran 15% above the year-to-date monthly average of $63.1M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataAlkaloids and their derivatives—ranging from morphine-class narcotics to ergot compounds—are among the most tightly regulated active pharmaceutical ingredients in international trade, and finished dosage forms or retail packings fall under both FDA drug admissibility review and DEA scheduling controls for controlled substances. Classification under SITC 54232 captures products not elsewhere specified, meaning importers must confirm that no more-specific heading applies before using this code. Documentation requirements typically include FDA drug establishment registration, prior notice, and, for scheduled alkaloids, DEA import permits. Compliance complexity is high: consult a licensed customs broker and verify current FDA and DEA requirements before shipment.
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692 import shipments a month
The NES (not elsewhere specified) qualifier means the product must not fit a more specific SITC heading for alkaloid medicaments. Importers should review the full SITC schedule to confirm no narrower classification applies before declaring under 54232, as misclassification can trigger reclassification and penalty.
FDA reviews admissibility under its drug import authority, requiring the foreign manufacturer to be registered and the product to meet labeling and approval standards. If the alkaloid is a controlled substance (e.g., opioids, cocaine derivatives), a DEA import permit is also mandatory before the shipment can be released.
Basic heading 49 of 465 in section 5
Basic heading 54232 · $72.8M of $27.5B
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Imports · August 2026
origin
India and Germany together supply 62% of it.
customs district
Census does not publish district detail for this classification system.
destination
Census does not publish state detail for this classification system.
entry
Census does not publish port detail for this classification system.
ImportsExports
Imports
$72.8MYoY · free account
Exports
$24.5MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $834.9M of Alkaloid-Based Medicaments in Dosage or Retail Form (NES) and exported $227.1M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.