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SITCSection 5
U.S. imports of alkaloid-based medicaments, bulk (non-dosage form) (SITC 54231) totaled $905K in July 2026, traded with 7 countries.
Importers of Alkaloid-Based Medicaments, Bulk (Non-Dosage Form) paid $11K in duties in July 2026 — an effective duty rate of 10% on $113K in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Alkaloid-Based Medicaments, Bulk (Non-Dosage Form) imports of $905K in July 2026 ran 20% below the year-to-date monthly average of $1.1M.
Basic heading 401 of 465 in section 5
Basic heading 54231 · $905K of $28.9B
Bulk medicaments containing alkaloids and their derivatives — not in dosage form or retail packaging — encompass a pharmacologically diverse group of APIs derived from plant or synthetic sources, including opioid alkaloids, xanthines, ergot alkaloids, and vinca alkaloids used in oncology and neurology. Many alkaloid-based APIs are controlled substances under the Controlled Substances Act, requiring DEA import permits in addition to FDA admissibility clearance, making dual-agency compliance a defining feature of this trade category. The NES designation excludes alkaloids classified elsewhere in the SITC schedule, so importers must confirm the specific compound is not captured by a more specific heading. These bulk materials typically move between API manufacturers and finished-drug producers under strict chain-of-custody documentation.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
10 shipments/mo
Alkaloids that are scheduled under the Controlled Substances Act — including opioid alkaloids such as morphine, codeine, and thebaine, as well as cocaine alkaloids and certain ergot derivatives — require DEA Schedule I or II import authorization. The specific schedule and permit type depend on the compound; importers should consult DEA's Diversion Control Division and confirm scheduling status before arranging shipment.
Vinca alkaloids such as vincristine and vinblastine fall within this heading when imported in bulk, non-dosage form, provided they are not more specifically classified elsewhere in the schedule. Because these are cytotoxic APIs, importers should also confirm FDA establishment registration for the foreign manufacturer and ensure the shipment complies with any applicable hazardous materials handling requirements during transit.
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Imports · July 2026
origin
India and United Kingdom together supply 98% 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
$905KYoY · Pro
Exports
$411KYoY · Pro
12-mo low · imports
YoY · ProThrough July 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.