Group 08

Pharmaceuticals, APIs and infusions

Finished medicines, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), infusions and IV fluids, vaccines and vitamin products, subject to authorisation and GDP.

HS 3004.90
HS 3004.50
HS 3003.90
HS 3002.41

Pharmaceuticals are the product group in our articles of association with the strictest rules. This group covers finished medicines, pharmaceutical raw materials such as active ingredients and excipients, infusion solutions and IV fluids, vaccines and vitamin products. Trade in these products is conducted only with organisations that hold a marketing authorisation or import permit in the destination country and are legally entitled to trade in medicines.

In a pharmaceutical shipment, three things are checked together: the manufacturer's GMP certificate, the product's marketing authorisation or import permit status in the destination country and the GDP compliance of the distribution chain. The marketing authorisation application and import permit are the responsibility of the buyer or the local authorisation holder; we help obtain documents for these applications from the manufacturer, such as the CPP, GMP certificate and certificate of analysis. Products containing narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances are not handled without the special import and export authorisations of the countries concerned.

Products we supply in this group

Authorised finished medicines (tablets, capsules, syrups, injectables)
Hospital medicines and generic products
Active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and pharmaceutical raw materials
Pharmaceutical excipients
Infusions and IV fluids: isotonic saline, dextrose, Ringer's lactate
Vaccines for human use
Hormone products
Vitamin and mineral preparations
Antibiotic raw materials
Clinical and parenteral nutrition products

Who we work for

Pharmaceutical importers holding marketing authorisations
Pharmaceutical wholesalers and distributors
Hospital pharmacies and central purchasing units
Pharmaceutical manufacturers sourcing raw materials
Companies bidding to public medicine procurement agencies

Typical HS subheadings

3004.90	Other medicaments in measured doses (finished products, including IV fluids)
3004.50	Other medicaments in measured doses containing vitamins
3003.90	Other medicaments not in measured doses
3002.41	Vaccines for human medicine
2941.90	Other antibiotics
2936.90	Vitamin mixtures and natural concentrates

Codes are indicative and follow the HS 2022 nomenclature. The final classification is made for each shipment based on the product's technical characteristics, intended use and the tariff of the destination country.

Documents we request from the manufacturer

Manufacturer's GMP certificate
Lot-specific certificate of analysis (CoA)
Certificate of Pharmaceutical Product (CPP) and the product's marketing authorisation details
For APIs, manufacturer details, CEP or DMF status and pharmacopoeia compliance
Storage and transport conditions, temperature records and information on the carrier's GDP compliance

Transport and storage notes

Vaccines and many biological products are shipped at 2-8 °C, protected from freezing and with a data logger.

Infusions and IV fluids are heavy and bulky; they are mostly shipped by sea or road, within the temperature limits on their label.

Carriers and transfer points are selected according to GDP requirements; after a temperature excursion, the product is quarantined and assessed together with the manufacturer.

Questions about this group

Can you supply a medicine that is not authorised in our country?

Only if the destination country has a legal route for this, for example a special import permit or a named patient programme. These permits are a matter for the buyer and the local authority; we do not ship medicines without a permit.

Which documents can be provided for active pharmaceutical ingredients?

The manufacturer's GMP certificate, lot-specific certificate of analysis, safety data sheet and, where available, CEP or DMF information are requested from the manufacturer. The required pharmacopoeia (such as Ph. Eur. or USP) should be stated in the order.

What happens if there is a temperature excursion in the cold chain?

The product is held in quarantine and not released for use. The data logger output is shared with the manufacturer and the product's status is assessed against the manufacturer's stability data. Insurance cover also comes into play at this stage.

Request a quote for this group

Tell us the product name, model or technical specification, quantity and destination country. If you also list the documents the destination country requires, we will prepare our offer accordingly.

Request a quote