WCO Explanatory Notes reproduced for reference. © World Customs Organization. Verify against official WCO publication.
29.39 Vegetable alkaloids, natural or reproduced by synthesis, and their salts, ethers, esters and other derivatives. - Alkaloids of opium and their derivatives; salts thereof : 2939.19 - - Other 2939.20 2939.30 2939.41 2939.42 2939.43 2939.44 2939.49 - Alkaloids of cinchona and their derivatives; salts thereof - Caffeine and its salts - Ephedrines and their salts : - - Ephedrine and its salts - - Pseudoephedrine (INN) and its salts - - Cathine (INN) and its salts - - Norephedrine and its salts - - Other - Theophylline and aminophylline (theophylline-ethylenediasnine)and their derivatives; salts thereof : - - Penetylline (INN) and its salts 2939.59 - - Other 2939.5 1 - AlkaIoids of rye ergot and their derivatives; salts thereof : - - Ergometrine (INN) and its salts 2939.62 - - Ergotamhe (INN) and its salts 2939.63 - - Lysergic acid and its salts 2939.69 - - Other - Other : 2939.61 2939.91 --Cocaine, ecgonine, levometamfetamine, metadetamine (INN), metamfetarnine racemate; salts, esters and other derivatives thereof 2939.99 - - Other These alkaloids are complex organic bases produced by plants; they have a strong physiological action. Some are obtained by synthesis. They are all more or less polsonous. This heading covers unmixed alkaloids and natural mixtures of alkaloids (e.g., veratrine or the total alkaloids of opium); but deliberate intermixtures or pre arations are excluded. The heading also excludes saps and vegetable extracts, such as dried saps o opium (heading 13.02). ! This heading includes hydrogenated, dehydrogenated, oxygenated and deoxygenated alkaloid derivatives and, in general, any alkaloid derivative the structure of which is to a large extent the same as that of the natural ahloid from which it is obtained. (A) ALKALOIDS OF OPIUM AND THEIR DERIVATIVES; SALTS TREREOF (I) Morphine, present in opium; colourless crystals; a powerful narcotic; very poisonous. (2) Dihydromorphine, desomorphine (INN) (dih drodeox orphine), hydromorphone (INN)(dihydromorphinone) and metopon (INN) (r-rnethyl~ydrornorphinone). (3) Diacetyhnorphiae (heroin), crystalline white powder; used as a sedative in place of codeine and morphine. (4) Eth morphine, crystalline white powder, odourless; used internally as a hypnotic and ana gesic, externally as a local anaesthetic. (5) Codeine methylmorphine, monomethyl ether of morphine). Present in opium together with morp ine. Crystals; used as a sedative in replacement of morphine. (6) Dihydrocodeine (INN), hydrocodone (INN) (dihydrocodeinone), oxycodone (INN) (dihydrohydroxycodeinone). (7) Narceine, secondary alkaloid in opium; crystals; a hypnotic and an analgesic. (8) Noscapine (INN) (narcotine), secondary alkaloid in opium; crystals; less potent than m o r p k e and only slightly toxic. (9) Cotarnine and hydrocotarnine, derived from narcotine. (10) Papaverine, secondary alkaloid in opium; crystals; narcotic and sedative action, but less intense than that of morphine. (1 I) Ethaverine hydrochloride hydrochloride). (INNM)(1-(3,4-diethoxybenzyl)-6,7-diethoxyisoquinoline (12) Thebaine, secondary alkaloid in opium; crystals; odourless; toxic. (13) Concentrates of poppy straw. A natural mixture of alkaloids obtained fiom arts of the pop y plant ( P ~ a v esomnifmm) r by extraction, followed by purification, an containing not ess than 50 h by weight of alkaloids. Y Derivatives of the alkaloids of opium are classified in this heading provided they retain the epoxy-bridged morphine structure, whether or not hydrogenated. (B) ALKALOIDS OF CINCHONA AND THEIR DERIVATIVES; SALTS THEREOF (1) Quinine, present in the bark of various plants of the C ~ ~ C genus,~$icularly ~ O M Cinchona oficinalis, Cinchona calisaya and Cinchona succirubra. Cryst line white powder. Qurnine and its salts have a aral sing effect on the protoplasm of protozoa present in the blood, so they are used as ebri ges (antipyretics) and antimalarials. P .X (2) Quinidine. Contained in the bark of plants of the Cinchona genus. Crystals; may be extracted fi-omthe mother-liquors of quinine sulphate. (3) Cinchonine, ranks second in importance to quinine among the alkaloids contained in Cinchona bark; crystals. (4) Cinchonidine, found in Cinchona bark; crystals. (5) Quinine tannate. (C) CAFFEINE AND ITS SALTS Caffeine, extracted from coffee beans, tea and cola nuts; or obtained by synthesis. Silky crystals; used in medicine. @) EPHEDRINES AND THEIR SALTS (I) Ephedrine, contained in Ephedra vulgaris and also obtained synthetically; colourless crystals; used in medicine. (2) Methylephedrine. (3) Etafedrine (INN). (4) Norephedrine. (5) Pseudoephedrine (INN). (E) THEOPHYLLINE AND AMINOPHYLLINE (THEOPHYLLINE-ETHYLENEDIAMINE)AND THEIR DERJVATIVES; SALTS THEREOF Theophylline, present in tea, but is also obtained synthetically. Crystals, often used as a diuretic, as is also aminophylline (theophylline-ethylenediamine). (F) ALKALOIDS OF RYE ERGOT AND THEIR DERIVATIVES; SALTS THERJZOP d (1) Er ometrine (INN) (9,lO-didehydro-N-[(S)-2-hydrox -1methylethyl -6-methylergoline-8flcar oxamide) (ergonovine). Tetrahedral or fine nee e crystals. Use as an oxytocic and as a recursor in the production of lysergide (INN) (see the list of precursors at the end of ~ R a ~ t 29). e r An important derivative is ergometrine maleate; this is also known as ergonovine maleate. % d (2) Ergotarnine (INN) (12'-hydroxy-2'-methyl-5'a-(phenylmethyl). er otamanr3',6', 18tnone). Used as a vasoconstrictor and as a recursor xn the productron o lysergde (INN) (see the list of precursors at the end of hapter 29). Its principal derivatives include ergotamine succinate and ergotamine tartrate. e ? (3) L& sergic acid (9,l0-didehydro-6-methylergoline-8-carboxy1icacid). Prepared from the a1 ine hydro1 sis of er ot alkaloids. Also roduced from Clavicepspaspali. Crystals are in the form of exagona plates or scales. d e d as a psychomimehc and as a recursor in the production of lysergide (INN) (see list of precursors at the end of Chapter 2 ). K f 6' (4) Other ergot alkaloids, e.g., ergosine, ergocristine, ergocryptine, ergocornine and methylergometrine. (G)NICOTINE AND ITS SALTS Nicotine, alkaloid present in tobacco leaves; can also be obtained by synthesis. Colourless liquid which turns brown when exposed to air; has a cbiuacteristic, penetrating odour. A strong base, toxic, forms crystalline salts; used as a fungicide and insecticide for plants. (H) OTHER VEGETABLE ALKALOIDS AND THEIR DERIVATIVES AND SALTS (I) Arecoline, alkaloid present in betel-nut (areca-nut). (2) Aconitine, one of the most violent poisons known; extracted from the dried roots of Aconitus napellus. Used in medicine as a powerful sedative. (3) Phystifmine (eserine). Occurs in Calabar-beans; colourless crystals which turn reddishye1 ow w en exposed to air; used in medicine. (4) Pilocarpine, principal alkaloid in Pilocarpus jaborandi; colourless mass which turns brown when ex osed to air. Pilocarpine and its salts are used in medicine (to provoke perspiration) an by oculists; also used in the preparation of hair-growing lotions. i (5) Sparteine, alkaloid present in broom; colourless liquid. Sparteine sulphate is used as a heart stimulant. (6) Atro ine, obtained chiefly from Datura stramonium; also obtained synthetically; crystals; ? a vio ent poison which dilates the pupil of the eye. (7) Homatropine, colourless crystals; it has the same chemical and physiological action as atropine. (8) Hlscgmine, the principal alkaloid present in Atropa belladonna and in numerous plants o the yos amus genus. Colourless crystals; highly toxic. Its salts (e.g., the sulphate and hydrobromi e) are used in medicine. (9) Scopolamine (hyoscine), present in many plants of the Datura genus; colourless syrupy Iiquld or colourless crystals. Its salts (e-g., the hydrobromide and the sulphate) are crystalline; used in medicine. (10) Colchicine, found in the plant Colchicum autumnale. Gummy mass, yellow powder, crystals or flakes; used in medicine; very toxic. (1 1) Veratrine, a naturaI mixture of alkaloids extracted from sabadilla seeds; amorphous white powder; hygroscopic, irritant and highly stemutatory; toxic; used in medicine. (12) Cevadine, corresponds to crystallised veratrine. (13) Cocaine, crystals; extracted fiom the leaves of several varieties of coca, especially ElythruxyIum coca; also obtained synthetically. The crude cocaine on the market is never ure, but contains from 80 % to 94 % of cocaine; in that form, it remains classified here. !he a ueous solution of cocaine gives an alkaline reaction; it form numerous salts; a powe I anaesthetic. A (14) Emetine, present in the roots of Uragoga ipecacuanha. Amorphous white powder which turns yellow when exposed to light; used as an expectorant and as an emetic; its salts are used against amoebean dysentery. (15) Strychnine, extracted fiom various plants of the Strychnos enus ( n u vomica, St. Ignatius' beans). Silky crystals; a violent poison. Forms crystalline sa ts, used in medicine. f (16) Theobromine, extracted from cocoa and also obtained synthetically. Crystalline white powder, used in medicine as a diuretic and heart stimulant. (17) Piperine, extracted from the Piper nigrurn; crystals. (18) Coniine, resent in the coniurn (hemlock), and aIso obtained synthetically. Colourless oily liquid witR a penetrating odour; violent poison; used in medicine. (19) Curarine, extracted fiom curare; used in medicine. (20) Porphyrine (alkaloid). (2 1) Tomatine. (22) Alkaloid tannates (chelidonine tannate, colchicine tannate, pelletierine tannate, etc.). (23) Hydrastine. (24) Hydrastinine. (25) Hydrohydrastinine. (26) Oxohydrastinine. (27) Tropine (tropan-3-01). (28) Tropinone. (29) Cephaeline. h y (30) Metamfetarnine (methmphetamine, N-methylamphetamine, deoxyephedrine, 2-methylamino-1-p eny propane). Certain substances of .this heading, which are regarded as narcotic drugs or as psychotropic substances under international instruments, are indicated in the list appearing at the end of Chapter 29. Sub-chapter XI11 OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
1.- Except where the context otherwise requires, the headings of this Chapter apply only to : (a) Separate chemically defined organic compounds, whether or not containing impurities; (b) Mixtures of two or more isomers of the same organic compound (whether or not containing impurities), except mixtures of acyclic hydrocarbon isomers (other than stereoisomers), whether or not saturated (Chapter 27); (c) The products of headings 29.36 to 29.39 or the sugar ethers, sugar acetals and sugar esters, and their salts, of heading 29.40, or the products of heading 29.41, whether or not chemically defined; (d) The products mentioned in (a), (b) or (c) above dissolved in water; (e) The products mentioned in (a), (b) or (c) above dissolved in other solvents provided that the solution constitutes a normal and necessary method of putting up these products adopted solely for reasons of safety or for transport and that the solvent does not render the product particularly suitable for specific use rather than for general use; (f) The products mentioned in (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) above with an added stabiliser (including an anti- caking agent) necessary for their preservation or transport; (g) The products mentioned in (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f) above with an added anti-dusting agent or a colouring or odoriferous substance or an emetic added to facilitate their identification or for safety reasons, provided that the additions do not render the product particularly suitable for specific use rather than for general use; (h) The following products, diluted to standard strengths, for the production of azo dyes : diazonium salts, couplers used for these salts and diazotisable amines and their salts. 2.- This Chapter does not cover : (a) Goods of heading 15.04 or crude glycerol of heading 15.20; (b) Ethyl alcohol (heading 22.07 or 22.08); (c) Methane or propane (heading 27.11); (d) The compounds of carbon mentioned in Note 2 to Chapter 28; (e) Immunological products of heading 30.02; (f) Urea (heading 31.02 or 31.05); (g) Colouring matter of vegetable or animal origin (heading 32.03), synthetic organic colouring matter, synthetic organic products of a kind used as fluorescent brightening agents or as luminophores (heading 32.04) or dyes or other colouring matter put up in forms or packings for retail sale (heading 32.12); (h) Enzymes (heading 35.07); (ij) Metaldehyde, hexamethylenetetramine or similar substances, put up in forms (for example, tablets, sticks or similar forms) for use as fuels, or liquid or liquefied-gas fuels in containers of a kind used for filling or refilling cigarette or similar lighters and of a capacity not exceeding 300 cm3 (heading 36.06); (k) Products put up as charges for fire-extinguishers or put up in fire-extinguishing grenades, of heading 38.13; ink removers put up in packings for retail sale, of heading 38.24; or (l) Optical elements, for example, of ethylenediamine tartrate (heading 90.01). 3.- Goods which could be included in two or more of the headings of this Chapter are to be classified in that one of those headings which occurs last in numerical order. 4.- In headings 29.04 to 29.06, 29.08 to 29.11 and 29.13 to 29.20, any reference to halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives includes a reference to compound derivatives, such as sulphohalogenated, nitrohalogenated, nitrosulphonated or nitrosulphohalogenated derivatives. Nitro or nitroso groups are not to be taken as “nitrogen-functions” for the purposes of heading 29.29. For the purposes of headings 29.11, 29.12, 29.14, 29.18 and 29.22, “oxygen function”, the characteristic organic oxygen-containing group of those respective headings, is restricted to the oxygen-functions referred to in headings 29.05 to 29.20.