HS Code:
The category under HS Code 0510 includes ambergris, castoreum, civet, and musk; cantharides; bile, whether or not dried; glands and other animal products used in the preparation of pharmaceutical products, fresh, chilled, frozen, or otherwise provisionally preserved. These products are primarily derived from animals and are used in traditional medicine, perfumery, and pharmaceuticals. Ambergris, for instance, is a rare substance produced by sperm whales and is highly valued in the perfume industry. Musk, obtained from certain species of deer, is also used in fragrances, while civet and castoreum are secretions from specific animals used for similar purposes. Cantharides (Spanish fly) and animal bile are used in traditional medicinal preparations, and various glands are critical for producing hormones and other pharmaceutical compounds.
Total Trade Volume
USD 25.6 million
Data from 2022
Source
UN Comtrade Database
USD 6.2 million
24.2% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 5.1 million
19.9% of total trade of total trade
Stable
USD 3.8 million
14.8% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 2.9 million
11.3% of total trade of total trade
Decreasing
USD 2.1 million
8.2% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
Average Rate
5.2%
Highest Rate
12% (applied by certain developing countries to protect local industries)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements such as EU internal trade or specific WTO exemptions)
Shift towards synthetic alternatives
Reduced demand for natural ambergris and musk due to ethical concerns and regulatory restrictions, driving innovation in synthetic substitutes
2020-2022
Rising demand in niche perfumery
Increased trade volume for high-quality natural products like ambergris in luxury fragrance markets despite high costs
2021-2023
Stricter environmental regulations
Decline in trade from countries with endangered species due to tightened CITES enforcement, affecting supply chains
2019-2022
The Conference of the Parties to CITES adopted stricter guidelines on the trade of musk derived from musk deer, requiring enhanced documentation and traceability.
November 2022
Reduced legal trade volumes from key exporting regions, pushing prices higher and encouraging synthetic musk production.
The European Union introduced a partial ban on imports of specific animal-derived pharmaceutical ingredients unless accompanied by cruelty-free certifications.
March 2023
Increased compliance costs for exporters to the EU, potentially reducing trade volumes from non-compliant countries.
A major fragrance company announced a scalable method for producing synthetic ambergris, mimicking the natural compound's properties at a fraction of the cost.
July 2023
Potential long-term decline in natural ambergris trade as synthetic alternatives gain market acceptance.