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WCO updates vaccine classification

[ January 21, 2026   //   ]

The World Customs Organization has published an update to the Harmonized System international goods classification to facilitate visibility of the trade in vaccines

It says that the current nomenclature for vaccines for human use provides insufficient granularity to assess international trade flows and easily implement trade  as they are classified under just two subheadings for human and veterinary medicine. This lack of granularity is also often reflected in national tariff levels.

HS 2028 introduces new headings (30.07 & 30.08) and subheadings for vaccines representing significant current or expected trade volumes and addresses priority diseases where immunization is vital. Vaccines for human medicine will be classified in heading 30.07, subdivided into 38 subheadings (six-digit codes).

WCO aims to ensure consistent and provide policymakers with clearer and more reliable trade data to support the design and implementation of vaccination programmes and emergency plans.

Another subheading was created for Streptococcus vaccines to that are approaching regulatory approval, a rare example of the HS including goods that are not yet being traded.

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