HS Code 70.17 – Laboratory, hygienic or pharmaceutical glassware, whether or not graduated or calibrated

HS code 7017 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Laboratory, hygienic or pharmaceutical glassware, whether or not graduated or calibrated. Heading 7017 is dedicated to specialized glassware for laboratory, hygienic, or pharmaceutical purposes, whether or not these items are graduated or calibrated. This heading encompasses a wide array of glass articles designed for scientific research, medical applications, and hygienic practices. The crucial aspect is their intended function and application within these specialized fields, distinguishing them from general-purpose glassware. The scope includes basic containers and measuring instruments used in experiments, chemical analysis, medical procedures, and pharmaceutical production. Key sub-categories include beakers, flasks, test tubes, petri dishes, measuring cylinders, pipettes, burettes, reagent bottles, and certain glass components for medical devices. The inclusion of 'whether or not graduated or calibrated' clarifies that both marked and unmarked versions fall under this heading. This classification is paramount for trade compliance, as it ensures these essential tools for science and healthcare are correctly identified, impacting import duties, regulatory approvals, and quality control standards. Historically, this glassware has been fundamental to the advancement of science and medicine, enabling countless discoveries and innovations. This heading represents a vital functional segment within Chapter 70, which generally covers "Glass and glassware."

Glass beakers, Erlenmeyer flasks, graduated cylinders, test tubes, petri dishes, glass pipettes, glass burettes, reagent bottles, media bottles, watch glasses (laboratory use), glass funnels, glass distillation apparatus components, glass syringes (barrels only), glass culture tubes, desicators (glass), specific gravity bottles, glass filter funnels, Kjeldahl flasks, weighing bottles, volumetric flasks, dropping bottles (laboratory), chromatography columns (glass parts), glass gas washing bottles, centrifuge tubes (glass).

A common misclassification is confusing laboratory glassware with general table or kitchen glassware (7013), which, despite sometimes looking similar, lack the specific design, material quality, and intended application for laboratory, hygienic, or pharmaceutical use. Another error is classifying complex scientific instruments that incorporate glass parts (e.g., complete microscopes, complex medical devices) under 7017; these typically fall under Chapter 90. Similarly, if similar items are made of plastic, they would be classified under Chapter 39 (e.g., 3926), highlighting the importance of material in classification.

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 7017 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($289M, 21% of world exports), the United States ($256M) and China ($144M). World exports came to about $1.4B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 7017 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($235M, 16% of world imports), Germany ($116M) and China ($83M). World imports came to about $1.5B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.

HS code 7017 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 70 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (70) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (17) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.