HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8419.20 – Sterilizers; for medical, surgical or laboratory use, not used for domestic purposes
HS code 8419.20 is the 6-digit subheading for sterilizers, for medical, surgical or laboratory use, not used for domestic purposes. It is used for autoclaves (steam sterilizers), dry heat sterilizers, ethylene oxide (EtO) sterilizers, plasma sterilizers and formaldehyde sterilizers.
What HS 8419.20 covers
This HS code encompasses a critical category of equipment essential for maintaining aseptic conditions in healthcare, research, and pharmaceutical industries globally. These sterilizers are designed for professional use, ensuring instruments, media, and supplies are free from microorganisms. The international trade in these devices is robust, driven by hospital expansions, increasing healthcare standards, and growth in biotechnology and pharmaceutical R&D. Key importers are hospitals, clinics, research institutions, and pharmaceutical manufacturers, while exporters are specialized medical equipment manufacturers. Important factors in trade include compliance with international health regulations (e.g., FDA, CE), sterilization efficacy, capacity, and automation features. The market demands high reliability, precision, and traceability for infection control and quality assurance.
- Covers
- Autoclaves (steam sterilizers)
- Dry heat sterilizers
- Ethylene oxide (EtO) sterilizers
- Plasma sterilizers
- Formaldehyde sterilizers
- Laboratory sterilizers
- Surgical instrument sterilizers
- Pharmaceutical sterilizers
- Examples
- Getinge (autoclaves)
- STERIS (steam sterilizers)
- Tuttnauer (benchtop autoclaves)
- Belimed (washer-disinfectors & sterilizers)
- Advanced Sterilization Products (ASP) (plasma sterilizers)
Codes often confused with 8419.20
Common mistake. This code is distinct from domestic sterilizers (e.g., baby bottle sterilizers) which might fall under 851679 or other household appliance codes. It could also be confused with disinfection apparatus not achieving full sterilization, which might be classified elsewhere depending on their specific function.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 841920, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 841920 in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 19% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 18% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Italy $229M 19% of world exports
- 2 China $166M 14% of world exports
- 3 United States $124M 10% of world exports
World total: $1.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $238M 18% of world imports
- 2 Germany $57M 4.3% of world imports
- 3 China $49M 3.7% of world imports
World total: $1.3B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
How these figures are built
109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).
Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.
Brazil NCM code for 8419.20
Brazil does not split HS 8419.20: its NCM code is 8419.20.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 84.19 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 8419.20
What is HS code 841920?
HS code 841920 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Sterilizers; for medical, surgical or laboratory use, not used for domestic purposes. This HS code encompasses a critical category of equipment essential for maintaining aseptic conditions in healthcare, research, and pharmaceutical industries globally. These sterilizers are designed for professional use, ensuring instruments, media, and supplies are free from microorganisms. The international trade in these devices is robust, driven by hospital expansions, increasing healthcare standards, and growth in biotechnology and pharmaceutical R&D. Key importers are hospitals, clinics, research institutions, and pharmaceutical manufacturers, while exporters are specialized medical equipment manufacturers. Important factors in trade include compliance with international health regulations (e.g., FDA, CE), sterilization efficacy, capacity, and automation features. The market demands high reliability, precision, and traceability for infection control and quality assurance.
What products fall under HS code 841920?
Autoclaves (steam sterilizers), Dry heat sterilizers, Ethylene oxide (EtO) sterilizers, Plasma sterilizers, Formaldehyde sterilizers, Laboratory sterilizers, Surgical instrument sterilizers, Pharmaceutical sterilizers
What are common misclassifications for HS code 841920?
This code is distinct from domestic sterilizers (e.g., baby bottle sterilizers) which might fall under 851679 or other household appliance codes. It could also be confused with disinfection apparatus not achieving full sterilization, which might be classified elsewhere depending on their specific function.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 841920?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 841920 in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($229M, 19% of world exports), China ($166M) and the United States ($124M). World exports came to about $1.2B, 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.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 841920?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 841920 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($238M, 18% of world imports), Germany ($57M) and China ($49M). World imports came to about $1.3B, 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.
How is HS code 841920 structured?
HS code 841920 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (84) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (19) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (20) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 841920?
In Brazil, HS code 841920 is NCM 8419.20.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.