HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 9001.90 – Optical elements; lenses n.e.c. in heading no. 9001, prisms, mirrors and other optical elements, unmounted, of any material (excluding elements of glass not optically worked)

HS code 9001.90 is the 6-digit subheading for optical elements, lenses n.e.c. in heading no. 9001, prisms, mirrors and other optical elements, unmounted, of any material (excluding elements of glass not optically worked). It is used for unmounted spherical lenses, unmounted aspheric lenses, optical prisms, first surface mirrors and beam splitters.

What HS 9001.90 covers

This HS code encompasses unmounted optical elements such as lenses, prisms, mirrors, and other components, made from any material, provided they are not optically unworked glass. These are fundamental building blocks for a vast array of optical instruments and systems. Major importers are manufacturers of high-tech equipment, including cameras, telescopes, microscopes, medical diagnostic devices, laser systems, and scientific research instruments, who integrate these precision components into their final products. Exporters are typically specialized optical fabrication companies with advanced capabilities in grinding, polishing, and coating. Key considerations in international trade for these goods include material purity, surface quality, precise geometric specifications, and specialized coatings (e.g., anti-reflective, dielectric), which significantly impact performance and cost. The global supply chain for these elements often involves highly specialized manufacturers providing components to larger integrators worldwide.

Covers
  • Unmounted spherical lenses
  • Unmounted aspheric lenses
  • Optical prisms
  • First surface mirrors
  • Beam splitters
  • Cylindrical lenses
  • Diffractive optical elements
  • Optical flats
Examples
  • Edmund Optics plano-convex lenses
  • Thorlabs right-angle prisms
  • Schott optical glass blanks
  • Newport dielectric mirrors
  • Melles Griot cylindrical lenses

Codes often confused with 9001.90

Common mistake. This code is often confused with mounted optical elements (9002.90) or raw optical glass in bulk (7006.00). The key distinction is that 9001.90 covers finished, unmounted optical components, not raw material or assembled parts.

9002.90Optical elements; n.e.c. in heading no. 9002 (e.g. prisms and mirrors), mounted, being parts or fittings for instruments or apparatus, of any material (excluding elements of glass not optically worked)7006.00Glass of heading no. 7003, 7004 or 7005; bent, edge-worked, engraved, drilled, enamelled or otherwise worked, but not framed or fitted with other materials

Top exporters and importers of HS code 900190, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 900190 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 34% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 26% 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. 1 China $3.7B
  2. 2 Hong Kong $1.2B
  3. 3 Taiwan* ~$1.2B

World total: $10.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 China $2.8B
  2. 2 Hong Kong $1.1B
  3. 3 Vietnam* ~$1.0B

World total: $10.5B 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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. UN Comtrade records Taiwan as "Other Asia, not elsewhere specified". Saudi Arabia's exports under that code are left out: they are far too large to be trade with Taiwan, so mostly undisclosed partners. 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 codes for 9001.90 2

Brazil splits HS 9001.90 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.

  1. 9001.90.10 Other unmounted lensesLentes
  2. 9001.90.90 Unmounted prisms, mirrors and optical elementsOutros

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 90.01 →

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.

Questions about HS 9001.90

What is HS code 900190?

HS code 900190 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Optical elements; lenses n.e.c. in heading no. 9001, prisms, mirrors and other optical elements, unmounted, of any material (excluding elements of glass not optically worked). This HS code encompasses unmounted optical elements such as lenses, prisms, mirrors, and other components, made from any material, provided they are not optically unworked glass. These are fundamental building blocks for a vast array of optical instruments and systems. Major importers are manufacturers of high-tech equipment, including cameras, telescopes, microscopes, medical diagnostic devices, laser systems, and scientific research instruments, who integrate these precision components into their final products. Exporters are typically specialized optical fabrication companies with advanced capabilities in grinding, polishing, and coating. Key considerations in international trade for these goods include material purity, surface quality, precise geometric specifications, and specialized coatings (e.g., anti-reflective, dielectric), which significantly impact performance and cost. The global supply chain for these elements often involves highly specialized manufacturers providing components to larger integrators worldwide.

What products fall under HS code 900190?

Unmounted spherical lenses, Unmounted aspheric lenses, Optical prisms, First surface mirrors, Beam splitters, Cylindrical lenses, Diffractive optical elements, Optical flats

What are common misclassifications for HS code 900190?

This code is often confused with mounted optical elements (9002.90) or raw optical glass in bulk (7006.00). The key distinction is that 9001.90 covers finished, unmounted optical components, not raw material or assembled parts.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 900190?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 900190 in UN Comtrade data were China ($3.7B, 34% of world exports), Hong Kong ($1.2B) and Taiwan (about $1.2B). World exports came to about $10.9B, 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 900190?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 900190 in UN Comtrade data were China ($2.8B, 26% of world imports), Hong Kong ($1.1B) and Vietnam (about $1.0B). World imports came to about $10.5B, 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.

How is HS code 900190 structured?

HS code 900190 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (90) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (01) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (90) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 900190?

Brazil splits HS code 900190 into 2 NCM codes: 9001.90.10 (Other unmounted lenses), 9001.90.90 (Unmounted prisms, mirrors and optical elements). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.