HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 9002.90 – Optical 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)
HS code 9002.90 is the 6-digit subheading for optical 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). It is used for mounted right-angle prisms, mounted dielectric mirrors, mounted beam splitters, mounted diffraction gratings and mounted retroreflectors.
What HS 9002.90 covers
This HS code covers other mounted optical elements not specifically classified as lenses (9002.1x) or filters (9002.20), serving as parts or fittings for instruments or apparatus. This includes mounted prisms, mirrors, beam splitters, gratings, and other specialized components. Importers are manufacturers of complex optical systems, such as lasers, interferometers, telescopes, medical imaging devices, and advanced scientific research equipment, where precise light manipulation is critical. Exporters are typically high-precision optical fabrication companies. Key trade considerations include surface flatness, reflectivity, transmission properties, coating specifications, material stability, and the accuracy of the mounting mechanism. These components are integral to directing, splitting, or combining light paths within sophisticated optical setups, representing a niche but high-value segment of the global optics market.
- Covers
- Mounted right-angle prisms
- Mounted dielectric mirrors
- Mounted beam splitters
- Mounted diffraction gratings
- Mounted retroreflectors
- Mounted pellicle mirrors
- Mounted optical wedges
- Mounted corner cube prisms
- Examples
- Thorlabs mounted cube beam splitters
- Newport mounted broadband mirrors
- Edmund Optics mounted diffraction gratings
- Melles Griot mounted retroreflectors
- Optosigma mounted prisms
Codes often confused with 9002.90
Common mistake. This code is often confused with unmounted optical elements (9001.90) or complete optical instruments (e.g., telescopes 9005.80) if the item is not clearly a component. The 'mounted' aspect and its role as a 'part or fitting' are crucial for classification here.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 900290, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 900290 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 19% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 29% of world imports. Taiwan did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 0.4% of its imports here ($1.6M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $1.0B 19% of world exports
- 2 Taiwan* ~$989M 18% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Netherlands $732M 14% of world exports
World total: $5.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $1.5B 29% of world imports
- 2 Netherlands $749M 14% of world imports
- 3 South Korea $511M 9.8% of world imports
Taiwan did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 0.4% of its imports here ($1.6M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.
World total: $5.2B 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 9002.90 2
Brazil splits HS 9002.90 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 9002.90.10 Optomechanical switches for optical networksComutadores (switches) optomecânicos, do tipo utilizado em redes ópticas de transmissão de dados, próprios para montagem por inserção (PTH - Pin Through Hole)
- 9002.90.90 Other mounted optical elementsOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 90.02 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 9002.90
What is HS code 900290?
HS code 900290 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Optical 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). This HS code covers other mounted optical elements not specifically classified as lenses (9002.1x) or filters (9002.20), serving as parts or fittings for instruments or apparatus. This includes mounted prisms, mirrors, beam splitters, gratings, and other specialized components. Importers are manufacturers of complex optical systems, such as lasers, interferometers, telescopes, medical imaging devices, and advanced scientific research equipment, where precise light manipulation is critical. Exporters are typically high-precision optical fabrication companies. Key trade considerations include surface flatness, reflectivity, transmission properties, coating specifications, material stability, and the accuracy of the mounting mechanism. These components are integral to directing, splitting, or combining light paths within sophisticated optical setups, representing a niche but high-value segment of the global optics market.
What products fall under HS code 900290?
Mounted right-angle prisms, Mounted dielectric mirrors, Mounted beam splitters, Mounted diffraction gratings, Mounted retroreflectors, Mounted pellicle mirrors, Mounted optical wedges, Mounted corner cube prisms
What are common misclassifications for HS code 900290?
This code is often confused with unmounted optical elements (9001.90) or complete optical instruments (e.g., telescopes 9005.80) if the item is not clearly a component. The 'mounted' aspect and its role as a 'part or fitting' are crucial for classification here.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 900290?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 900290 in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.0B, 19% of world exports), Taiwan (about $989M) and the Netherlands ($732M). World exports came to about $5.4B, 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.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 900290?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 900290 in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.5B, 29% of world imports), the Netherlands ($749M) and South Korea ($511M). World imports came to about $5.2B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Taiwan did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 0.4% of its imports here ($1.6M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.
How is HS code 900290 structured?
HS code 900290 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (90) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (02) 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 900290?
Brazil splits HS code 900290 into 2 NCM codes: 9002.90.10 (Optomechanical switches for optical networks), 9002.90.90 (Other mounted optical elements). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.