HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 9004.90 – Spectacles, goggles and the like; (other than sunglasses) corrective, protective or other
HS code 9004.90 is the 6-digit subheading for spectacles, goggles and the like, (other than sunglasses) corrective, protective or other. It is used for prescription eyeglasses, industrial safety goggles, swimming goggles, ski goggles and welding goggles.
What HS 9004.90 covers
This HS code covers all other types of spectacles, goggles, and similar eyewear, excluding sunglasses. This broad category includes corrective spectacles (prescription glasses), safety goggles for industrial or laboratory use, swimming goggles, ski goggles, and other specialized protective eyewear. Importers are diverse, ranging from optical retailers and medical suppliers to industrial safety distributors and sports equipment companies. Exporters include specialized eyewear manufacturers and optical laboratories. Key trade considerations involve corrective lens power, impact resistance, anti-fog properties, specific certifications for safety (e.g., ANSI Z87.1, EN 166), comfort, and durability for their intended application. This category addresses essential vision correction and protection needs across various sectors, making it a critical component of public health and safety infrastructure globally.
- Covers
- Prescription eyeglasses
- Industrial safety goggles
- Swimming goggles
- Ski goggles
- Welding goggles
- Laboratory safety glasses
- Reading glasses
- Computer glasses
- Examples
- Warby Parker prescription glasses
- 3M Virtua safety glasses
- Speedo Vanquisher swimming goggles
- Oakley Line Miner ski goggles
- Zenni Optical reading glasses
Codes often confused with 9004.90
Common mistake. This code is often confused with sunglasses (9004.10) or separate spectacle frames (9003.xx) or lenses (9001.xx). The key is that these are complete eyewear items for correction, protection, or other uses, but not primarily for sun protection.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 900490, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 900490 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 39% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 22% 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 China $1.8B 39% of world exports
- 2 Taiwan* ~$432M 9.4% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Mexico $317M 6.9% of world exports
World total: $4.6B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $879M 22% of world imports
- 2 Germany $425M 10% of world imports
- 3 Hong Kong $284M 7.0% of world imports
World total: $4.1B 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 9004.90 3
Brazil splits HS 9004.90 into 3 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 9004.90.10 Corrective spectaclesÓculos para correção
- 9004.90.20 Safety glassesÓculos de segurança
- 9004.90.90 Other spectacles and gogglesOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 90.04 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 9004.90
What is HS code 900490?
HS code 900490 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Spectacles, goggles and the like; (other than sunglasses) corrective, protective or other. This HS code covers all other types of spectacles, goggles, and similar eyewear, excluding sunglasses. This broad category includes corrective spectacles (prescription glasses), safety goggles for industrial or laboratory use, swimming goggles, ski goggles, and other specialized protective eyewear. Importers are diverse, ranging from optical retailers and medical suppliers to industrial safety distributors and sports equipment companies. Exporters include specialized eyewear manufacturers and optical laboratories. Key trade considerations involve corrective lens power, impact resistance, anti-fog properties, specific certifications for safety (e.g., ANSI Z87.1, EN 166), comfort, and durability for their intended application. This category addresses essential vision correction and protection needs across various sectors, making it a critical component of public health and safety infrastructure globally.
What products fall under HS code 900490?
Prescription eyeglasses, Industrial safety goggles, Swimming goggles, Ski goggles, Welding goggles, Laboratory safety glasses, Reading glasses, Computer glasses
What are common misclassifications for HS code 900490?
This code is often confused with sunglasses (9004.10) or separate spectacle frames (9003.xx) or lenses (9001.xx). The key is that these are complete eyewear items for correction, protection, or other uses, but not primarily for sun protection.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 900490?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 900490 in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.8B, 39% of world exports), Taiwan (about $432M) and Mexico ($317M). World exports came to about $4.6B, 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 900490?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 900490 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($879M, 22% of world imports), Germany ($425M) and Hong Kong ($284M). World imports came to about $4.1B, 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 900490 structured?
HS code 900490 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (90) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (04) 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 900490?
Brazil splits HS code 900490 into 3 NCM codes: 9004.90.10 (Corrective spectacles), 9004.90.20 (Safety glasses), 9004.90.90 (Other spectacles and goggles). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.