HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 9010.50 – Photographic laboratory apparatus and equipment; n.e.c. in item no. 9010.10, for photographic (including cinematographic) laboratories; negatoscopes
HS code 9010.50 is the 6-digit subheading for photographic laboratory apparatus and equipment, n.e.c. in item no. 9010.10, for photographic (including cinematographic) laboratories, negatoscopes. It is used for negatoscopes, film splicers, print washers, film dryers and darkroom timers.
What HS 9010.50 covers
This category encompasses a range of specialized apparatus and equipment used in photographic and cinematographic laboratories, excluding those specifically classified elsewhere in 9010.10 (like automatic developing machines). It includes essential tools for processing, inspecting, and preparing photographic materials, such as negatoscopes for viewing negatives, film splicers, and various darkroom equipment. While the advent of digital photography has significantly reduced the demand for some traditional darkroom equipment, there remains a robust niche market. This market caters to film enthusiasts, professional archivists, and specialized industrial or medical imaging applications that still rely on film-based processes. Key importers and exporters are countries with strong manufacturing capabilities in precision optical and electronic equipment, as well as those with significant film production, archival industries, or specialized scientific research needs.
- Covers
- Negatoscopes
- Film splicers
- Print washers
- Film dryers
- Darkroom timers
- Chemical mixing tanks
- Contact printers
- Film rewinders
- Examples
- Kaiser Fototechnik negatoscope
- Jobo film processor (manual)
- Paterson darkroom equipment
- Kodak film splicer
- FujiFilm film dryer
Codes often confused with 9010.50
Common mistake. This code is for "other" photographic lab equipment, so it's crucial not to confuse it with 901010 (automatic developing machines) or 901060 (projection screens), which are more specific.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 901050, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 901050 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 30% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 38% 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 $91M 30% of world exports
- 2 Japan $82M 27% of world exports
- 3 Taiwan* ~$30M 9.7% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $307M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $113M 38% of world imports
- 2 Thailand $35M 12% of world imports
- 3 Taiwan* ~$30M 10.0% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $300M 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 9010.50 3
Brazil splits HS 9010.50 into 3 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 9010.50.10 Electronic photo image processorsProcessadores fotográficos para o tratamento eletrônico de imagens, mesmo com saída digital
- 9010.50.20 Automatic photopolymer plate developersAparelhos para revelação automática de chapas de fotopolímeros com suporte metálico
- 9010.50.90 Other photo lab equipment; negatoscopesOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 90.10 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 9010.50
What is HS code 901050?
HS code 901050 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Photographic laboratory apparatus and equipment; n.e.c. in item no. 9010.10, for photographic (including cinematographic) laboratories; negatoscopes. This category encompasses a range of specialized apparatus and equipment used in photographic and cinematographic laboratories, excluding those specifically classified elsewhere in 9010.10 (like automatic developing machines). It includes essential tools for processing, inspecting, and preparing photographic materials, such as negatoscopes for viewing negatives, film splicers, and various darkroom equipment. While the advent of digital photography has significantly reduced the demand for some traditional darkroom equipment, there remains a robust niche market. This market caters to film enthusiasts, professional archivists, and specialized industrial or medical imaging applications that still rely on film-based processes. Key importers and exporters are countries with strong manufacturing capabilities in precision optical and electronic equipment, as well as those with significant film production, archival industries, or specialized scientific research needs.
What products fall under HS code 901050?
Negatoscopes, film splicers, print washers, film dryers, darkroom timers, chemical mixing tanks, contact printers, film rewinders
What are common misclassifications for HS code 901050?
This code is for "other" photographic lab equipment, so it's crucial not to confuse it with 901010 (automatic developing machines) or 901060 (projection screens), which are more specific.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 901050?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 901050 in UN Comtrade data were China ($91M, 30% of world exports), Japan ($82M) and Taiwan (about $30M). World exports came to about $307M, 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 901050?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 901050 in UN Comtrade data were China ($113M, 38% of world imports), Thailand ($35M) and Taiwan (about $30M). World imports came to about $300M, 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 901050 structured?
HS code 901050 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (90) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (10) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (50) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 901050?
Brazil splits HS code 901050 into 3 NCM codes: 9010.50.10 (Electronic photo image processors), 9010.50.20 (Automatic photopolymer plate developers), 9010.50.90 (Other photo lab equipment; negatoscopes). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.