HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 9013.80 – Optical devices, appliances and instruments; n.e.c. in heading no. 9013

HS code 9013.80 is the 6-digit subheading for optical devices, appliances and instruments, n.e.c. in heading no. 9013. It is used for optical comparators, polarizing filters, optical flats, magnifying glasses (non-handheld) and optical benches.

What HS 9013.80 covers

This HS code serves as a residual category for various optical devices, appliances, and instruments not specifically classified elsewhere within heading 9013. It captures a diverse range of items that utilize optical principles but don't fit into the more specific categories like telescopic sights or lasers (excluding diodes). This can include specialized optical filters, polarizing devices, optical comparators, certain types of magnifiers, and other unique optical setups used in industrial inspection, scientific measurement, or specialized consumer applications. Importers and exporters vary widely depending on the specific product, ranging from industrial manufacturers to scientific suppliers and consumer electronics distributors. Key trade considerations often involve precision, optical quality, durability, and integration with other systems. The market for these "other" optical devices is driven by niche applications and continuous innovation in optical engineering, catering to specific needs not met by standard optical instruments.

Covers
  • Optical comparators
  • Polarizing filters
  • Optical flats
  • Magnifying glasses (non-handheld)
  • Optical benches
  • Collimators
  • Optical alignment tools
  • Interferometers (non-astronomical)
Examples
  • Mitutoyo optical comparators
  • Edmund Optics polarizing filters
  • Thorlabs optical benches
  • Nikon optical comparators
  • Zygo interferometers

Codes often confused with 9013.80

Common mistake. This code is a catch-all for optical devices within 9013, ensuring that items not specifically covered by 901310 (sights/periscopes) or 901320 (lasers other than diodes) are correctly classified, avoiding confusion with broader optical instrument categories like 9005 (telescopes) or 9002 (lenses).

90.13Lasers, other than laser diodes; other optical appliances and instruments n.e.c. in this chapter9013.10Optical appliances and instruments; telescopic sights for fitting to arms; periscopes; telescopes designed to form parts of machines, appliances, instruments or apparatus of this chapter9013.20Lasers; other than laser diodes90.05Binoculars, monoculars, other optical telescopes, mountings therefore; other astronomical instruments, mountings therefore, but not including instruments for radio-astronomy90.02Lenses, prisms, mirrors and other optical elements, of any material, mounted, being parts or fittings for instruments or apparatus, other than such elements of glass not optically worked

Top exporters and importers of HS code 901380, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 901380 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 26% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 34% 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 United States $1.0B
  2. 2 Canada $636M
  3. 3 China $405M

World total: $3.8B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $1.4B
  2. 2 South Korea $396M
  3. 3 Thailand $172M

World total: $4.2B 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 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 9013.80

Brazil does not split HS 9013.80: its NCM code is 9013.80.00.

  1. 9013.80.00 Other optical devices and instrumentsOutros dispositivos, aparelhos e instrumentos

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 90.13 →

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

Questions about HS 9013.80

What is HS code 901380?

HS code 901380 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Optical devices, appliances and instruments; n.e.c. in heading no. 9013. This HS code serves as a residual category for various optical devices, appliances, and instruments not specifically classified elsewhere within heading 9013. It captures a diverse range of items that utilize optical principles but don't fit into the more specific categories like telescopic sights or lasers (excluding diodes). This can include specialized optical filters, polarizing devices, optical comparators, certain types of magnifiers, and other unique optical setups used in industrial inspection, scientific measurement, or specialized consumer applications. Importers and exporters vary widely depending on the specific product, ranging from industrial manufacturers to scientific suppliers and consumer electronics distributors. Key trade considerations often involve precision, optical quality, durability, and integration with other systems. The market for these "other" optical devices is driven by niche applications and continuous innovation in optical engineering, catering to specific needs not met by standard optical instruments.

What products fall under HS code 901380?

Optical comparators, Polarizing filters, Optical flats, Magnifying glasses (non-handheld), Optical benches, Collimators, Optical alignment tools, Interferometers (non-astronomical)

What are common misclassifications for HS code 901380?

This code is a catch-all for optical devices within 9013, ensuring that items not specifically covered by 901310 (sights/periscopes) or 901320 (lasers other than diodes) are correctly classified, avoiding confusion with broader optical instrument categories like 9005 (telescopes) or 9002 (lenses).

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 901380?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 901380 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.0B, 26% of world exports), Canada ($636M) and China ($405M). World exports came to about $3.8B, 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 901380?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 901380 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.4B, 34% of world imports), South Korea ($396M) and Thailand ($172M). World imports came to about $4.2B, 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.

How is HS code 901380 structured?

HS code 901380 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (90) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (13) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (80) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 901380?

In Brazil, HS code 901380 is NCM 9013.80.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.