HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 9016.00 – Balances; of a sensitivity of 5cg or better, with or without weights
HS code 9016.00 is the 6-digit subheading for balances, of a sensitivity of 5cg or better, with or without weights. It is used for analytical balances, precision balances, microbalances, semi-micro balances and laboratory scales.
What HS 9016.00 covers
This HS code covers high-precision balances, essential tools for laboratories, research facilities, and industries requiring extremely accurate weight measurements. These balances, sensitive to 5 centigrams (0.05 grams) or better, are fundamental in fields such as pharmaceuticals, chemistry, material science, and quality control, where even minute variations in mass can have significant implications. Key players in this trade include specialized manufacturers of laboratory equipment, scientific instrument distributors, and end-users like pharmaceutical companies, universities, and government research institutions. The global market for these balances is driven by advancements in scientific research, stringent quality control standards in manufacturing, and the expansion of healthcare and biotech sectors. Considerations for trade include calibration standards, regulatory compliance (e.g., for pharmaceutical use), and the need for robust, reliable instruments that can withstand demanding laboratory environments.
- Covers
- Analytical balances
- Precision balances
- Microbalances
- Semi-micro balances
- Laboratory scales
- Moisture analyzers (with high sensitivity)
- Calibration weights for balances
- Examples
- Mettler Toledo XPR Analytical Balance
- Sartorius Cubis MSA Microbalance
- Ohaus Explorer Precision Balance
- A&D Weighing HR-250A
- Shimadzu AUW220D
Codes often confused with 9016.00
Common mistake. This code can be confused with 842381 (other weighing machinery, max capacity <= 30kg) for less sensitive laboratory scales, or 842310 (personal weighing machines) for consumer-grade scales.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 901600, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 901600 in UN Comtrade data was Switzerland, with 23% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 17% 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 Switzerland $131M 23% of world exports
- 2 Netherlands $109M 19% of world exports
- 3 Germany $99M 18% of world exports
World total: $566M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $91M 17% of world imports
- 2 China $45M 8.6% of world imports
- 3 Germany $41M 7.7% of world imports
World total: $526M 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 codes for 9016.00 2
Brazil splits HS 9016.00 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 9016.00.10 Analytical balances, sensitivity 0.2 mg or betterSensíveis a pesos não superiores a 0,2 mg
- 9016.00.90 Balances with sensitivity over 0.2 mg up to 5 cgOutras
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 90.16 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 9016.00
What is HS code 901600?
HS code 901600 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Balances; of a sensitivity of 5cg or better, with or without weights. This HS code covers high-precision balances, essential tools for laboratories, research facilities, and industries requiring extremely accurate weight measurements. These balances, sensitive to 5 centigrams (0.05 grams) or better, are fundamental in fields such as pharmaceuticals, chemistry, material science, and quality control, where even minute variations in mass can have significant implications. Key players in this trade include specialized manufacturers of laboratory equipment, scientific instrument distributors, and end-users like pharmaceutical companies, universities, and government research institutions. The global market for these balances is driven by advancements in scientific research, stringent quality control standards in manufacturing, and the expansion of healthcare and biotech sectors. Considerations for trade include calibration standards, regulatory compliance (e.g., for pharmaceutical use), and the need for robust, reliable instruments that can withstand demanding laboratory environments.
What products fall under HS code 901600?
Analytical balances, Precision balances, Microbalances, Semi-micro balances, Laboratory scales, Moisture analyzers (with high sensitivity), Calibration weights for balances
What are common misclassifications for HS code 901600?
This code can be confused with 842381 (other weighing machinery, max capacity <= 30kg) for less sensitive laboratory scales, or 842310 (personal weighing machines) for consumer-grade scales.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 901600?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 901600 in UN Comtrade data were Switzerland ($131M, 23% of world exports), the Netherlands ($109M) and Germany ($99M). World exports came to about $566M, 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 901600?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 901600 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($91M, 17% of world imports), China ($45M) and Germany ($41M). World imports came to about $526M, 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 901600 structured?
HS code 901600 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (90) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (16) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (00) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 901600?
Brazil splits HS code 901600 into 2 NCM codes: 9016.00.10 (Analytical balances, sensitivity 0.2 mg or better), 9016.00.90 (Balances with sensitivity over 0.2 mg up to 5 cg). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.