HS code · 4-digit heading

HS Code 90.18 – Instruments and appliances used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences, including scintigraphic apparatus, other electro-medical apparatus and sight testing instruments

What HS 90.18 covers

Heading 9018 is a cornerstone classification for a vast array of instruments and appliances indispensable in medical, surgical, dental, and veterinary sciences. This heading encompasses everything from basic surgical instruments like scalpels and forceps to highly sophisticated diagnostic imaging equipment such as MRI scanners, CT scanners, and ultrasound machines. It also includes electro-medical apparatus like ECG machines, defibrillators, patient monitors, and specialized sight testing instruments. The scope is broad, covering instruments used for diagnosis, prevention, monitoring, treatment, or alleviation of disease, injury, or disability. This heading is critical for global healthcare, representing a significant portion of medical device trade. Accurate classification under 9018 is vital due to stringent regulatory requirements (e.g., FDA in the US, CE marking in the EU), which impact market access, import duties, and trade compliance. Misclassification can lead to delays, penalties, and even product recalls. Historically, the evolution of medical technology has consistently expanded the types of devices falling under this heading, making it dynamic and complex. As part of Section XVIII, it highlights the advanced precision and specialized application of these instruments, distinguishing them from general-purpose tools and emphasizing their direct role in healthcare delivery.

Covers
  • Surgical scalpels
  • Forceps
  • Hemostats
  • Endoscopes
  • MRI scanners
  • CT scanners
  • Ultrasound machines
  • ECG machines
  • Defibrillators
  • Patient monitors
  • Dental drills
  • Dental chairs (with integrated instruments)
  • Ophthalmoscopes
  • Refractometers
  • Surgical lasers
  • Operating tables (with integrated instruments)
  • Dialysis machines
  • Anesthesia apparatus
  • Blood pressure monitors
  • Pulse oximeters
  • Stethoscopes
  • Syringes (without needles)
  • Laparoscopes
  • Bone saws
  • Medical suction apparatus.
Examples

A U.S.-based medical technology company exports advanced MRI scanners and patient monitoring systems to large hospitals in Germany and Saudi Arabia, leveraging air cargo for high-value, time-sensitive shipments. Concurrently, a Japanese manufacturer ships dental chairs and high-speed dental drills to dental clinics across Southeast Asia, often via container ships through major regional ports. Separately, a European firm imports specialized stainless steel surgical instruments, such as retractors and scissors, from Pakistan for sterilization and distribution to hospitals throughout the EU, typically by sea freight.

Subheadings under 90.18 13

9018.11Medical, surgical instruments and appliances; electro-cardiographs9018.12Medical, surgical instruments and appliances; ultrasonic scanning apparatus9018.13Medical, surgical instruments and appliances; magnetic resonance imaging apparatus9018.14Medical, surgical instruments and appliances; scintigraphic apparatus9018.19Medical, surgical instruments and appliances; electro-diagnostic apparatus (including apparatus for functional exploratory examination or for checking physiological parameters), n.e.c. in item no. 9018.19018.20Medical, surgical instruments and appliances; ultra-violet or infra-red ray apparatus9018.31Medical, surgical instruments and appliances; syringes, with or without needles9018.32Medical, surgical instruments and appliances; tubular metal needles and needles for sutures9018.39Medical, surgical instruments and appliances; catheters, cannulae and the like9018.41Dental instruments and appliances; dental drill engines, whether or not combined on a single base with other dental equipment9018.49Dental instruments and appliances; other than dental drill engines9018.50Ophthalmic instruments and appliances9018.90Medical, surgical or dental instruments and appliances; n.e.c. in heading no. 9018

58 Brazil NCM codes in heading 90.18 →

Codes often confused with 90.18

Common mistake. Common misclassification mistakes include confusing medical instruments (9018) with general laboratory equipment (9027) not specifically designed for human or animal medical diagnosis/treatment, or with medical furniture (9402) that does not integrate instruments. For example, a general-purpose laboratory centrifuge (9027) vs. a centrifuge specifically for blood banking in a hospital (9018). Another error is classifying medical consumables (e.g., sterile dressings 3005, pharmaceuticals 3004) under 9018. Additionally, some therapeutic devices might be confused with 9019, but 9018 focuses more on diagnostic and interventional instruments. The key is the 'used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences' for diagnosis, prevention, monitoring, treatment, or alleviation.

90.27Instruments and apparatus; for physical or chemical analysis (e.g. polarimeters, spectrometers), for measuring or checking viscosity, porosity, etc, for measuring quantities of heat, sound or light94.02Furniture; medical, surgical, dental or veterinary (e.g. operating tables, hospital beds, dentists' chairs) barbers' chairs; parts30.05Wadding, gauze, bandages (dressings, adhesive plasters, poultices), impregnated or coated with pharmaceutical substances or in forms or packings for retail sale, for medical, surgical or veterinary use30.04Medicaments; (not goods of heading no. 3002, 3005 or 3006) consisting of mixed or unmixed products for therapeutic or prophylactic use, put up in measured doses (incl. those in the form of transdermal admin. systems) or packed for retail sale90.19Mechano-therapy, massage appliances; psychological aptitude testing apparatus; ozone, oxygen, aerosol therapy, artificial respiration or other therapeutic respiration apparatus

Top exporters and importers of HS code 9018, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 9018 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 19% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 23% 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 $36.9B
  2. 2 Germany $21.4B
  3. 3 Netherlands $16.7B

World total: $192.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $44.5B
  2. 2 Germany $16.3B
  3. 3 Netherlands $14.6B

World total: $193.9B 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.

Questions about HS 90.18

What is HS code 9018?

HS code 9018 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Instruments and appliances used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences, including scintigraphic apparatus, other electro-medical apparatus and sight testing instruments. Heading 9018 is a cornerstone classification for a vast array of instruments and appliances indispensable in medical, surgical, dental, and veterinary sciences. This heading encompasses everything from basic surgical instruments like scalpels and forceps to highly sophisticated diagnostic imaging equipment such as MRI scanners, CT scanners, and ultrasound machines. It also includes electro-medical apparatus like ECG machines, defibrillators, patient monitors, and specialized sight testing instruments. The scope is broad, covering instruments used for diagnosis, prevention, monitoring, treatment, or alleviation of disease, injury, or disability. This heading is critical for global healthcare, representing a significant portion of medical device trade. Accurate classification under 9018 is vital due to stringent regulatory requirements (e.g., FDA in the US, CE marking in the EU), which impact market access, import duties, and trade compliance. Misclassification can lead to delays, penalties, and even product recalls. Historically, the evolution of medical technology has consistently expanded the types of devices falling under this heading, making it dynamic and complex. As part of Section XVIII, it highlights the advanced precision and specialized application of these instruments, distinguishing them from general-purpose tools and emphasizing their direct role in healthcare delivery.

What products fall under HS code 9018?

Surgical scalpels, forceps, hemostats, endoscopes, MRI scanners, CT scanners, ultrasound machines, ECG machines, defibrillators, patient monitors, dental drills, dental chairs (with integrated instruments), ophthalmoscopes, refractometers, surgical lasers, operating tables (with integrated instruments), dialysis machines, anesthesia apparatus, blood pressure monitors, pulse oximeters, stethoscopes, syringes (without needles), laparoscopes, bone saws, medical suction apparatus.

What are common misclassifications for HS code 9018?

Common misclassification mistakes include confusing medical instruments (9018) with general laboratory equipment (9027) not specifically designed for human or animal medical diagnosis/treatment, or with medical furniture (9402) that does not integrate instruments. For example, a general-purpose laboratory centrifuge (9027) vs. a centrifuge specifically for blood banking in a hospital (9018). Another error is classifying medical consumables (e.g., sterile dressings 3005, pharmaceuticals 3004) under 9018. Additionally, some therapeutic devices might be confused with 9019, but 9018 focuses more on diagnostic and interventional instruments. The key is the 'used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences' for diagnosis, prevention, monitoring, treatment, or alleviation.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 9018?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 9018 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($36.9B, 19% of world exports), Germany ($21.4B) and the Netherlands ($16.7B). World exports came to about $192.5B, 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 9018?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 9018 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($44.5B, 23% of world imports), Germany ($16.3B) and the Netherlands ($14.6B). World imports came to about $193.9B, 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 9018 structured?

HS code 9018 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 90 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (90) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (18) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.