HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 9018.32 – Medical, surgical instruments and appliances; tubular metal needles and needles for sutures
HS code 9018.32 is the 6-digit subheading for medical, surgical instruments and appliances, tubular metal needles and needles for sutures. It is used for hypodermic needles, blood collection needles, biopsy needles, spinal needles and suture needles.
What HS 9018.32 covers
This HS code covers tubular metal needles and needles for sutures, essential components in a wide array of medical and surgical procedures. These products are critical for injections, blood collection, biopsies, and closing wounds. The trade is characterized by high volume, strict quality control, and the need for absolute sterility. Key players include specialized needle manufacturers, medical device distributors, hospitals, and surgical centers. Factors influencing trade include advancements in needle design (e.g., ultra-fine gauges, specialized tips), safety features to prevent accidental punctures, and the global demand for surgical and diagnostic interventions. The precision and material quality of these needles are paramount for patient safety and procedural efficacy, making them a vital, though often overlooked, segment of medical trade.
- Covers
- Hypodermic needles
- Blood collection needles
- Biopsy needles
- Spinal needles
- Suture needles
- Dental needles
- Pen needles
- Examples
- BD Eclipse Needles
- Terumo SurGuard3 Needles
- B. Braun Sterican Needles
- Nipro Hypodermic Needles
- Ethicon Suture Needles
Codes often confused with 9018.32
Common mistake. This code is often confused with syringes with or without needles (901831), but 901832 specifically refers to the needles themselves, not the syringe body.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 901832, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 901832 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 14% 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 United States $580M 14% of world exports
- 2 Mexico $566M 14% of world exports
- 3 China $404M 9.6% of world exports
World total: $4.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $723M 17% of world imports
- 2 China $633M 15% of world imports
- 3 Mexico $327M 7.8% of world imports
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 codes for 9018.32 5
Brazil splits HS 9018.32 into 5 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 9018.32.1 Tubular metal needlesTubulares de metal Group
- 9018.32.11 Gingival tubular metal needlesGengivais
- 9018.32.12 Blood bag needles, 1.6 mm diameter or moreDe aço cromo-níquel, bisel trifacetado e diâmetro exterior igual ou superior a 1,6 mm, do tipo utilizado com bolsas de sangue
- 9018.32.13 Pencil-point epidural or spinal needlesAgulhas ponta de lápis, do tipo utilizado em anestesia epidural ou raquidiana
- 9018.32.19 Other tubular metal needlesOutras
- 9018.32.20 Suture needlesPara suturas
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 90.18 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 9018.32
What is HS code 901832?
HS code 901832 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Medical, surgical instruments and appliances; tubular metal needles and needles for sutures. This HS code covers tubular metal needles and needles for sutures, essential components in a wide array of medical and surgical procedures. These products are critical for injections, blood collection, biopsies, and closing wounds. The trade is characterized by high volume, strict quality control, and the need for absolute sterility. Key players include specialized needle manufacturers, medical device distributors, hospitals, and surgical centers. Factors influencing trade include advancements in needle design (e.g., ultra-fine gauges, specialized tips), safety features to prevent accidental punctures, and the global demand for surgical and diagnostic interventions. The precision and material quality of these needles are paramount for patient safety and procedural efficacy, making them a vital, though often overlooked, segment of medical trade.
What products fall under HS code 901832?
Hypodermic needles, Blood collection needles, Biopsy needles, Spinal needles, Suture needles, Dental needles, Pen needles
What are common misclassifications for HS code 901832?
This code is often confused with syringes with or without needles (901831), but 901832 specifically refers to the needles themselves, not the syringe body.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 901832?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 901832 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($580M, 14% of world exports), Mexico ($566M) and China ($404M). World exports 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.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 901832?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 901832 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($723M, 17% of world imports), China ($633M) and Mexico ($327M). 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 901832 structured?
HS code 901832 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (90) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (18) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (32) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 901832?
Brazil splits HS code 901832 into 5 NCM codes: 9018.32.11 (Gingival tubular metal needles), 9018.32.12 (Blood bag needles, 1.6 mm diameter or more), 9018.32.13 (Pencil-point epidural or spinal needles), 9018.32.19 (Other tubular metal needles), 9018.32.20 (Suture needles). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.