HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 9018.90 – Medical, surgical or dental instruments and appliances; n.e.c. in heading no. 9018

HS code 9018.90 is the 6-digit subheading for medical, surgical or dental instruments and appliances, n.e.c. in heading no. 9018. It is used for surgical scalpels, retractors, forceps (general surgical), scissors (medical) and bone saws.

What HS 9018.90 covers

This 'basket' HS code covers medical, surgical, or dental instruments and appliances not elsewhere specified in heading 9018. It serves as a catch-all for a vast array of diverse tools that don't fit into more specific categories, ranging from general surgical tools to specialized diagnostic aids. The trade involves a broad spectrum of manufacturers, general medical suppliers, hospitals, clinics, and research facilities. Key considerations include the diverse applications, varying levels of technological sophistication, and the need for general regulatory compliance. This code reflects the fragmented nature of the medical device market for less specialized or unique instruments, highlighting the continuous innovation and development of new tools that don't neatly fit into existing classifications.

Covers
  • Surgical scalpels
  • Retractors
  • Forceps (general surgical)
  • Scissors (medical)
  • Bone saws
  • Speculums
  • Stethoscopes
  • Tourniquets
  • Tongue depressors
Examples
  • Sklar Instruments Retractors
  • Miltex Surgical Scissors
  • Littmann Stethoscopes
  • Welch Allyn Diagnostic Sets
  • B. Braun Aesculap Scalpels

Codes often confused with 9018.90

Common mistake. Misclassification is common with this code, as items that should be in more specific 9018 sub-headings (e.g., 901839 for catheters) or even other chapters are sometimes incorrectly placed here.

90.18Instruments and appliances used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences, including scintigraphic apparatus, other electro-medical apparatus and sight testing instruments9018.39Medical, surgical instruments and appliances; catheters, cannulae and the like

Top exporters and importers of HS code 901890, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 901890 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 22% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 26% 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 $18.6B
  2. 2 Germany $9.5B
  3. 3 Mexico $7.8B

World total: $82.6B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $22.3B
  2. 2 Germany $5.6B
  3. 3 China $5.6B

World total: $85.2B 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 9018.90 16

Brazil splits HS 9018.90 into 16 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.

  1. 9018.90.10 Blood transfusion or IV infusion apparatusPara transfusão de sangue ou infusão intravenosa
  2. 9018.90.2 ScalpelsBisturis Group
  3. 9018.90.21 Electric scalpelsElétricos
  4. 9018.90.29 Other scalpelsOutros
  5. 9018.90.3 Lithotomes and lithotriptersLitótomos e litotritores Group
  6. 9018.90.31 Shock wave lithotriptersLitotritores por onda de choque
  7. 9018.90.39 Other lithotomes and lithotriptersOutros
  8. 9018.90.40 Artificial kidneysRins artificiais
  9. 9018.90.50 Diathermy apparatusAparelhos de diatermia
  10. 9018.90.6 Apparatus for measuring blood pressureAparelhos para medida da pressão arterial Group
  11. 9018.90.61 Blood pressure apparatus containing mercuryQue contenham mercúrio
  12. 9018.90.69 Other blood pressure measuring apparatusOutros
  13. 9018.90.9 OtherOutros Group
  14. 9018.90.91 Baby incubatorsIncubadoras para bebês
  15. 9018.90.93 Microwave prostate therapy apparatus (TUMT)Aparelhos para terapia intra-uretral por micro-ondas (TUMT), próprios para o tratamento de afecções prostáticas, computadorizados
  16. 9018.90.94 Endoscopes, other than electro-diagnosticEndoscópios
  17. 9018.90.95 Medical staples and clips, applicators, extractorsGrampos e clipes, seus aplicadores e extratores
  18. 9018.90.96 Automatic external defibrillators (AED)Desfibriladores externos que operem unicamente em modo automático (AED - Automatic External Defibrillator)
  19. 9018.90.97 Robot-assisted surgery apparatusAparelhos destinados a procedimentos cirúrgicos assistidos por robótica
  20. 9018.90.99 Other medical, surgical or veterinary instrumentsOutros

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 9018.90

What is HS code 901890?

HS code 901890 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Medical, surgical or dental instruments and appliances; n.e.c. in heading no. 9018. This 'basket' HS code covers medical, surgical, or dental instruments and appliances not elsewhere specified in heading 9018. It serves as a catch-all for a vast array of diverse tools that don't fit into more specific categories, ranging from general surgical tools to specialized diagnostic aids. The trade involves a broad spectrum of manufacturers, general medical suppliers, hospitals, clinics, and research facilities. Key considerations include the diverse applications, varying levels of technological sophistication, and the need for general regulatory compliance. This code reflects the fragmented nature of the medical device market for less specialized or unique instruments, highlighting the continuous innovation and development of new tools that don't neatly fit into existing classifications.

What products fall under HS code 901890?

Surgical scalpels, Retractors, Forceps (general surgical), Scissors (medical), Bone saws, Speculums, Stethoscopes, Tourniquets, Tongue depressors

What are common misclassifications for HS code 901890?

Misclassification is common with this code, as items that should be in more specific 9018 sub-headings (e.g., 901839 for catheters) or even other chapters are sometimes incorrectly placed here.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 901890?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 901890 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($18.6B, 22% of world exports), Germany ($9.5B) and Mexico ($7.8B). World exports came to about $82.6B, 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 901890?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 901890 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($22.3B, 26% of world imports), Germany ($5.6B) and China ($5.6B). World imports came to about $85.2B, 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 901890 structured?

HS code 901890 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 (90) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 901890?

Brazil splits HS code 901890 into 16 NCM codes: 9018.90.10 (Blood transfusion or IV infusion apparatus), 9018.90.21 (Electric scalpels), 9018.90.29 (Other scalpels), 9018.90.31 (Shock wave lithotripters), 9018.90.39 (Other lithotomes and lithotripters), 9018.90.40 (Artificial kidneys), 9018.90.50 (Diathermy apparatus), 9018.90.61 (Blood pressure apparatus containing mercury), and more listed on this page. The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.