HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 9027.20 – Chromatographs and electrophoresis instruments

HS code 9027.20 is the 6-digit subheading for chromatographs and electrophoresis instruments. It is used for gas chromatographs (GC), high-performance liquid chromatographs (HPLC), capillary electrophoresis systems, gel electrophoresis units and ion chromatographs (IC).

What HS 9027.20 covers

This HS code covers chromatographs and electrophoresis instruments, which are sophisticated analytical tools essential for separating and identifying components within complex mixtures. Chromatographs, such as Gas Chromatography (GC) and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), along with electrophoresis instruments, are fundamental in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, environmental testing, and forensic science. They enable precise analysis of drug purity, protein separation, DNA sequencing, and contaminant detection. Major importers are research institutions, pharmaceutical companies, clinical laboratories, and food safety agencies. Exporters are specialized manufacturers of high-tech analytical equipment. Key considerations in trade include resolution, sensitivity, automation capabilities, and compliance with regulatory standards for analytical validation.

Covers
  • Gas chromatographs (GC)
  • High-performance liquid chromatographs (HPLC)
  • Capillary electrophoresis systems
  • Gel electrophoresis units
  • Ion chromatographs (IC)
  • Thin-layer chromatographs (TLC)
  • Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) systems
Examples
  • Agilent 1260 Infinity II HPLC
  • Waters ACQUITY UPLC
  • Thermo Scientific Vanquish UHPLC
  • Bio-Rad Mini-PROTEAN Tetra Cell
  • Shimadzu GC-2030

Codes often confused with 9027.20

Common mistake. Can be confused with mass spectrometers (9027.81) when part of a combined system (e.g., GC-MS, LC-MS), or general lab equipment (9027.89) if not specifically a chromatograph or electrophoresis unit.

9027.81Instruments and apparatus; for physical or chemical analysis, for measuring or checking viscosity, porosity, expansion, surface tension or quantities of heat, sound or light, mass spectrometers9027.89Instruments and apparatus; for physical or chemical analysis, for measuring or checking viscosity, porosity, expansion, surface tension or quantities of heat, sound or light, exposure meters

Top exporters and importers of HS code 902720, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 902720 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 17% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, 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 $458M
  2. 2 Singapore $426M
  3. 3 Germany $295M

World total: $2.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 China $740M
  2. 2 India $324M
  3. 3 United States $235M

World total: $3.2B 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 9027.20 5

Brazil splits HS 9027.20 into 5 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.

  1. 9027.20.1 ChromatographsCromatógrafos Group
  2. 9027.20.11 Gas chromatographsDe fase gasosa
  3. 9027.20.12 Liquid chromatographsDe fase líquida
  4. 9027.20.19 Other chromatographsOutros
  5. 9027.20.2 Electrophoresis apparatusAparelhos de eletroforese Group
  6. 9027.20.21 Capillary electrophoresis DNA sequencersSequenciadores automáticos de ADN mediante eletroforese capilar
  7. 9027.20.29 Other electrophoresis apparatusOutros

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 90.27 →

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

Questions about HS 9027.20

What is HS code 902720?

HS code 902720 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Chromatographs and electrophoresis instruments. This HS code covers chromatographs and electrophoresis instruments, which are sophisticated analytical tools essential for separating and identifying components within complex mixtures. Chromatographs, such as Gas Chromatography (GC) and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), along with electrophoresis instruments, are fundamental in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, environmental testing, and forensic science. They enable precise analysis of drug purity, protein separation, DNA sequencing, and contaminant detection. Major importers are research institutions, pharmaceutical companies, clinical laboratories, and food safety agencies. Exporters are specialized manufacturers of high-tech analytical equipment. Key considerations in trade include resolution, sensitivity, automation capabilities, and compliance with regulatory standards for analytical validation.

What products fall under HS code 902720?

Gas chromatographs (GC), High-performance liquid chromatographs (HPLC), Capillary electrophoresis systems, Gel electrophoresis units, Ion chromatographs (IC), Thin-layer chromatographs (TLC), Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) systems

What are common misclassifications for HS code 902720?

Can be confused with mass spectrometers (9027.81) when part of a combined system (e.g., GC-MS, LC-MS), or general lab equipment (9027.89) if not specifically a chromatograph or electrophoresis unit.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 902720?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 902720 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($458M, 17% of world exports), Singapore ($426M) and Germany ($295M). World exports came to about $2.7B, 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 902720?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 902720 in UN Comtrade data were China ($740M, 23% of world imports), India ($324M) and the United States ($235M). World imports came to about $3.2B, 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 902720 structured?

HS code 902720 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (90) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (27) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (20) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 902720?

Brazil splits HS code 902720 into 5 NCM codes: 9027.20.11 (Gas chromatographs), 9027.20.12 (Liquid chromatographs), 9027.20.19 (Other chromatographs), 9027.20.21 (Capillary electrophoresis DNA sequencers), 9027.20.29 (Other electrophoresis apparatus). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.