Product classification

HS code for Darkroom equipment: 9010.50

Photographic laboratory apparatus and equipment, n.e.c. in item no. 9010.10, for photographic (including cinematographic) laboratories, negatoscopes.

Classification of darkroom equipment under HS 9010.50

Darkroom equipment is classified under HS code 9010.50. This classification is part of Chapter 90, which covers optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus. Heading 9010 is dedicated to apparatus and equipment for photographic or cinematographic laboratories. Subheading 9010.50 specifically includes other photographic laboratory apparatus and equipment not elsewhere specified in the heading. This includes a wide range of manual and semi-automatic tools used in the processing of silver halide-based photography. The classification is determined by the specialized function of the equipment within a photographic laboratory environment. Unlike automatic processors that handle film in a continuous roll (which fall under 9010.10), 9010.50 covers the ancillary equipment used for developing, washing, and drying photographic materials, as well as equipment for viewing negatives.

Covers
  • Developing tanks and reels
  • Photographic print washers
  • Film and print drying racks
  • Darkroom safelights
  • Negatoscopes (light boxes for viewing negatives or X-rays)
  • Film hangers and clips
  • Manual print trimmers specifically for darkroom use
Also under 9010.50
  • Kaiser Fototechnik negatoscope
  • Jobo film processor (manual)
  • Paterson darkroom equipment
  • Kodak film splicer
  • FujiFilm film dryer

Codes often confused with 9010.50

Common mistake. Darkroom equipment is often confused with HS code 9010.10, which is strictly for automatic apparatus for developing photographic film or paper in rolls. Another common error is classifying darkroom safelights under 9405 (general lighting); however, because they are specialized laboratory instruments, 9010.50 is more appropriate. Photographic enlargers are also frequently misclassified here, but they have their own specific code, 9008.50. Finally, general laboratory glassware used in a darkroom should be classified under 7017.

9010.10Photographic laboratory apparatus and equipment; for automatically developing photographic (including cinematographic) film or paper in rolls or for automatically exposing developed film to rolls of paper94.05Luminaires and light fittings; including searchlights, spotlights and parts thereof, n.e.c.; illuminated signs, name-plates and the like, having permanently fixed light source and parts thereof n.e.c. or included9008.50Image projectors, photographic enlargers and reducers, excluding cinematographic70.17Laboratory, hygienic or pharmaceutical glassware, whether or not graduated or calibrated

Top exporters and importers of HS 901050 (the code used for darkroom equipment), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 901050 (the code used for darkroom equipment) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 30% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 38% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.

Figures cover everything classified under HS 901050, not only darkroom equipment.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 China $91M
  2. 2 Japan $82M
  3. 3 Taiwan* ~$30M

World total: $307M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 China $113M
  2. 2 Thailand $35M
  3. 3 Taiwan* ~$30M

World total: $300M 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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. UN Comtrade records Taiwan as "Other Asia, not elsewhere specified". Saudi Arabia's exports under that code are left out: they are far too large to be trade with Taiwan, so mostly undisclosed partners. 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 darkroom equipment

Brazil splits HS 9010.50 into 3 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.

Questions about darkroom equipment

What is the HS code for Darkroom equipment?

The HS code for Darkroom equipment is 901050 (Photographic laboratory apparatus and equipment; n.e.c. in item no. 9010.10, for photographic (including cinematographic) laboratories; negatoscopes). The HS code for darkroom equipment is 9010.50, which covers various photographic laboratory apparatus.

How do I classify Darkroom equipment for customs?

Darkroom equipment is classified under HS code 901050 — Photographic laboratory apparatus and equipment; n.e.c. in item no. 9010.10, for photographic (including cinematographic) laboratories; negatoscopes. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Does this code include photographic enlargers?

No, photographic enlargers are classified under HS code 9008.50, as they are considered image projectors rather than laboratory processing equipment.

Which countries are the top exporters of darkroom equipment (HS 901050)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 901050 (the code used for darkroom equipment) in UN Comtrade data were China ($91M, 30% of world exports), Japan ($82M) and Taiwan (about $30M). World exports came to about $307M, 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 darkroom equipment (HS 901050)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 901050 (the code used for darkroom equipment) in UN Comtrade data were China ($113M, 38% of world imports), Thailand ($35M) and Taiwan (about $30M). World imports came to about $300M, 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.

Is the HS code for Darkroom equipment the same in all countries?

The base HS code 901050 for Darkroom equipment is internationally standardized for the first 6 digits across 200+ countries. Individual countries may add additional digits for national tariff lines and specific classifications.

What is the NCM code for darkroom equipment in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 901050 into 3 NCM codes, so the right one for darkroom equipment depends on the product's details: 9010.50.10 (Electronic photo image processors), 9010.50.20 (Automatic photopolymer plate developers), 9010.50.90 (Other photo lab equipment; negatoscopes).