Product classification

HS code for Densitometer: 9027.89

Instruments 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.

Classification of densitometer under HS 9027.89

Densitometers are classified under HS code 9027.89, which covers instruments and apparatus for physical or chemical analysis. Specifically, these devices measure the optical density of a material by determining the degree of opacity or the amount of light absorbed or reflected by a surface. This classification is appropriate because the densitometer performs a quantitative analysis of light properties to provide data on the physical characteristics of a sample, such as the thickness of an ink layer or the exposure level of a photographic film. Heading 9027 is the designated category for instruments that check quantities of light, sound, or heat that are not specifically mentioned in other headings. These instruments are critical in the printing, photography, and medical radiography industries to ensure quality control and consistency in imaging and color reproduction.

Covers
  • Transmission densitometers for transparent materials
  • Reflection densitometers for opaque surfaces
  • Color densitometers for printing press control
  • Scanning densitometers for laboratory analysis
  • Bone densitometers (specifically those using optical analysis)
  • Microdensitometers for high-resolution imaging
Also under 9027.89
  • Mettler Toledo SevenCompact pH meter
  • Hanna Instruments HI98194
  • Sartorius MA160 Moisture Analyzer
  • Sekonic Speedmaster L-858D
  • Metrohm Titrando

Codes often confused with 9027.89

Common mistake. Densitometers are often confused with HS code 9026.80, which is used for density meters that measure the mass per unit volume of liquids or gases. While the names are similar, 9027.89 is for optical density (light), whereas 9026.80 is for fluid density. Additionally, spectrophotometers are sometimes misclassified here; however, if the device measures the full spectrum of light rather than just density, it may fall under 9027.30.

9026.80Instruments and apparatus; for measuring or checking variables of liquids or gases (excluding pressure or the flow and level of liquids and those of heading no. 9014, 9015, 9028 and 9032)9027.30Spectrometers, spectrophotometers and spectrographs; using optical radiations (UV, visible, IR)

Top exporters and importers of HS 902789 (the code used for densitometer), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 902789 (the code used for densitometer) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 21% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 13% 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 902789, not only densitometer.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 United States $2.4B
  2. 2 Germany $1.6B
  3. 3 China $1.1B

World total: $11.8B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $1.5B
  2. 2 China $1.5B
  3. 3 Germany $608M

World total: $11.4B 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 densitometer

Brazil splits HS 9027.89 into 7 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 densitometer

What is the HS code for Densitometer?

The HS code for Densitometer is 902789 (Instruments 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). The HS code for an optical densitometer used for light analysis is 9027.89.

How do I classify Densitometer for customs?

Densitometer is classified under HS code 902789 — Instruments 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. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Is a bone densitometer classified under 9027.89?

It depends on the technology. If it uses optical analysis, it may fall here, but most modern bone densitometers use X-rays and are classified under HS code 9022.14.

Which countries are the top exporters of densitometer (HS 902789)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 902789 (the code used for densitometer) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($2.4B, 21% of world exports), Germany ($1.6B) and China ($1.1B). World exports came to about $11.8B, 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 densitometer (HS 902789)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 902789 (the code used for densitometer) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.5B, 13% of world imports), China ($1.5B) and Germany ($608M). World imports came to about $11.4B, 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 Densitometer the same in all countries?

The base HS code 902789 for Densitometer 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 densitometer in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 902789 into 7 NCM codes, so the right one for densitometer depends on the product's details: 9027.89.11 (Calorimeters), 9027.89.12 (Viscometers), 9027.89.13 (Densitometers), 9027.89.14 (pH meters), 9027.89.20 (Polarographs), 9027.89.91 (Exposure meters), and more.