Product classification
HS code for Dental forceps: 9018.49
Dental instruments and appliances, other than dental drill engines.
Classification of dental forceps under HS 9018.49
Dental forceps are classified under HS code 9018.49. Heading 9018 covers instruments and appliances used in medical, surgical, dental, or veterinary sciences, including scintigraphic apparatus, other electro-medical apparatus, and sight-testing instruments. Subheading 9018.40 is specifically designated for \"Other instruments and appliances, used in dental sciences.\" Within this group, 9018.41 is reserved for dental drill engines, leaving 9018.49 as the classification for all other dental instruments. Forceps are essential hand-held tools used by practitioners for gripping, retracting, or extracting teeth and tissues. Because they are specialized for dental procedures and are not intended for general mechanical use, they are excluded from Chapter 82 (tools) and placed in Chapter 90. The classification remains consistent regardless of the specific type of forceps (e.g., extraction vs. orthodontic) or the material (typically high-grade stainless steel), as long as the instrument is identifiable as being for dental use. This classification follows General Rule of Interpretation (GRI) 1, which prioritizes the terms of the headings and any relative section or chapter notes.
- Covers
- Tooth extraction forceps (upper and lower)
- Root tip forceps
- Orthodontic pliers and wire cutters
- Hemostatic forceps for oral surgery
- Dental explorers and probes
- Periodontal scalers and curettes
- Mouth mirrors and handles
- Also under 9018.49
- Hu-Friedy Perio Probes
- Miltex Extraction Forceps
- Nordent Scalers
- Kerr Dental Spatulas
- GC Fuji Impression Trays
Codes often confused with 9018.49
Common mistake. The most common misclassification for dental forceps is HS code 8203.20, which covers pliers, pincers, and tweezers for general use. While dental forceps share a similar mechanical design with pliers, their specialized medical application and high-precision manufacturing for sterilization require classification under 9018.49. Another error is using 9018.90 (other medical instruments), but 9018.49 is more specific as it is dedicated to dental-specific instruments.
Top exporters and importers of HS 901849 (the code used for dental forceps), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 901849 (the code used for dental forceps) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 23% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 14% 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 901849, not only dental forceps.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $1.5B 23% of world exports
- 2 China $765M 11% of world exports
- 3 Switzerland $732M 11% of world exports
World total: $6.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $930M 14% of world imports
- 2 Germany $725M 11% of world imports
- 3 Netherlands $477M 7.0% of world imports
World total: $6.8B 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 dental forceps
Brazil splits HS 9018.49 into 7 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 9018.49.11Tungsten carbide dental burs
- 9018.49.12Vanadium steel dental burs
- 9018.49.19Other dental burs
- 9018.49.20Dental files
- 9018.49.40Dental kinetic particle projection apparatus
- 9018.49.91Computerised dental ceramic restoration systems
- 9018.49.99Other dental instruments and appliances
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about dental forceps
What is the HS code for Dental forceps?
The HS code for Dental forceps is 901849 (Dental instruments and appliances; other than dental drill engines). Dental forceps are classified under HS code 9018.49, which covers miscellaneous dental instruments and appliances.
How do I classify Dental forceps for customs?
Dental forceps is classified under HS code 901849 — Dental instruments and appliances; other than dental drill engines. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are orthodontic pliers classified differently than extraction forceps?
No, both orthodontic pliers and extraction forceps are classified under HS code 9018.49, as they are both specialized instruments used in the dental sciences.
Which countries are the top exporters of dental forceps (HS 901849)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 901849 (the code used for dental forceps) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($1.5B, 23% of world exports), China ($765M) and Switzerland ($732M). World exports came to about $6.7B, 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 dental forceps (HS 901849)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 901849 (the code used for dental forceps) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($930M, 14% of world imports), Germany ($725M) and the Netherlands ($477M). World imports came to about $6.8B, 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.
Is the HS code for Dental forceps the same in all countries?
The base HS code 901849 for Dental forceps 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 dental forceps in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 901849 into 7 NCM codes, so the right one for dental forceps depends on the product's details: 9018.49.11 (Tungsten carbide dental burs), 9018.49.12 (Vanadium steel dental burs), 9018.49.19 (Other dental burs), 9018.49.20 (Dental files), 9018.49.40 (Dental kinetic particle projection apparatus), 9018.49.91 (Computerised dental ceramic restoration systems), and more.