Product classification

HS code for Medical instruments: 9018.90

Medical, surgical or dental instruments and appliances, n.e.c. in heading no. 9018.

Classification of medical instruments under HS 9018.90

Medical instruments and appliances not elsewhere specified are classified under HS code 9018.90. Heading 9018 is one of the broadest categories in the Harmonized System, covering a wide range of tools used in medical, surgical, dental, or veterinary sciences. Subheading 9018.90 acts as the "other" category for instruments that do not fall into specific subheadings like electro-diagnostic apparatus (9018.11-19), ultra-violet/infra-red ray apparatus (9018.20), or syringes and needles (9018.31-39). Classification under 9018.90 requires that the instrument be used directly in the professional practice of medicine. These can range from simple handheld manual tools to complex mechanical devices used in surgery. The classification is based on GRI 1 and 6, and it is important to distinguish these professional tools from general-purpose tools or furniture used in a medical environment.

Covers: Surgical forceps, scalpels, and scissors
Endoscopic instruments
Stethoscopes
Blood pressure monitors (sphygmomanometers)
Surgical retractors and clamps
Dialysis apparatus
Also under 9018.90: Sklar Instruments Retractors
Miltex Surgical Scissors
Littmann Stethoscopes
Welch Allyn Diagnostic Sets
B. Braun Aesculap Scalpels

Codes often confused with 9018.90

Common mistake. A frequent error is classifying medical furniture, such as operating tables or hospital beds, under this code; these belong in 9402. Another common mistake is using 9018.90 for diagnostic reagents or laboratory equipment, which often fall under Chapter 38 or heading 8419/8421. Electronic diagnostic equipment like ECG machines must be classified under 9018.11, not 9018.90. Additionally, if an instrument is specifically for dental use, it should be classified under 9018.41 or 9018.49. It is vital to check if a more specific subheading exists before defaulting to 9018.90.

94.02Furniture; medical, surgical, dental or veterinary (e.g. operating tables, hospital beds, dentists' chairs) barbers' chairs; parts 84.19Machinery, plant (not domestic), or laboratory equipment; electrically heated or not, (excluding items in 85.14) for the treatment of materials by a process involving change of temperature; including instantaneous or non electric storage water heaters 84.21Centrifuges, including centrifugal dryers; filtering or purifying machinery and apparatus for liquids or gases 9018.11Medical, surgical instruments and appliances; electro-cardiographs 9018.41Dental instruments and appliances; dental drill engines, whether or not combined on a single base with other dental equipment 9018.49Dental instruments and appliances; other than dental drill engines

Top exporters and importers of HS 901890 (the code used for medical instruments), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 901890 (the code used for medical instruments) 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.

Figures cover everything classified under HS 901890, not only medical instruments.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

1 United States $18.6B 22% of world exports
2 Germany $9.5B 12% of world exports
3 Mexico $7.8B 9.4% of world exports

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

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

1 United States $22.3B 26% of world imports
2 Germany $5.6B 6.6% of world imports
3 China $5.6B 6.5% of world imports

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 medical instruments

Brazil splits HS 9018.90 into 16 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:

9018.90.10Blood transfusion or IV infusion apparatus
9018.90.21Electric scalpels
9018.90.29Other scalpels
9018.90.31Shock wave lithotripters
9018.90.39Other lithotomes and lithotripters
9018.90.40Artificial kidneys
9018.90.50Diathermy apparatus
9018.90.61Blood pressure apparatus containing mercury
9018.90.69Other blood pressure measuring apparatus
9018.90.91Baby incubators
9018.90.93Microwave prostate therapy apparatus (TUMT)
9018.90.94Endoscopes, other than electro-diagnostic
9018.90.95Medical staples and clips, applicators, extractors
9018.90.96Automatic external defibrillators (AED)
9018.90.97Robot-assisted surgery apparatus
9018.90.99Other medical, surgical or veterinary instruments

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

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Questions about medical instruments

What is the HS code for Medical instruments?

The HS code for Medical instruments is 901890 (Medical, surgical or dental instruments and appliances; n.e.c. in heading no. 9018). The general HS code for miscellaneous medical and surgical instruments is 9018.90.

How do I classify Medical instruments for customs?

Medical instruments is classified under HS code 901890 — Medical, surgical or dental instruments and appliances; n.e.c. in heading no. 9018. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Are household thermometers classified here?

No, thermometers are classified under heading 9025, as they are considered measuring instruments rather than specific medical appliances of heading 9018.

Which countries are the top exporters of medical instruments (HS 901890)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 901890 (the code used for medical instruments) 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 medical instruments (HS 901890)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 901890 (the code used for medical instruments) 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.

Is the HS code for Medical instruments the same in all countries?

The base HS code 901890 for Medical instruments 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 medical instruments in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 901890 into 16 NCM codes, so the right one for medical instruments depends on the product's details: 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), and more.