Product classification

HS code for Surgical instruments: 9018.90

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

Classification of surgical instruments under HS 9018.90

Surgical instruments are classified under HS code 9018.90, which serves as the residual or "other" category for medical, surgical, dental, or veterinary instruments and appliances. Chapter 90 covers a wide range of precision equipment, including optical, photographic, and medical instruments. Heading 9018 is the primary heading for instruments used in professional medical practice. While specific subheadings exist for electro-diagnostic apparatus (9018.11-9018.19), ultra-violet or infra-red ray apparatus (9018.20), and dental instruments (9018.41-9018.49), the vast majority of manual surgical tools fall under 9018.90. This includes instruments used for cutting, clamping, retracting, and suturing. The classification is based on the instrument's specialized design for use in a clinical or surgical environment, distinguishing it from general-purpose hand tools. These instruments are typically made of high-grade stainless steel or titanium to withstand repeated sterilization and to provide the precision required for surgical procedures.

Covers: Scalpels and scalpel blades
Surgical forceps and clamps
Retractors and probes
Surgical scissors (specifically designed for medical use)
Needle holders and suction tubes
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 misclassification occurs when surgical instruments are placed under Chapter 82, which covers tools and cutlery of base metal. For example, surgical scissors might be incorrectly classified under 8213.00 (scissors) or scalpels under 8211.92 (knives). However, Note 1(q) to Chapter 82 explicitly excludes instruments and appliances of heading 9018. Another common error is classifying specialized electronic surgical tools under 8543 (electrical machines with individual functions), whereas they should remain in 9018 if they are for medical or surgical use. Accurate classification requires identifying the primary medical purpose of the tool.

8213.00Scissors; tailors' shears, similar shears and blades therefore 8211.92Knives; having fixed cutting blades, (other than table knives), serrated or not, excluding knives and blades of heading no. 8208 90.18Instruments and appliances used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences, including scintigraphic apparatus, other electro-medical apparatus and sight testing instruments 85.43Electrical machines and apparatus; having individual functions, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter

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

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 901890 (the code used for surgical 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 surgical 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 surgical 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 surgical instruments

What is the HS code for Surgical instruments?

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

How do I classify Surgical instruments for customs?

Surgical 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 dental instruments classified under the same code?

No, dental instruments have their own specific subheadings within heading 9018, such as 9018.41 for dental drill engines and 9018.49 for other dental instruments.

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

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

In 2025, the top importers of HS 901890 (the code used for surgical 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 Surgical instruments the same in all countries?

The base HS code 901890 for Surgical 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 surgical instruments in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 901890 into 16 NCM codes, so the right one for surgical 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.