Product classification

HS code for Surveying equipment: 9015.90

Surveying equipment, parts and accessories for articles of heading no. 9015.

Classification of surveying equipment under HS 9015.90

HS code 9015.90 is designated for the parts and accessories of instruments and appliances falling under heading 9015. This heading covers a wide range of equipment used in surveying, hydrography, oceanography, hydrology, meteorology, or geophysics. Classification under 9015.90 requires that the item be identifiable as being solely or principally for use with a surveying instrument. This includes mechanical components, specialized housings, and auxiliary tools that facilitate the operation of the primary device. Because surveying often requires high precision, these accessories are engineered to specific tolerances that distinguish them from general-purpose hardware or tools. For example, a tripod specifically designed with a mounting head for a theodolite is classified here, whereas a general-purpose camera tripod would be classified elsewhere. This code is critical for the global trade of maintenance components and modular additions to surveying systems. It ensures that specialized components like leveling rods or prisms are grouped with the instruments they support, rather than being misclassified as general glass or metal articles. The General Rules of Interpretation (GRI) dictate that parts of instruments of Chapter 90 are generally classified with those instruments if they are not specifically included in other headings.

Covers
  • Tripods for theodolites and levels
  • Surveying prisms and reflectors
  • Leveling staves and rods
  • Carrying cases specially shaped for surveying tools
  • Range poles and bipods for GPS surveying
Also under 9015.90
  • Leica Geosystems Tripods
  • Trimble R12i Antennas
  • Topcon LS-B10 Level Sensors
  • Sokkia GRX3 Batteries
  • Spectra Precision Data Collectors

Codes often confused with 9015.90

Common mistake. Parts are often misclassified under 9015.80, which is for the complete instruments. They may also be incorrectly placed in 7326 (other articles of iron or steel) or 3926 (articles of plastics) if the customs officer does not recognize them as specialized surveying accessories. Optical elements like lenses might be classified under 9001 or 9002 if they are not mounted.

9015.80Surveying equipment; articles n.e.c. in heading no. 9015, including hydrographic, oceanographic, hydrological, meteorological or geophysical instruments and appliances (excluding compasses)73.26Iron or steel; articles, n.e.c. in chapter 7339.26Articles of plastics and articles of other materials of heading no. 3901 to 3914, n.e.c. in chapter 3990.01Optical fibres and optical fibre bundles; optical fibre cables not of heading no. 8544; sheets, plates of polarising material; lenses, prisms, mirrors, of any material; unmounted; not non optical glass90.02Lenses, prisms, mirrors and other optical elements, of any material, mounted, being parts or fittings for instruments or apparatus, other than such elements of glass not optically worked

Top exporters and importers of HS 901590 (the code used for surveying equipment), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 901590 (the code used for surveying equipment) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 19% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 12% 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 901590, not only surveying equipment.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 United States $450M
  2. 2 China $314M
  3. 3 United Kingdom $193M

World total: $2.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $296M
  2. 2 China $184M
  3. 3 United Arab Emirates* ~$150M

World total: $2.5B 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. 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 surveying equipment

Brazil splits HS 9015.90 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:

  • 9015.90.10Photogrammetric instrument parts and accessories
  • 9015.90.90Other parts of surveying and geoscience equipment

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

Questions about surveying equipment

What is the HS code for Surveying equipment?

The HS code for Surveying equipment is 901590 (Surveying equipment; parts and accessories for articles of heading no. 9015).

How do I classify Surveying equipment for customs?

Surveying equipment is classified under HS code 901590 — Surveying equipment; parts and accessories for articles of heading no. 9015. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

What is the HS code for Surveying equipment parts?

The HS code for parts and accessories of surveying, hydrographic, or meteorological instruments is 9015.90.

Are tripods for surveying instruments classified here?

Yes, tripods specifically designed for use with instruments of heading 9015 are classified under 9015.90.

Which countries are the top exporters of surveying equipment (HS 901590)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 901590 (the code used for surveying equipment) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($450M, 19% of world exports), China ($314M) and the United Kingdom ($193M). World exports came to about $2.4B, 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.

Which countries are the top importers of surveying equipment (HS 901590)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 901590 (the code used for surveying equipment) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($296M, 12% of world imports), China ($184M) and the United Arab Emirates (about $150M). World imports came to about $2.5B, 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 Surveying equipment the same in all countries?

The base HS code 901590 for Surveying 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 surveying equipment in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 901590 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for surveying equipment depends on the product's details: 9015.90.10 (Photogrammetric instrument parts and accessories), 9015.90.90 (Other parts of surveying and geoscience equipment).