HS Code for Viscometer

A viscometer is classified under HS code 9027.81, which is part of the broader category for instruments and apparatus used for physical or chemical analysis. This specific code is designated for instruments that measure or check viscosity, porosity, expansion, surface tension, or similar properties. Viscometers are precision tools used in laboratories and industrial settings to determine the internal friction of a fluid. The classification under Chapter 90 is appropriate because these devices are considered optical, measuring, or checking precision instruments. Heading 9027 specifically targets instruments for physical or chemical analysis. The inclusion of viscometers under 9027.81 is based on the device's function of analyzing the physical state of a substance. Whether the instrument is a simple glass capillary viscometer or a complex electronic rotational viscometer, it falls under this heading because its primary purpose is the scientific measurement of viscosity. It is important to distinguish these from simple flow meters, which measure the volume or mass of a fluid passing through a point, rather than the internal properties of the fluid itself. The classification remains consistent regardless of whether the device is used for oil, food products, or chemical polymers.

Products Included

• Rotational viscometers (Brookfield type)
• Capillary viscometers (Ubbelohde or Cannon-Fenske)
• Falling ball viscometers
• Digital and analog viscosity meters
• Process viscometers for industrial pipelines

Common Misclassification

Viscometers are sometimes misclassified under HS code 9026.80, which covers instruments for measuring or checking the flow or level of liquids. While viscosity affects flow, 9026 is for quantity and velocity measurement, whereas 9027.81 is for the analysis of physical properties. They may also be confused with 9031.80, a residual category for other measuring instruments.

FAQ

What is the HS code for a viscometer?

The HS code for a viscometer used for physical analysis is 9027.81.

Does this code include laboratory glassware used for viscosity?

If the item is a simple glass tube without mechanical parts, it might be classified under Chapter 70 as laboratory glassware (7017). However, calibrated capillary viscometers are generally kept in 9027.