HS Code 90: Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof

Q: Is HS code 90 the same in every country?

Yes — HS code 90 is part of the WCO Harmonized System and is the same in every WCO member country at the 6-digit level. Beyond 6 digits, each country extends the code under its own system (e.g. HTSUS in the US, CN/TARIC in the EU, HSK in Korea, CCCHS in China) for national tariff rates and trade statistics. To see how a specific country classifies this code, select a country.

Q: Which WCO edition does HS code 90 belong to, and has it been reclassified?

The Harmonized System is maintained by the World Customs Organization (WCO) and revised approximately every five years. The current edition is HS 2022, which replaced HS 2017 on 1 January 2022. Codes are added, merged, or split between editions to reflect new products and trade patterns, so a code valid in one edition may not exist or may mean something different in another.

Q: How do I find the correct country-specific version of HS code 90?

Beyond the international 6-digit level, each country adds its own digits — the US extends to 10 digits (HTSUS), the EU to 8 or 10 (CN/TARIC), China to 13 (CCCHS), Korea to 10 (HSK), Japan to 9, and so on. To find the full code used by a specific country, select a country in TradeInt's HS Code Tool and search for 90.

What is HS Code 90

HS Code 90 covers Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof. It is one of the 96 chapters of the WCO Harmonized System, sitting in Section XVIII (Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; clocks and watches; musical instruments; parts and accessories thereof). The two digits "90" are the chapter level — every 4-digit heading and 6-digit subheading starting with "90" belongs here.

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What does HS Code 90 Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof Cover?

Section XVIII

Chapters (90-92) Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; clocks and watches; musical instruments; parts and accessories thereof

Chapter 90

Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof

HS Code 9001

Optical 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 glass

HS Code 9002

Lenses, 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

HS Code 9003

Frames and mountings; for spectacles, goggles or the like, and parts

HS Code 9004

Spectacles, goggles and the like; corrective, protective or other

HS Code 9005

Binoculars, monoculars, other optical telescopes, mountings therefore; other astronomical instruments, mountings therefore, but not including instruments for radio-astronomy

HS Code 9006

Cameras, photographic (excluding cinematographic); photographic flashlight apparatus and flashbulbs other than discharge lamps of heading no. 8539

HS Code 9007

Cinematographic cameras and projectors, whether or not incorporating sound recording or reproducing apparatus

HS Code 9008

Image projectors, other than cinematographic; photographic (other than cinematographic) enlargers and reducers

HS Code 9010

Photographic (including cinematographic) laboratory apparatus and equipment, n.e.c. in chapter 90; negatoscopes; projection screens

HS Code 9011

Microscopes, compound optical; including those for photomicrography, cinephotomicrography or microprojection

HS Code 9012

Microscopes (excluding optical microscopes); diffraction apparatus

HS Code 9013

Lasers, other than laser diodes; other optical appliances and instruments n.e.c. in this chapter

HS Code 9014

Navigational instruments and appliances; direction finding compasses

HS Code 9015

Surveying (including photogrammetrical surveying), hydrographic, oceanographic, hydrological, meteorological or geophysical instruments and appliances, excluding compasses, rangefinders

HS Code 9016

Balances; of a sensitivity of 5cg or better, with or without weights

HS Code 9017

Drawing, marking-out, mathematical calculating instruments (drafting machines, protractors, drawing sets etc); instruments for measuring length (e.g. measuring rods, tapes, micrometers, callipers) n.e.c.

HS Code 9018

Instruments and appliances used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences, including scintigraphic apparatus, other electro-medical apparatus and sight testing instruments

HS Code 9019

Mechano-therapy, massage appliances; psychological aptitude testing apparatus; ozone, oxygen, aerosol therapy, artificial respiration or other therapeutic respiration apparatus

HS Code 9020

Breathing appliances and gas masks; excluding protective masks having neither mechanical parts nor replaceable filters and excluding apparatus of item no. 9019.20

HS Code 9021

Orthopaedic appliances; including crutches, surgical belts and trusses; splints and other fracture appliances; artificial parts of the body; hearing aids and other which are worn, carried or implanted in the body to compensate for a defect or disability

HS Code 9022

Apparatus based on the use of x-rays or of alpha, beta, gamma or other ionising radiations, whether or not for medical, surgical, dental or veterinary uses, including radiography or radiotherapy apparatus, x-ray tubes and other x-ray generators, high tens

HS Code 9023

Instruments, apparatus and models, designed for demonstrational purposes (in education or exhibitions), unsuitable for other uses

HS Code 9024

Machines and appliances for testing the hardness, strength, compressibility, elasticity of other mechanical properties of materials (e.g. metals, wood, textiles, paper, plastics)

HS Code 9025

Hydrometers and similar floating instruments, thermometers, pyrometers, barometers, hygrometers and psychrometers, recording or not

HS Code 9026

Instruments, apparatus for measuring or checking the flow, level, pressure of liquids, gases (e.g. flow meters, heat meters etc), not instruments and apparatus of heading no. 9014, 9015, 9028 or 9032

HS Code 9027

Instruments and apparatus; for physical or chemical analysis (e.g. polarimeters, spectrometers), for measuring or checking viscosity, porosity, etc, for measuring quantities of heat, sound or light

HS Code 9028

Gas, liquid or electricity supply or production meters, including calibrating meters therefor

HS Code 9029

Revolution counter, production counters, taximeters, mileometers, pedometers and the like, speed indicators and tachometers, other than those of heading no. 9015, stroboscopes

HS Code 9030

Instruments, apparatus for measuring, checking electrical quantities not meters of heading no. 9028; instruments, apparatus for measuring or detecting alpha, beta, gamma, x-ray, cosmic and other radiations

HS Code 9031

Measuring or checking instruments, appliances and machines, n.e.c. or included in this chapter; profile projectors

HS Code 9032

Regulating or controlling instruments and apparatus; automatic type

HS Code 9033

Machines and appliances, instruments or apparatus of chapter 90; parts and accessories n.e.c. in chapter 90

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What HS Codes for Optical and Medical Instruments Do Not Cover

Chapter 90 covers optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical, and surgical instruments. Goods frequently misclassified here but that belong elsewhere include:

Toy microscopes and telescopes (children's)

Chapter 95

Photographic film and chemicals

Chapter 37

General-purpose machinery

Chapter 84

Watches and clocks

Chapter 91

This list highlights common classification errors only — it is not exhaustive. For binding classification, work with a licensed customs broker or qualified trade compliance professional.

Related HS Codes under Optical and Medical Instruments HS 90

HS Code 9001

HS Code 9002

Lenses, 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

HS Code 9003

Frames and mountings; for spectacles, goggles or the like, and parts

HS Code 9004

Spectacles, goggles and the like; corrective, protective or other

HS Code 9005

Binoculars, monoculars, other optical telescopes, mountings therefore; other astronomical instruments, mountings therefore, but not including instruments for radio-astronomy

HS Code 9006

Cameras, photographic (excluding cinematographic); photographic flashlight apparatus and flashbulbs other than discharge lamps of heading no. 8539

HS Code 9007

Cinematographic cameras and projectors, whether or not incorporating sound recording or reproducing apparatus

HS Code 9008

Image projectors, other than cinematographic; photographic (other than cinematographic) enlargers and reducers

HS Code 9010

Photographic (including cinematographic) laboratory apparatus and equipment, n.e.c. in chapter 90; negatoscopes; projection screens

HS Code 9011

Microscopes, compound optical; including those for photomicrography, cinephotomicrography or microprojection

Frequently Asked Questions

What is HS code 90?

HS code 90 covers Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof, one of the chapter 90 of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Harmonized System. It is the broadest level of HS classification, grouping all products of this type before they are narrowed down by more specific 4-digit headings and 6-digit subheadings.

Is HS code 90 the same in every country?

Which WCO edition does HS code 90 belong to, and has it been reclassified?

How do I find the correct country-specific version of HS code 90?