Heading 9018

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

42 declarable lines

Heading 9018 covers medical, surgical, dental and veterinary instruments and appliances, including electro-diagnostic machines, syringes and needles, dental equipment, ophthalmic instruments and electro-medical devices, plus their parts and accessories. The heading splits first by function: electro-diagnostic apparatus in 9018.11 through 9018.19, ultraviolet or infrared ray apparatus in 9018.20, syringes and needles in 9018.31 through 9018.39, dental instruments in 9018.41 and 9018.49, ophthalmic instruments in 9018.50, and everything else in 9018.90. Nearly all lines in this heading carry a general (MFN) rate of Free.

Products in this heading

Electrocardiographs and their printed circuit assemblies
Ultrasonic scanning apparatus
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus
Hypodermic syringes with or without needles
Tubular metal needles and suture needles
Dental drill engines and dental burs
Stethoscopes and sphygmomanometers
Electro-surgical instruments and dialysis apparatus

How to choose the right subheading

Whether the device is electro-diagnostic, since that group (9018.11 to 9018.19) is decided before the residual 9018.90 group
The specific function of the device: imaging, monitoring, therapeutic, dental, ophthalmic or general surgical
Whether the item is a finished instrument or a part or accessory, which often has its own line such as 9018.11.60.00 or 9018.90.75.70
For needles and catheters, whether the item is a syringe, a tubular metal needle, or another catheter type, and the material of the catheter
For dental goods, whether the item is a drill engine, a bur, or a hand instrument

Often confused with

X-ray machines and radiotherapy apparatus
Apparatus using X-rays or other ionizing radiation is classified in 9022, not 9018.
Heading 9022
Hearing aids and artificial joints
Worn, carried or implanted appliances that compensate for a defect are classified in 9021.
Heading 9021
Clinical thermometers
Thermometers and similar measuring instruments belong to 9025.
Heading 9025
Contact lenses
Unmounted optical elements such as contact lenses are classified in 9001.
Heading 9001

Frequently asked questions

What is the HTS code for an electrocardiograph?

Electrocardiographs are classified under 9018.11.30.00, with a general (MFN) rate of Free.

What is the duty on ultrasonic scanning apparatus?

Ultrasonic scanning apparatus falls under 9018.12.00.00 and carries a general (MFN) rate of Free.

How do I classify a hypodermic syringe?

Hypodermic syringes, with or without needles, are classified under 9018.31.00.40 at a general (MFN) rate of Free; parts and accessories of syringes go under 9018.31.00.90, also Free.

Guide written from the official schedule text. Rates quoted are general (MFN) rates; check the line page for trade agreement rates and the classification of your exact product.