Heading 9021

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

13 declarable lines

Heading 9021 covers medical devices that are worn, carried or implanted in the body to correct a defect or disability, plus orthopedic and fracture appliances and dental fittings. It is split by type of device: orthopedic and fracture appliances, artificial teeth and dental fittings, other artificial body parts such as joints, hearing aids, pacemakers, and a residual group for parts and accessories. All declarable lines in this heading carry a general (MFN) rate of Free.

Products in this heading

Bone plates, screws and nails used for internal fixation of a fracture
Hip or knee replacement implants (artificial joints)
Crutches, surgical belts and trusses
External fracture splints and braces
Hearing aids
Pacemakers for stimulating heart muscles
Dentures and artificial teeth
Below-knee or other body prostheses

How to choose the right subheading

Whether the item is worn, carried or implanted in the body to compensate for a defect or disability, or is an orthopedic or fracture appliance.
Whether the item is internal fixation hardware (plates, screws, nails) or another orthopedic or fracture appliance.
Whether the item is an artificial tooth or dental fitting, an artificial joint, or another artificial part of the body.
Whether the item is a complete device such as a hearing aid or pacemaker, or a part or accessory for one.
The material of the item where a material split exists, for example plastics versus other for artificial teeth and dental fittings.

Often confused with

Corrective spectacles and goggles
Eyewear is classified by its own heading even when worn to correct vision.
Heading 9004
Contact lenses
Unmounted lenses are classified in 9001, not as artificial parts of the body.
Heading 9001
Surgical scalpels, forceps and other operating instruments
Reusable medical and surgical instruments belong to 9018; 9021 covers appliances worn, carried or implanted.
Heading 9018
Massage apparatus and mechano-therapy appliances
Therapy appliances used on the body are classified in 9019.
Heading 9019
X-ray and radiotherapy apparatus
Devices based on ionizing radiation are classified in 9022.
Heading 9022

Frequently asked questions

What is the HTS code for a knee replacement implant?

Artificial joints and their parts fall under 9021.31.00.00, with a general (MFN) rate of Free.

What is the duty on hearing aids?

Hearing aids, excluding parts and accessories, are classified under 9021.40.00.00 at a general (MFN) rate of Free. Parts and accessories for hearing aids fall under 9021.90.40.40, also Free.

How do I classify bone screws and bone plates?

Bone plates, screws and nails and other internal fixation devices go under 9021.10.00.50 at a general (MFN) rate of Free. Other orthopedic or fracture appliances and their parts go under 9021.10.00.90, 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.