Optical, photographic, cinematographic… (chapter 90): which countries import it

Fact sheet

Code

90

Sector

Technology and Electronics

Headings in this chapter

• 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 glassHeading 9001
• 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 workedHeading 9002
• Frames and mountings; for spectacles, goggles or the like, and partsHeading 9003
• Spectacles, goggles and the like; corrective, protective or otherHeading 9004
• Binoculars, monoculars, other optical telescopes, mountings therefore; other astronomical instruments, mountings therefore, but not including instruments for radio-astronomyHeading 9005
• Cameras, photographic (excluding cinematographic); photographic flashlight apparatus and flashbulbs other than discharge lamps of heading no. 8539Heading 9006
• Cinematographic cameras and projectors, whether or not incorporating sound recording or reproducing apparatusHeading 9007
• Image projectors, other than cinematographic; photographic (other than cinematographic) enlargers and reducersHeading 9008
• Photocopying apparatus incorporating an optical system or of the contact type and thermo-copying apparatus.Heading 9009
• Photographic (including cinematographic) laboratory apparatus and equipment, n.e.c. in chapter 90; negatoscopes; projection screensHeading 9010
• Microscopes, compound optical; including those for photomicrography, cinephotomicrography or microprojectionHeading 9011
• Microscopes (excluding optical microscopes); diffraction apparatusHeading 9012
• Lasers, other than laser diodes; other optical appliances and instruments n.e.c. in this chapterHeading 9013
• Navigational instruments and appliances; direction finding compassesHeading 9014
• Surveying (including photogrammetrical surveying), hydrographic, oceanographic, hydrological, meteorological or geophysical instruments and appliances, excluding compasses, rangefindersHeading 9015
• Balances; of a sensitivity of 5cg or better, with or without weightsHeading 9016
• 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.Heading 9017
• Instruments and appliances used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences, including scintigraphic apparatus, other electro-medical apparatus and sight testing instrumentsHeading 9018
• Mechano-therapy, massage appliances; psychological aptitude testing apparatus; ozone, oxygen, aerosol therapy, artificial respiration or other therapeutic respiration apparatusHeading 9019
• Breathing appliances and gas masks; excluding protective masks having neither mechanical parts nor replaceable filters and excluding apparatus of item no. 9019.20Heading 9020
• 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 disabilityHeading 9021
• 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 tensHeading 9022
• Instruments, apparatus and models, designed for demonstrational purposes (in education or exhibitions), unsuitable for other usesHeading 9023
• Machines and appliances for testing the hardness, strength, compressibility, elasticity of other mechanical properties of materials (e.g. metals, wood, textiles, paper, plastics)Heading 9024
• Hydrometers and similar floating instruments, thermometers, pyrometers, barometers, hygrometers and psychrometers, recording or notHeading 9025
• 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 9032Heading 9026
• 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 lightHeading 9027
• Gas, liquid or electricity supply or production meters, including calibrating meters thereforHeading 9028
• Revolution counter, production counters, taximeters, mileometers, pedometers and the like, speed indicators and tachometers, other than those of heading no. 9015, stroboscopesHeading 9029
• 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 radiationsHeading 9030
• Measuring or checking instruments, appliances and machines, n.e.c. or included in this chapter; profile projectorsHeading 9031
• Regulating or controlling instruments and apparatus; automatic typeHeading 9032
• Machines and appliances, instruments or apparatus of chapter 90; parts and accessories n.e.c. in chapter 90Heading 9033

Trade fairs in this sector

• CES®
• embedded world Exhibition & Conference
• IFA Berlin
• Light + Building
• MWC Barcelona

What you need to know before exporting

Chapter 90 contains 33 headings, each covering a different type of instrument. The heading determines the tariff classification, which affects both your export documentation and the duties your buyer pays. Start by identifying the precise heading that matches your product: the list included on this page groups them by function and includes the formal legal description.

The largest buyers are the United States, China, Germany, the Netherlands and Japan. These five countries import over 70% of all Chapter 90 products globally. Understanding which markets import your specific product type—not just the chapter as a whole—requires checking trade data by heading and destination, which you can do through Trade Map or national customs statistics.

Tariffs vary significantly by destination and heading. Access2Markets allows you to check the applicable duty rate from Spain to any country for your exact tariff line. The rate depends on the trade agreements in force: the EU's agreements with the UK, Mexico, Chile and other partners set different terms than WTO Most Favored Nation rates.

Certification and testing requirements depend on both the product type and the destination market. Medical devices, for example, require regulatory approval in most markets; optical instruments may need conformity assessment; measuring instruments often require calibration standards. Check the specific requirements for your heading and buyer country before quoting.

Spain's position as an importer—12.6 billion USD in 2025—reflects the country's integration in EU supply chains and domestic demand for precision instruments. If your product is a component or intermediate good destined for assembly or re-export, research whether your buyer is a final manufacturer or a distributor in a transit market.

Frequently asked questions