9031.49 Optical instruments and appliances; for measuring or checking, n.e.c. in chapter 90
A full HS code. These six digits are what goes on a customs declaration, and they mean the same thing in every country that uses the Harmonized System.
Section XVIII, Instruments & Clocks — optical, photographic, measuring and medical instruments, clocks and musical instruments.
- 90 Chapter Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories
- 31 Heading Measuring or checking instruments, appliances and machines, n.e.c. or included in this chapter; profile projectors
- 49 Subheading Optical instruments and appliances; for measuring or checking, n.e.c. in chapter 90
Chapter 90 covers optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories: lenses, cameras, medical devices, lab instruments and precision measuring equipment. It's a broad, high-value chapter spanning consumer optics through hospital equipment. Classification tip: Medical devices in this chapter typically require separate regulatory clearance (FDA, CE marking, or the destination country's equivalent) before import approval, independent of and in addition to the HS classification.
All of chapter 90Other codes under 90.31
The wording above is the Harmonized System nomenclature as published by the World Customs Organization, HS 2022 edition. It is a classification reference, not a tariff: it carries no duty rates, and it stops at six digits — the importing country adds its own beyond that.
Classification is decided by the General Rules of Interpretation and the section and chapter notes, and it is the importing country’s customs authority that makes it binding.
Shipping goods under 9031.49? A customs hold shows up as a milestone that stops moving — follow the container or the air waybill from departure to delivery.
Track a shipment9031.49 FAQ
9031.49 covers optical instruments and appliances; for measuring or checking, n.e.c. in chapter 90. It sits under heading 90.31 (measuring or checking instruments, appliances and machines, n.e.c. or included in this chapter; profile projectors) in chapter 90, Section XVIII of the Harmonized System.
It is the international part of it. Six digits are the same in every country that applies the Harmonized System; the importing country then extends them to eight or ten for its own tariff and statistics. Declare 9031.49 plus whatever national digits the destination’s tariff schedule adds to it.
The General Rules of Interpretation, read together with the notes to Section XVIII and to chapter 90. A description that reads right is not enough on its own — the notes routinely pull goods out of the chapter they obviously belong to and put them somewhere else. Where duty or licensing turns on the answer, ask the importing country’s customs authority for a binding ruling.
A wrong or missing code is one of the common reasons customs holds a container, and a hold shows up as a milestone that stops moving. Watch for it in the container tracking app, on the air waybill in the air cargo tracker, or through the tracking API.