Chapter 90 covers optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus, precision instruments and apparatus, and parts and accessories thereof. This chapter belongs to high-technology, high-value-added instrument and meter commodities, widely used in medical diagnosis, industrial inspection, scientific research experiments, and other fields. Commodities within the chapter are generally characterized by precision, professionalism, and functionality, and classification requires focused attention on their use, working principle, and whether they contain electronic or optical components. Heading 9018 covers medical, surgical, dental or veterinary instruments and appliances, including scintigraphic apparatus, other electro-medical apparatus and sight-testing instruments. This heading is the core heading for classification of medical devices, including electrocardiographs, ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, nuclear magnetic resonance equipment, endoscopes, dental chairs, etc. Classification requires determining whether the commodity is exclusively for medical diagnosis or treatment, and whether it has electrical or electronic functions. The first 2 digits "90" represent Chapter 90, i.e., the chapter of optical, medical and other precision instruments. Digits 3-4 "18" represent heading 9018, specifically medical, surgical, dental or veterinary instruments and appliances. Digits 5-6 "11" represent subheading 9018.11, i.e., electrocardiographs (including vehicle-mounted). Therefore, 901811 completely represents "vehicle-mounted electrocardiograph", belonging to electrocardiographic recording equipment among electro-medical apparatus, exclusively used for monitoring and recording cardiac electrical activity. Vehicle-mounted electrocardiographs are medical diagnostic equipment, whose core function is to record and analyze electrocardiographic signals, conforming to the description of heading 9018 "electro-medical apparatus". It is not classified under 9027 (physical or chemical analysis instruments) or 9031 (measuring or checking instruments), because it is exclusively for medical purposes and possesses the specific medical function of electrocardiographic recording. At the same time, it differs from ordinary vehicle-mounted electronic devices because it has medical diagnostic use.
Chapter
Chapter 90 covers optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus, precision instruments and apparatus, and parts and accessories thereof. This chapter belongs to high-technology, high-value-added instrument and meter commodities, widely used in medical diagnosis, industrial inspection, scientific research experiments, and other fields. Commodities within the chapter are generally characterized by precision, professionalism, and functionality, and classification requires focused attention on their use, working principle, and whether they contain electronic or optical components.
Heading
Heading 9018 covers medical, surgical, dental or veterinary instruments and appliances, including scintigraphic apparatus, other electro-medical apparatus and sight-testing instruments. This heading is the core heading for classification of medical devices, including electrocardiographs, ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, nuclear magnetic resonance equipment, endoscopes, dental chairs, etc. Classification requires determining whether the commodity is exclusively for medical diagnosis or treatment, and whether it has electrical or electronic functions.
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits "90" represent Chapter 90, i.e., the chapter of optical, medical and other precision instruments. Digits 3-4 "18" represent heading 9018, specifically medical, surgical, dental or veterinary instruments and appliances. Digits 5-6 "11" represent subheading 9018.11, i.e., electrocardiographs (including vehicle-mounted). Therefore, 901811 completely represents "vehicle-mounted electrocardiograph", belonging to electrocardiographic recording equipment among electro-medical apparatus, exclusively used for monitoring and recording cardiac electrical activity.
Classification Basis
Vehicle-mounted electrocardiographs are medical diagnostic equipment, whose core function is to record and analyze electrocardiographic signals, conforming to the description of heading 9018 "electro-medical apparatus". It is not classified under 9027 (physical or chemical analysis instruments) or 9031 (measuring or checking instruments), because it is exclusively for medical purposes and possesses the specific medical function of electrocardiographic recording. At the same time, it differs from ordinary vehicle-mounted electronic devices because it has medical diagnostic use.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The Chinese and foreign language names of the declared commodity, which should accurately reflect the commodity attributes, such as "vehicle-mounted electrocardiograph" or "Vehicle-mounted electrocardiograph". Use: Explain the medical use of the commodity, such as "used for real-time monitoring and recording of patient cardiac electrical activity in vehicle-mounted environments, assisting in the diagnosis of heart disease". Working Principle: Briefly describe how the commodity works, such as "collecting electrocardiographic signals through electrodes, and displaying and recording ECG waveforms after amplification and filtering". Brand: The brand name of the declared commodity, such as "Philips", "GE", etc. If there is no brand, indicate "no brand". Model: The specific model of the declared commodity, such as "HeartStart MRx", etc., used to distinguish different specifications. Whether with Recording Device: Indicate whether it has a built-in recording function, such as "with thermal array recorder" or "display only without recording". Whether Integrated with Vehicle System: Indicate whether it is specifically designed for vehicle mounting, such as "integrated in ambulance medical compartment" or "portable and vehicle-mountable". Product Name: Vehicle-mounted electrocardiograph; Brand: Philips; Model: HeartStart MRx; Use: Used for real-time monitoring, recording and transmission of patient ECG signals in vehicle-mounted environments such as ambulances, assisting in the diagnosis of heart disease; Working Principle: Collects ECG signals through electrodes, and after amplification, filtering, and analog-to-digital conversion, displays ECG waveforms and stores them; Whether with Recording Device: With thermal array recorder; Whether Integrated with Vehicle System: Specifically designed for vehicle mounting, capable of connecting to vehicle power supply and data system. Mistakenly classifying vehicle-mounted electrocardiographs under the ordinary electrocardiograph subheading, ignoring the specific "vehicle-mounted" use. Failure to distinguish whether it has a recording device, leading to incorrect subheading classification. Confusing vehicle-mounted electrocardiographs with ECG monitors, the latter of which may be classified under other subheadings.
Product Name
The Chinese and foreign language names of the declared commodity, which should accurately reflect the commodity attributes, such as "vehicle-mounted electrocardiograph" or "Vehicle-mounted electrocardiograph".
⚠️ Writing only "electrocardiograph" without indicating "vehicle-mounted", or mistakenly writing it as "ECG monitor".
Use
Explain the medical use of the commodity, such as "used for real-time monitoring and recording of patient cardiac electrical activity in vehicle-mounted environments, assisting in the diagnosis of heart disease".
⚠️ Vaguely writing "for medical use" without specifically explaining the vehicle-mounted scenario or diagnostic function.
Working Principle
Briefly describe how the commodity works, such as "collecting electrocardiographic signals through electrodes, and displaying and recording ECG waveforms after amplification and filtering".
⚠️ Incorrectly describing it as "transmitting data via Bluetooth" without mentioning the core ECG acquisition principle.
Brand
The brand name of the declared commodity, such as "Philips", "GE", etc. If there is no brand, indicate "no brand".
⚠️ Mistakenly filling in the model as the brand, or failing to fill in the brand, resulting in incomplete classification information.
Model
The specific model of the declared commodity, such as "HeartStart MRx", etc., used to distinguish different specifications.
⚠️ Incomplete model entry or inconsistency with the actual item.
Whether with Recording Device
Indicate whether it has a built-in recording function, such as "with thermal array recorder" or "display only without recording".
⚠️ Failure to specify the recording function, affecting subheading determination.
Whether Integrated with Vehicle System
Indicate whether it is specifically designed for vehicle mounting, such as "integrated in ambulance medical compartment" or "portable and vehicle-mountable".
⚠️ Failure to explain the vehicle integration method, leading to confusion with ordinary electrocardiographs.
Example： Product Name: Vehicle-mounted electrocardiograph; Brand: Philips; Model: HeartStart MRx; Use: Used for real-time monitoring, recording and transmission of patient ECG signals in vehicle-mounted environments such as ambulances, assisting in the diagnosis of heart disease; Working Principle: Collects ECG signals through electrodes, and after amplification, filtering, and analog-to-digital conversion, displays ECG waveforms and stores them; Whether with Recording Device: With thermal array recorder; Whether Integrated with Vehicle System: Specifically designed for vehicle mounting, capable of connecting to vehicle power supply and data system.
Common Mistakes：
Mistakenly classifying vehicle-mounted electrocardiographs under the ordinary electrocardiograph subheading, ignoring the specific "vehicle-mounted" use.
Failure to distinguish whether it has a recording device, leading to incorrect subheading classification.
Confusing vehicle-mounted electrocardiographs with ECG monitors, the latter of which may be classified under other subheadings.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is the commodity's medical use, working principle, and whether it is specifically designed for vehicle mounting. 901811 explicitly includes electrocardiographs, and vehicle-mounted electrocardiographs conform to the description of heading 9018 due to their medical diagnostic function and electrical characteristics. It should be noted that if the commodity is merely a vehicle-mounted health monitoring device without medical diagnostic function, it may be classified under other headings. In addition, it is necessary to confirm whether the commodity has an electrocardiographic recording function, rather than merely simple heart rate monitoring. 901812 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus: 901812 is ultrasonic diagnostic equipment, using ultrasonic imaging, while 901811 is an electrocardiograph, recording ECG signals, with different working principles and diagnostic purposes. 901819 Other electro-medical apparatus: 901819 is other electro-medical apparatus not elsewhere specified, such as electroencephalographs, electromyographs, etc., while 901811 specifically refers to electrocardiographs, and the subheading has priority. 902780 Other physical or chemical analysis instruments: 902780 is used for physical and chemical analysis, such as blood analyzers, not directly for medical diagnosis, while 901811 is specifically for ECG diagnosis. 903180 Other measuring or checking instruments: 903180 is general-purpose measuring and checking instruments without medical diagnostic function, while 901811 is specifically for medical use. Is the commodity exclusively for medical diagnosis? Does it have an electrocardiographic recording function? Is it designed for vehicle-mounted use? Does it belong to electro-medical apparatus? Is it distinguished from other apparatus under 901819?
Basis
The core basis for classification is the commodity's medical use, working principle, and whether it is specifically designed for vehicle mounting. 901811 explicitly includes electrocardiographs, and vehicle-mounted electrocardiographs conform to the description of heading 9018 due to their medical diagnostic function and electrical characteristics. It should be noted that if the commodity is merely a vehicle-mounted health monitoring device without medical diagnostic function, it may be classified under other headings. In addition, it is necessary to confirm whether the commodity has an electrocardiographic recording function, rather than merely simple heart rate monitoring.
Confused Codes：
901812 - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus
901812 is ultrasonic diagnostic equipment, using ultrasonic imaging, while 901811 is an electrocardiograph, recording ECG signals, with different working principles and diagnostic purposes.
901819 - Other electro-medical apparatus
901819 is other electro-medical apparatus not elsewhere specified, such as electroencephalographs, electromyographs, etc., while 901811 specifically refers to electrocardiographs, and the subheading has priority.
902780 - Other physical or chemical analysis instruments
902780 is used for physical and chemical analysis, such as blood analyzers, not directly for medical diagnosis, while 901811 is specifically for ECG diagnosis.
903180 - Other measuring or checking instruments
903180 is general-purpose measuring and checking instruments without medical diagnostic function, while 901811 is specifically for medical use.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the commodity exclusively for medical diagnosis?
✓ Does it have an electrocardiographic recording function?
✓ Is it designed for vehicle-mounted use?
✓ Does it belong to electro-medical apparatus?
✓ Is it distinguished from other apparatus under 901819?
❓ FAQ
What is the difference in HS code between vehicle-mounted electrocardiographs and ordinary electrocardiographs? Both are classified under 901811, because HS codes are mainly based on function rather than usage scenario. However, when declaring, "vehicle-mounted" must be indicated to distinguish the use and avoid customs questioning. If a vehicle-mounted electrocardiograph only has heart rate monitoring without diagnostic function, it may be classified under other codes. How to inquire about the import tariff rate for 901811? Tariff rates vary by country, trade agreement, and country of origin. It is recommended to check the latest rates through the official website of the General Administration of Customs, the International Trade Single Window, or by consulting a customs broker. At the same time, it is necessary to confirm whether a free trade agreement rate applies. When declaring 901811, is it necessary to provide a medical device registration certificate? Yes, imported medical devices generally require a medical device registration certificate issued by the National Medical Products Administration. Relevant documents must be attached during customs declaration, otherwise customs clearance may not be possible. The specific requirements are subject to customs regulations. If a vehicle-mounted electrocardiograph has Bluetooth transmission function, does the classification change? It will not change and remains classified under 901811, because Bluetooth is only a data transmission method and does not change its core medical diagnostic function. However, when declaring, the function must be described truthfully to avoid being mistakenly classified as communication equipment. How to distinguish 901811 from 901819? 901811 specifically refers to electrocardiographs, including vehicle-mounted ones; 901819 is other electro-medical apparatus not elsewhere specified, such as electroencephalographs, electromyographs, etc. If the commodity is an electrocardiograph, it should be classified under 901811 with priority. When exporting vehicle-mounted electrocardiographs to the EU, is the HS code the same? The EU uses the first six digits of the HS code. 901811 corresponds to 90181100 in the EU, but the latter digits may differ due to internal EU subdivisions. When exporting, it is necessary to confirm the EU TARIC code and comply with local medical device regulations. If a vehicle-mounted electrocardiograph is imported as an ambulance part, is the classification different? If imported separately, it is still classified under 901811; if imported together with the ambulance, it may be classified as a complete vehicle. However, as an independent medical device, even if installed in a vehicle, it should still be declared separately under 901811.
Q: What is the difference in HS code between vehicle-mounted electrocardiographs and ordinary electrocardiographs?
A: Both are classified under 901811, because HS codes are mainly based on function rather than usage scenario. However, when declaring, "vehicle-mounted" must be indicated to distinguish the use and avoid customs questioning. If a vehicle-mounted electrocardiograph only has heart rate monitoring without diagnostic function, it may be classified under other codes.
Q: How to inquire about the import tariff rate for 901811?
A: Tariff rates vary by country, trade agreement, and country of origin. It is recommended to check the latest rates through the official website of the General Administration of Customs, the International Trade Single Window, or by consulting a customs broker. At the same time, it is necessary to confirm whether a free trade agreement rate applies.
Q: When declaring 901811, is it necessary to provide a medical device registration certificate?
A: Yes, imported medical devices generally require a medical device registration certificate issued by the National Medical Products Administration. Relevant documents must be attached during customs declaration, otherwise customs clearance may not be possible. The specific requirements are subject to customs regulations.
Q: If a vehicle-mounted electrocardiograph has Bluetooth transmission function, does the classification change?
A: It will not change and remains classified under 901811, because Bluetooth is only a data transmission method and does not change its core medical diagnostic function. However, when declaring, the function must be described truthfully to avoid being mistakenly classified as communication equipment.
Q: How to distinguish 901811 from 901819?
A: 901811 specifically refers to electrocardiographs, including vehicle-mounted ones; 901819 is other electro-medical apparatus not elsewhere specified, such as electroencephalographs, electromyographs, etc. If the commodity is an electrocardiograph, it should be classified under 901811 with priority.
Q: When exporting vehicle-mounted electrocardiographs to the EU, is the HS code the same?
A: The EU uses the first six digits of the HS code. 901811 corresponds to 90181100 in the EU, but the latter digits may differ due to internal EU subdivisions. When exporting, it is necessary to confirm the EU TARIC code and comply with local medical device regulations.
Q: If a vehicle-mounted electrocardiograph is imported as an ambulance part, is the classification different?
A: If imported separately, it is still classified under 901811; if imported together with the ambulance, it may be classified as a complete vehicle. However, as an independent medical device, even if installed in a vehicle, it should still be declared separately under 901811.
⚠️ Disclaimer: HS code classification, declaration elements, tariff rates and regulatory conditions on this page are for reference only and do not constitute legal advice on customs classification. Tariff rates and regulations are subject to change; the latest announcements from the General Administration of Customs and on-site determinations shall prevail. Please consult professional customs brokers or customs authorities before import/export.