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 has a broad scope, ranging from spectacles and microscopes to medical imaging equipment, but excludes general mechanical and electrical equipment of Section XVI, plastic products of Chapter 39, etc. Syringes, as medical or surgical instruments, are classified in this chapter due to their professional use. Heading 9018 covers instruments and appliances used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences, including scintigraphic apparatus, electrical medical apparatus, and sight-testing instruments, etc. Syringes, whether or not fitted with needles, fall under this heading as specifically named goods, because they are directly used for medical operations such as injection into or blood drawing from humans or animals, and are typical medical instruments. Code 901831 is a six-digit subheading: the first 2 digits '90' represent Chapter 90 (optical, medical, etc. instruments); digits 3-4 '18' represent heading 9018 (instruments and appliances used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences); digits 5-6 '31' represent subheading 901831, specifically 'Syringes, whether or not fitted with needles'. This subheading may be further subdivided by material, use, etc., but the six-digit code already clearly points to the commodity of syringes. Syringes are classified under 901831 rather than other codes, the key being that they are medical or surgical instruments. If they were ordinary plastic products (such as toy syringes), they would be classified in Chapter 39; if made of glass and not for medical use, they might be classified in Chapter 70. However, because they are designed for medical operations such as injection and aspiration of medicinal liquids, they meet the description of heading 9018, and are therefore classified under 901831.
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 has a broad scope, ranging from spectacles and microscopes to medical imaging equipment, but excludes general mechanical and electrical equipment of Section XVI, plastic products of Chapter 39, etc. Syringes, as medical or surgical instruments, are classified in this chapter due to their professional use.
Heading
Heading 9018 covers instruments and appliances used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences, including scintigraphic apparatus, electrical medical apparatus, and sight-testing instruments, etc. Syringes, whether or not fitted with needles, fall under this heading as specifically named goods, because they are directly used for medical operations such as injection into or blood drawing from humans or animals, and are typical medical instruments.
Digit Breakdown
Code 901831 is a six-digit subheading: the first 2 digits '90' represent Chapter 90 (optical, medical, etc. instruments); digits 3-4 '18' represent heading 9018 (instruments and appliances used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences); digits 5-6 '31' represent subheading 901831, specifically 'Syringes, whether or not fitted with needles'. This subheading may be further subdivided by material, use, etc., but the six-digit code already clearly points to the commodity of syringes.
Classification Basis
Syringes are classified under 901831 rather than other codes, the key being that they are medical or surgical instruments. If they were ordinary plastic products (such as toy syringes), they would be classified in Chapter 39; if made of glass and not for medical use, they might be classified in Chapter 70. However, because they are designed for medical operations such as injection and aspiration of medicinal liquids, they meet the description of heading 9018, and are therefore classified under 901831.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The Chinese and foreign language names of the declared commodity should accurately reflect the product's attributes, such as 'disposable sterile syringe', 'insulin syringe', etc. Use: Explain the specific medical use of the syringe, such as 'for subcutaneous injection', 'for intravenous infusion', 'for blood drawing', etc. Material: The materials of the main components of the syringe (barrel, plunger rod, piston), such as polypropylene, glass, rubber, etc. Sterile or Not: Declare whether it is sterile packaging. Usually disposable syringes are sterile, while reusable syringes may be non-sterile. Disposable or Not: Clearly state whether it is for single use. Disposable syringes usually have a 'disposable' mark. With Needle or Not: Declare whether a hypodermic needle is attached. With or without a needle, both are classified under 901831, but the declaration elements need to specify this. Brand and Model: Fill in the brand name and model. If there is no brand, fill in 'no brand'; the model should be filled in according to actual conditions. Packaging Specification: Such as '100 pieces/box', 'individually packaged', etc., affecting inspection and statistics. Product Name: Disposable sterile syringe; Use: For subcutaneous injection of medicinal liquids; Material: Polypropylene barrel, rubber piston; Sterile or Not: Yes; Disposable or Not: Yes; With Needle or Not: Yes; Brand: BD; Model: 300865; Packaging Specification: 100 pieces/box. Failure to distinguish sterile from non-sterile, leading to incorrect regulatory conditions. Failure to declare whether a needle is attached, affecting classification and inspection. Incomplete material declaration, such as only reporting the barrel material. Use description too general, not specific to clinical use.
Product Name
The Chinese and foreign language names of the declared commodity should accurately reflect the product's attributes, such as 'disposable sterile syringe', 'insulin syringe', etc.
⚠️ Writing only 'syringe' is too general and does not indicate whether it is sterile, disposable, or specialized.
Use
Explain the specific medical use of the syringe, such as 'for subcutaneous injection', 'for intravenous infusion', 'for blood drawing', etc.
⚠️ Filling in 'medical use' is too broad and not refined to the specific clinical scenario.
Material
The materials of the main components of the syringe (barrel, plunger rod, piston), such as polypropylene, glass, rubber, etc.
⚠️ Ignoring the piston material or incorrectly declaring it as a single material.
Sterile or Not
Declare whether it is sterile packaging. Usually disposable syringes are sterile, while reusable syringes may be non-sterile.
⚠️ Declaring non-sterile products as sterile, causing customs clearance delays.
Disposable or Not
Clearly state whether it is for single use. Disposable syringes usually have a 'disposable' mark.
⚠️ Confusing disposable with reusable, affecting regulatory conditions.
With Needle or Not
Declare whether a hypodermic needle is attached. With or without a needle, both are classified under 901831, but the declaration elements need to specify this.
⚠️ Failing to declare the needle, resulting in inconsistency with the actual goods.
Brand and Model
Fill in the brand name and model. If there is no brand, fill in 'no brand'; the model should be filled in according to actual conditions.
⚠️ Confusing brand with model, or failing to declare according to specifications.
Packaging Specification
Such as '100 pieces/box', 'individually packaged', etc., affecting inspection and statistics.
⚠️ Incomplete filling, resulting in inability to verify quantities.
Example： Product Name: Disposable sterile syringe; Use: For subcutaneous injection of medicinal liquids; Material: Polypropylene barrel, rubber piston; Sterile or Not: Yes; Disposable or Not: Yes; With Needle or Not: Yes; Brand: BD; Model: 300865; Packaging Specification: 100 pieces/box.
Common Mistakes：
Failure to distinguish sterile from non-sterile, leading to incorrect regulatory conditions.
Failure to declare whether a needle is attached, affecting classification and inspection.
Incomplete material declaration, such as only reporting the barrel material.
Use description too general, not specific to clinical use.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is the 'Import and Export Tariff' and the 'Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System Explanatory Notes'. Syringes are classified under 901831 because they are medical or surgical instruments, and the heading text explicitly names 'syringes'. When determining, it is necessary to confirm whether the main function of the commodity is medical use; if it is for other uses (such as industrial dispensing), it may be classified under other headings. At the same time, consideration should be given to whether a needle is attached, but with or without a needle does not affect classification under 901831. 901839 Other syringes and similar articles: 901839 covers other medical syringes and similar articles, such as irrigators, droppers, etc., while 901831 specifically refers to syringes. If the commodity is a syringe, it should be classified under 901831 first. 901890 Other medical instruments and appliances: 901890 covers other unnamed medical appliances under heading 9018, such as scalpels, forceps, etc. Syringes already have a specific name and should not be classified under 901890. 392690 Other articles of plastics: If the syringe is a toy or for non-medical use and made of plastic, it may be classified under 392690. However, medical syringes must be classified under 901831. 701790 Other articles of glass: Glass syringes, if for medical use, are still classified under 901831; if for laboratory non-medical use, they may be classified under 701790. 848180 Other valves and similar devices: If the syringe is used for industrial dispensing, etc., it may be classified as a valve-type part under 848180, but for medical use it is classified under 901831. Is it used for medical or surgical purposes? Is it clearly a syringe rather than other appliances? Is a needle attached? Does the material affect classification? Is it for single use?
Basis
The core basis for classification is the 'Import and Export Tariff' and the 'Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System Explanatory Notes'. Syringes are classified under 901831 because they are medical or surgical instruments, and the heading text explicitly names 'syringes'. When determining, it is necessary to confirm whether the main function of the commodity is medical use; if it is for other uses (such as industrial dispensing), it may be classified under other headings. At the same time, consideration should be given to whether a needle is attached, but with or without a needle does not affect classification under 901831.
Confused Codes：
901839 - Other syringes and similar articles
901839 covers other medical syringes and similar articles, such as irrigators, droppers, etc., while 901831 specifically refers to syringes. If the commodity is a syringe, it should be classified under 901831 first.
901890 - Other medical instruments and appliances
901890 covers other unnamed medical appliances under heading 9018, such as scalpels, forceps, etc. Syringes already have a specific name and should not be classified under 901890.
392690 - Other articles of plastics
If the syringe is a toy or for non-medical use and made of plastic, it may be classified under 392690. However, medical syringes must be classified under 901831.
701790 - Other articles of glass
Glass syringes, if for medical use, are still classified under 901831; if for laboratory non-medical use, they may be classified under 701790.
848180 - Other valves and similar devices
If the syringe is used for industrial dispensing, etc., it may be classified as a valve-type part under 848180, but for medical use it is classified under 901831.
Self-Check：
✓ Is it used for medical or surgical purposes?
✓ Is it clearly a syringe rather than other appliances?
✓ Is a needle attached?
✓ Does the material affect classification?
✓ Is it for single use?
❓ FAQ
Are the HS codes the same for syringes with and without needles? Yes. According to HS classification rules, syringes, whether or not fitted with needles, are classified under subheading 901831. When needles are imported separately, they are classified under 901832, but when imported as a whole syringe, they are still classified as syringes. Are the codes different for disposable and reusable syringes? No difference. Both are classified under 901831. However, when declaring, it is necessary to indicate whether it is disposable, because regulatory conditions may differ (e.g., disposable syringes may involve medical device registration). How to check the import tariff rate for syringes? The tariff rate needs to be checked according to the customs tariff of the destination country. China's import tariff rate can be checked through the 'Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China' or the website of the General Administration of Customs by entering HS code 901831 to obtain the MFN rate, general rate, etc. Note that rates may change, and the latest announcement shall prevail. Are HS codes consistent when exporting syringes to the United States? The United States uses the HTSUS code, and the first six digits are consistent with HS, with 901831 corresponding to US HTS 9018.31. However, the last four digits may differ, and it is necessary to check the US Customs website to confirm. When exporting, declarations must be filled in according to US requirements. How are syringe parts (such as pistons) classified? If parts specifically for syringes are imported separately, should they be classified under 901839 (other syringes and similar articles) or according to material? In fact, parts under heading 9018 are usually classified under 901890, but if syringe parts have a specific name, they are classified under 901839. It is recommended to check the tariff explanatory notes. If the syringe is used for animals, does the code change? No change. Heading 9018 covers instruments and appliances for veterinary use, so syringes for animals are still classified under 901831. When declaring, simply indicate 'veterinary use' in the use column. What regulatory documents are required for importing syringes? Importing syringes into China usually requires a medical device registration certificate (according to National Medical Products Administration regulations), as well as an inbound goods customs clearance form. Specific regulatory conditions need to be checked in the regulatory document code table issued by the General Administration of Customs. Do small cross-border e-commerce packages exporting syringes also require formal customs declaration? If exported through cross-border e-commerce retail, they can be declared under the cross-border e-commerce model, but HS code 901831 is still required. If the quantity is small and the value is low, simplified declaration may apply, but it must comply with customs regulations.
Q: Are the HS codes the same for syringes with and without needles?
A: Yes. According to HS classification rules, syringes, whether or not fitted with needles, are classified under subheading 901831. When needles are imported separately, they are classified under 901832, but when imported as a whole syringe, they are still classified as syringes.
Q: Are the codes different for disposable and reusable syringes?
A: No difference. Both are classified under 901831. However, when declaring, it is necessary to indicate whether it is disposable, because regulatory conditions may differ (e.g., disposable syringes may involve medical device registration).
Q: How to check the import tariff rate for syringes?
A: The tariff rate needs to be checked according to the customs tariff of the destination country. China's import tariff rate can be checked through the 'Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China' or the website of the General Administration of Customs by entering HS code 901831 to obtain the MFN rate, general rate, etc. Note that rates may change, and the latest announcement shall prevail.
Q: Are HS codes consistent when exporting syringes to the United States?
A: The United States uses the HTSUS code, and the first six digits are consistent with HS, with 901831 corresponding to US HTS 9018.31. However, the last four digits may differ, and it is necessary to check the US Customs website to confirm. When exporting, declarations must be filled in according to US requirements.
Q: How are syringe parts (such as pistons) classified?
A: If parts specifically for syringes are imported separately, should they be classified under 901839 (other syringes and similar articles) or according to material? In fact, parts under heading 9018 are usually classified under 901890, but if syringe parts have a specific name, they are classified under 901839. It is recommended to check the tariff explanatory notes.
Q: If the syringe is used for animals, does the code change?
A: No change. Heading 9018 covers instruments and appliances for veterinary use, so syringes for animals are still classified under 901831. When declaring, simply indicate 'veterinary use' in the use column.
Q: What regulatory documents are required for importing syringes?
A: Importing syringes into China usually requires a medical device registration certificate (according to National Medical Products Administration regulations), as well as an inbound goods customs clearance form. Specific regulatory conditions need to be checked in the regulatory document code table issued by the General Administration of Customs.
Q: Do small cross-border e-commerce packages exporting syringes also require formal customs declaration?
A: If exported through cross-border e-commerce retail, they can be declared under the cross-border e-commerce model, but HS code 901831 is still required. If the quantity is small and the value is low, simplified declaration may apply, but it must comply with customs regulations.
⚠️ 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.