90ChapterSection XVIII

HSN Chapter 90: Optical, Photographic, Cinematographic, Measuring, Checking, Precision, Medical Or Surgical Instruments And Apparatus; Parts And Accessories Thereof

32 headings, and the 42 codes in this chapter that people search for, each with its full classification.

About Chapter 90

Chapter 90 of the Harmonized System of Nomenclature (HSN) is titled “Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof”. It is part of Section XVIII, Optical, Medical & Precision Instruments, together with Chapter 91 (clocks and watches and parts thereof) and Chapter 92 (musical instruments; parts and accessories of such articles).

The chapter is divided into 32 headings, from 9001 (optical fibres and optical fibre bundles) to 9033 (parts and accessories for machines, appliances, instruments or apparatus of chapter 90). The headings with the most codes that people search for are instruments and appliances used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences (9018), measuring or checking instruments, appliances and machines (9031), instruments and apparatus for measuring or checking the flow, level (9026), drawing, marking-out or mathematical calculating instruments (9017) and thermometer (9025).

Note 1 keeps out technical articles of soft vulcanised rubber (heading 4016), leather (heading 4205) or textile (heading 5911), supports whose effect comes only from their elasticity, such as maternity belts (Section XI), and refractory goods of heading 6903.

Every heading is listed below. Under each are the codes that have their own page on Laabam One, 42 codes in this chapter, each with its full classification: its chapter, heading and sub-heading, and the codes beside it.

Every code in this chapter begins with 90: four digits make a heading, six a sub-heading, and eight a tariff item of India's Customs Tariff. How many of those digits a GST tax invoice shows depends on the business, not the goods: under Notification No. 78/2020 – Central Tax, from 1 April 2021, four digits where aggregate turnover in the previous financial year was up to ₹5 crore, and six above it. Up to ₹5 crore, the code may be left off invoices to unregistered buyers.

No GST rate is shown here. GST rates were revised in September 2025, and a rate appears on this site only once it has been checked against the CBIC rate notifications.

Sources: ITC(HS) Chapter 90, DGCI&S (title, headings and notes); Notification No. 78/2020 – Central Tax (HSN digits on invoices).

Headings in Chapter 90

  1. 9001Optical Fibres And Optical Fibre Bundles, Optical Fibre Cables Other Than Those Of Heading 8544

  2. 9002Lenses, Prisms, Mirrors And Other Optical Elements, Of Any Material, Mounted, Being Parts Of Or Fittings For Instruments Or Apparatus

  3. 9003Frames And Mountings For Spectacles, Goggles Or The Like, And Parts Thereof

  4. 9004Spectacles, Goggles And The Like, Corrective, Protective Or Other

  5. 9005Binoculars, Monoculars, Other Optical Telescopes, And Mountings Therefor

  6. 9006Photographic

  7. 9007Cinematographic Cameras And Projectors, Whether Or Not Incorporating Sound Recording Or Reproducing Apparatus

  8. 9008Image Projectors, Other Than Cinematographic; Photographic (Other Than Cinematographic) Enlargers And Reducers

  9. 9010Apparatus And Equipment For Photographic Laboratories Not Specified Or Included Elsewhere In This Chapter; Negatoscopes

  10. 9011Compound Optical Microscopes, Including Those For Photomicro-Graphy, Cinephotomicrography Or Microprojection

  11. 9012Microscopes Other Than Optical Microscopes; Diffraction Apparatus

  12. 9013Lasers, Other Than Laser Diodes; Other Optical Appliances And Instruments, Not Specified Or Included Elsewhere In This Chapter

  13. 9014Direction Finding Compasses; Other Navigational Instruments And Appliances

  14. 9015Surveying, Hydrographic, Oceanographic, Hydrological, Meteorological Or Geophysical Instruments And Appliances, Excluding Compasses

  15. 9016Balances Of A Sensitivity Of 5 Cg Or Better, With Or Without Weights

  16. 9017Drawing, Marking-Out Or Mathematical Calculating Instruments

  17. 9018Instruments And Appliances Used In Medical, Surgical, Dental Or Veterinary Sciences

  18. 9019Mechano-Therapy Appliances; Massage Apparatus; Psychological Aptitude-Testing Apparatus

  19. 9020Other Breathing Appliances And Gas Masks, Excluding Protective Masks Having Neither Mechanical Parts Nor Replaceable Filters

  20. 9021Orthopaedic Appliances

  21. 9022Apparatus Based On The Use Of X-Rays Or Of Alpha, Beta Gamma Or Other Ionising Radiations

  22. 9023Instruments, Apparatus And Models, Designed For Demonstrational Purposes, Unsuitable For Other Uses

  23. 9024Machines And Appliances For Testing The Hardness, Strength, Compressibility, Elasticity Or Other Mechanical Properties Of Materials

  24. 9025Thermometer

  25. 9026Instruments And Apparatus For Measuring Or Checking The Flow, Level, Pressure Or Other Variables Of Liquids Or Gases

  26. 9027Instruments And Apparatus For Physical Or Chemical Analysis

  27. 9028Gas, Liquid Or Electricity Supply Or Production Meters, Including Calibrating Meters Therefor

  28. 9029Revolution Counters, Production Counters, Taximeters, Mileometers, Pedometers And The Like

  29. 9030Oscilloscopes, Spectrum Analysers And Other Instruments And Apparatus For Measuring Or Checking Electrical Quantities

  30. 9031Measuring Or Checking Instruments, Appliances And Machines, Not Specified Or Included Elsewhere In This Chapter; Profile Projectors

  31. 9032Automatic Regulating Or Controlling Instruments And Apparatus

  32. 9033Parts And Accessories For Machines, Appliances, Instruments Or Apparatus Of Chapter 90

HSN Chapter 90 — FAQs

What does HSN Chapter 90 cover?

Chapter 90 covers optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof. It is part of Section XVIII, Optical, Medical & Precision Instruments.

How many headings are there in HSN Chapter 90?

32, numbered 9001 to 9033. Every heading's four digits begin with 90.

Does this page give the GST rate for Chapter 90 goods?

No. GST rates were revised in September 2025, and a rate is shown only once it has been checked against the CBIC rate notifications. Find the code here, then confirm its current rate there.

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