Instruments and appliances used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences, including scintigraphic apparatus, other electro-medical apparatus and sight-testing instruments
9018.50.00 — Other ophthalmic instruments and appliances
Thiết bị và dụng cụ nhãn khoa khác
Unit: chiếc/bộ (unit)
HS code 90185000 covers other ophthalmic instruments and appliances under heading 9018 (instruments and appliances used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences, including scintigraphic apparatus, other electro-medical apparatus and sight-testing instruments), Chapter 90. The MFN import duty is 0%; the lowest FTA rate is 0% under ASEAN - China (ACFTA) (C/O form E required). VAT: 5/8/10%. Unit of quantity: unit.
MFN import duty
0%
Lowest FTA
0%
ASEAN - China (ACFTA)
VAT
5/8/10%
Excise / Env. tax
—
Not subject
Distinguish from heading:9011Compo…9209Parts…9022Appar…3006Pharm…3822Diagn…4014Hygie…9017Drawi…7010Carbo…
Import duty comparison across FTA schedules
Full table with legal documents & effective dates
| Tax / Schedule | Rate | Document | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preferential import duty (MFN) | 0% | 26/2023/NĐ-CP | 15/07/2023 |
| Ordinary import duty | 5% | 15/2023/QĐ-TTg | 15/07/2023 |
| ASEAN (ATIGA)(2026) | 0% | 126/2022/NĐ-CP | 30/12/2022 |
| ASEAN - China (ACFTA) | 0% | 118/2022/NĐ-CP | 30/12/2022 |
| ASEAN - Japan (AJCEP)(01/04/2026 - 31/3/2027) | 0% | 120/2022/NĐ-CP | 30/12/2022 |
| Vietnam - Japan (VJEPA)(1/4/2026 - 31/3/2027) | 0% | 124/2022/NĐ-CP | 30/12/2022 |
| ASEAN - Korea (AKFTA) | 0% | 119/2022/NĐ-CP | 30/12/2022 |
| ASEAN - Australia/New Zealand (AANZFTA) | 0% | 121/2022/NĐ-CP | 30/12/2022 |
| ASEAN - India (AIFTA)(01/01/2026 - 31/12/2026) | 0% | 122/2022/NĐ-CP | 30/12/2022 |
| Vietnam - Korea (VKFTA)(2026) | 0% | 125/2022/NĐ-CP | 30/12/2022 |
| Vietnam - Chile (VCFTA)(2026) | 0% | 112/2022/NĐ-CP | 30/12/2022 |
| Vietnam - Eurasian Economic Union (VN-EAEU)(2026) | 0% | 113/2022/NĐ-CP | 30/12/2022 |
| CPTPP Agreement(2026) | 0% | 115/2022/NĐ-CP | 30/12/2022 |
| ASEAN - Hong Kong (AHKFTA)(2026) | 0% | 123/2022/NĐ-CP | 30/12/2022 |
| Vietnam - EU (EVFTA)(2026) | 0% | 116/2022/NĐ-CP | 30/12/2022 |
| Vietnam - UK (UKVFTA)(2026) | 0% | 117/2022/NĐ-CP | 30/12/2022 |
| Vietnam - Laos | 0% | 206/2025/NĐ-CP | 15/07/2025 |
| Vietnam - Israel (VIFTA)(2026) | 0% | 131/2024/NĐ-CP | 15/10/2024 |
| RCEP - Group A (ASEAN)(2026) | 0% | 129/2022/NĐ-CP | 30/12/2022 |
| RCEP - Group B (China)(2026) | 0% | 129/2022/NĐ-CP | 30/12/2022 |
| RCEP - Group C (Korea)(2026) | 0% | 129/2022/NĐ-CP | 30/12/2022 |
| RCEP - Group D (Japan)(2026) | 0% | 129/2022/NĐ-CP | 30/12/2022 |
| RCEP - Group E (Australia)(2026) | 0% | 129/2022/NĐ-CP | 30/12/2022 |
| RCEP - Group F (New Zealand)(2026) | 0% | 129/2022/NĐ-CP | 30/12/2022 |
FTA schedules are cut annually: the rate shown applies to the period in brackets, per the decree's appendix.
VAT · Excise tax · Environmental protection tax
| Tax / Schedule | Rate | Document | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|
| Value added tax (VAT) | 5/8/10% | 181/2025/NĐ-CP | 01/07/2025 |
Rules of origin by FTA
To claim an FTA rate the goods must meet the origin criterion below AND carry a valid C/O — the right HS code alone is not enough.
- Other ophthalmic instruments and appliances
RVC(40), or CTH, or no change of subheading, provided that those machines, tools and equipment are produced from parts made solely for machines, tools or equipment of that same subheading
RVC(40) hoặc CTH hoặc Không thay đổi phân nhóm với điều kiện máy móc, dụng cụ, và thiết bị này được sản xuất từ các bộ phận được sản xuất duy nhất cho máy móc, dụng cụ hoặc thiết bị thuộc cùng phân nhóm đó
CTHRVC40
Source: Circular No. 44/2025/TT-BCT · annex uses HS 2022 while this site uses AHTN 2022 — check headings that changed between versions
- Other ophthalmic instruments and appliances
RVC40; or CTH; or no change in tariff classification required, provided that those machines, tools and equipment are produced from parts of the same subheading made specifically for that machine, tool or equipment
RVC40; hoặc CTH; hoặc không yêu cầu Chuyển đổi mã số hàng hóa với điều kiện máy móc, dụng cụ và thiết bị này được sản xuất từ các bộ phận thuộc cùng phân nhóm được sản xuất riêng cho máy móc, dụng cụ hoặc thiết bị đó
CTHRVC40
Source: Circular No. 03/2023/TT-BCT · annex uses HS 2022 while this site uses AHTN 2022 — check headings that changed between versions
- Other ophthalmic instruments and appliances
CTSH; hoặc RVC không thấp hơn: a) 30% theo công thức tính trực tiếp; hoặc b) 40% theo công thức tính gián tiếp; hoặc c) 50% theo công thức tính giá trị tập trung đối với nguyên liệu không có xuất xứ thuộc phân nhóm 9018.50.
CTSH
Source: Circular No. 03/2019/TT-BCT · annex uses HS 2012 while this site uses AHTN 2022 — check headings that changed between versions
Dụng cụ, thiết bị quang học, nhiếp ảnh, điện ảnh, đo lường, kiểm tra độ chính xác, y tế hoặc phẫu thuật; các bộ phận và phụ kiện của chúng, ngoại trừ:
Manufacture using materials of any heading, except that of the product; or the value of the materials used does not exceed 70% of the ex-works price of the product.
Sử dụng nguyên liệu từ bất kỳ Nhóm nào để sản xuất, ngoại trừ Nhóm của sản phẩm; hoặc Trị giá nguyên liệu được sử dụng không vượt quá 70% giá xuất xưởng của sản phẩm.
Source: Circular No. 14/2026/TT-BCT
Instruments and appliances used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences, including scintigraphic apparatus, other electro-medical apparatus and sight-testing instruments
CTH or RVC40
CTH hoặc RVC40
CTHRVC40
Source: Circular No. 32/2022/TT-BCT · annex uses HS 2022 while this site uses AHTN 2022 — check headings that changed between versions
Dụng cụ, thiết bị quang học, nhiếp ảnh, điện ảnh, đo lường, kiểm tra độ chính xác, y tế hoặc phẫu thuật; các bộ phận và phụ kiện của chúng, ngoại trừ:
Manufacture from materials of any heading, except that of the product; or the value of the materials does not exceed 70% of the ex-works price of the product.
Sản xuất từ nguyên liệu thuộc bất kỳ Nhóm nào, ngoại trừ Nhóm của sản phẩm; hoặc trị giá nguyên liệu không vượt quá 70% giá xuất xưởng của sản phẩm.
Source: Circular No. 02/2021/TT-BCT
Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof
CTH
CTH
or
60%
Source: Circular No. 11/2024/TT-BCT
- Other ophthalmic instruments and appliances
CTH or RVC(40)
CTH hoặc RVC(40)
CTHRVC40
Source: Circular No. 09/2022/TT-BCT · annex uses HS 2017 while this site uses AHTN 2022 — check headings that changed between versions
- Other ophthalmic instruments and appliances
CTH or VAC 40%
CTH hoặc VAC 40%
CTH
Source: Circular No. 01/2024/TT-BCT · annex uses HS 2022 while this site uses AHTN 2022 — check headings that changed between versions
- Other ophthalmic instruments and appliances
RVC(40) or CTH
RVC(40) hoặc CTH
CTHRVC40
Source: Circular No. 08/2020/TT-BCT
Agreements with no rule specific to this code
This code carries a preferential rate under the agreements below but has no line of its own in the product-specific rules annex. The goods must still meet an origin requirement.
The agreement sets a general rule for codes outside the annex:
1. The goods referred to in Clause 3, Article 5 of this Circular, other than the goods provided in Clause 2 of this Article, are considered originating if:
a) The goods have a regional value content (RVC) of not less than 40% of the FOB value calculated in accordance with Article 8 of this Circular and the last production process is carried out in a Member State; or
b) Goods of Chapters 25, 26, 28, 29, 31 and 39; Chapters 42 to 49; Chapters 57 to 59; Chapters 61, 62 and 64; Chapters 66 to 71; Chapters 73 to 83; Chapters 86 and 88; and Chapters 91 to 97 of the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System using non-originating materials undergo a change in tariff classification at the 4-digit level (CTH), except for headings 29.01, 29.02, 31.05, 39.01, 39.02, 39.03, 39.07 and 39.08, to which the RVC 40% origin criterion applies.
CTHRVC40
Source: Circular No. 12/2019/TT-BCT · Article 7(1)
The agreement sets a general rule for codes outside the annex:
1. The goods referred to in Clause 3, Article 5 of this Circular, other than the goods provided in Clause 2 of this Article, are considered originating if they have an RVC of not less than 40% calculated in accordance with Article 8 of this Circular.
Source: Circular No. 21/2019/TT-BCT · Article 7(1)
The agreement sets a general rule for codes outside the annex:
1. Products referred to in Clause 2, Article 2 are considered originating if:
a) The AIFTA content is not less than thirty-five per cent (35%) of the FOB value; and
b) The non-originating materials used in the production of that product have undergone a change in tariff classification at the six (6)-digit level (CTSH) of the Harmonized System.
provided that the last production process is carried out in the territory of the exporting Member State.
CTSH
Source: Circular No. 15/2010/TT-BCT · Article 4(1) of Appendix 1
The agreement sets a general rule for codes outside the annex:
1. For the purposes of paragraph 2 of Article 5 of this Circular, goods shall be considered as originating in a Member State in one of the following cases:
a) The Regional Value Content (RVC) is not less than 40%, calculated according to the formula provided for in Article 8 of this Circular, and the final process of production is performed in that Member State.
b) All non-originating materials used in the production of the goods have undergone a change in tariff classification (CTC) at the four (04)-digit level (change of Heading) of the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System in that Member State.
The exporter of each Member State may choose to apply the origin criterion provided for in point a or point b of paragraph 1 of this Article to determine the origin of goods.
CTC
Source: Circular No. 37/2022/TT-BCT · Article 7(1)
The agreement sets a general rule for codes outside the annex:
1. For the purposes of point b clause 1 Article 5 of this Circular, goods not covered by Article 8 of this Circular shall be considered as originating if they have a regional value content (hereinafter referred to as RVC) of at least 40% of the FOB value, or if they have undergone a change in tariff classification at the 4-digit level (hereinafter referred to as CTH) of the Harmonized System.
CTH
Source: Circular No. 49/2025/TT-BCT · Article 7(1)
The agreement sets a general rule for codes outside the annex:
1. For the purposes of Clause 2, Article 2, goods are considered originating in the Member State where the production or processing took place if:
a) The goods have a regional value content (RVC) of not less than forty per cent (40%), calculated in accordance with Article 5; or
b) All the non-originating materials used in the production of those goods undergo a change in tariff classification (hereinafter referred to as “CTC”) at the four (4)-digit level (that is, a change of heading) of the Harmonized System.
2. Each Member State shall allow the exporter to use either of the criteria provided at Point a, Clause 1 or Point b, Clause 1 of this Article to determine the origin of the goods.
CTC
Source: Circular No. 31/2013/TT-BCT · Article 4(1)
The agreement sets a general rule for codes outside the annex:
1. For the purposes of Clause 2, Article 2, goods are considered originating in a Member State if:
a) The goods have a local value content (hereinafter referred to as “LVC”), calculated in accordance with the formula provided in Article 5, of not less than forty (40) per cent, and the last production process for those goods is carried out in that Member State; or
b) All non-originating materials used in the production of the goods in that Member State have undergone a change in tariff classification (hereinafter referred to as CTC) at the 4-digit level (change of heading) under the Harmonized System.
CTCLVC
Source: Circular No. 10/2009/TT-BCT · Article 4(1) of Appendix 1
The agreement sets a general rule for codes outside the annex:
1. General origin criterion
a) Goods specified in Clause 2 of Article 2 shall be considered as originating in the Member State where the working or processing of those goods has taken place if:
- The goods have a regional value content (hereinafter referred to as the “Viet Nam - Laos value content” or the “regional value content (LVC)”) of not less than forty percent (40%), calculated in accordance with the formula provided in Article 5; or
- All non-originating materials used in the production of those goods have undergone a change in tariff classification (hereinafter referred to as “CTC”) at the four (4)-digit level (meaning a change of heading) of the Harmonized System.
b) Each Member State shall allow the exporter of the goods to decide to use either of the two criteria “LVC of not less than forty percent (40%)” or “change in tariff classification at the four (04)-digit level” referred to at point a of Clause 1 in order to determine the origin of the goods.
CTCLVC
Source: Circular No. 04/2010/TT-BCT · Article 4(1) of Appendix 1
Criteria are quoted verbatim from the Vietnamese circular, not paraphrased.
Commodity policy for this HS code
Unofficial English rendering of the Vietnamese source; the document numbers link to the full text.
Managing authority: Ministry of Industry and Trade
- Used medical equipment banned from import (08/2023/TT-BCT - PL1.III)Prohibited· Ministry of Industry and Trade
Related documents (full text)
Notes for Chapter 90 — Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof
Notes
1. This Chapter does not cover:
(a) Articles of a kind used in machines, appliances or for other technical uses, of vulcanised rubber other than hard rubber (heading 40.16), of leather or of composition leather (heading 42.05) or of textile material (heading 59.11);
(b) Supporting belts or other support articles of textile material, whose intended effect on the organ to be supported or held derives solely from their elasticity (for example, maternity belts, thoracic support bandages, abdominal support bandages, supports for joints or muscles) (Section XI);
(c) Refractory goods of heading 69.03; ceramic wares for laboratory, chemical or other technical uses, of heading 69.09;
(d) Glass mirrors, not optically worked, of heading 70.09, or mirrors of base metal or of precious metal, not being optical elements (heading 83.06 or Chapter 71);
(e) Goods of heading 70.07, 70.08, 70.11, 70.14, 70.15 or 70.17;
(f) Parts of general use, as defined in Note 2 to Section XV, of base metal (Section XV) or similar goods of plastics (Chapter 39); however, articles specially designed for use exclusively in implants in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences are to be classified in heading 90.21;
(g) Pumps incorporating measuring devices, of heading 84.13; weight-operated counting or checking machinery, or separately presented weights for balances (heading 84.23); lifting or handling machinery (headings 84.25 to 84.28); paper or paperboard cutting machines of all kinds (heading 84.41); fittings for adjusting work or tools on machine-tools or water-jet cutting machines, of heading 84.66, including fittings with optical devices for reading the scale (for example, “optical” dividing heads) but not those which are in themselves essentially optical instruments (for example, alignment telescopes); calculating machines (heading 84.70); valves or other appliances of heading 84.81; machines and apparatus (including apparatus for the projection or drawing of circuit patterns on sensitised semiconductor materials) of heading 84.86;
(h) Searchlights or spotlights of a kind used for cycles or motor vehicles (heading 85.12); portable electric lamps of heading 85.13; cinematographic sound recording, reproducing or re‑recording apparatus (heading 85.19); sound‑heads (heading 85.22); television cameras, digital cameras and video camera recorders (heading 85.25); radar apparatus, radio navigational aid apparatus or radio remote control apparatus (heading 85.26); connectors for optical fibres, optical fibre bundles or cables (heading 85.36); numerical control apparatus of heading 85.37; sealed beam lamp units of heading 85.39; optical fibre cables of heading 85.44;
(ij) Searchlights or spotlights of heading 94.05;
(k) Articles of Chapter 95;
(l) Monopods, bipods, tripods and similar articles, of heading 96.20;
(m) Capacity measures, which are to be classified according to their constituent material; or
(n) Spools, reels or similar supports (which are to be classified according to their constituent material, for example, in heading 39.23 or Section XV).
2. Subject to Note 1 above, parts and accessories for machines, apparatus, instruments or articles of this Chapter are to be classified according to the following rules:
(a) Parts and accessories which are goods included in any of the headings of this Chapter or of Chapter 84, 85 or 91 (other than heading 84.87, 85.48 or 90.33) are in all cases to be classified in their respective headings;
(b) Other parts and accessories, if suitable for use solely or principally with a particular kind of machine, instrument or apparatus, or with a number of machines, instruments or apparatus of the same heading (including a machine, instrument or apparatus of heading 90.10, 90.13 or 90.31) are to be classified with the machines, instruments or apparatus of that kind;
(c) All other parts and accessories are to be classified in heading 90.33.
3. The provisions of Notes 3 and 4 to Section XVI apply also to this Chapter.
4. Heading 90.05 does not apply to telescopic sights for fitting to arms, periscopic telescopes for fitting to submarines or tanks, or to telescopes for machines, appliances, instruments or apparatus of this Chapter or Section XVI; such telescopic sights and telescopes are to be classified in heading 90.13.
5. Measuring or checking optical instruments, appliances or machines which, but for this Note, could be classified both in heading 90.13 and in heading 90.31 are to be classified in heading 90.31.
6. For the purposes of heading 90.21, the expression “orthopaedic appliances” means appliances for:
Orthopaedic appliances include footwear and special insoles designed to correct orthopaedic conditions, provided that they are either (1) made to measure or (2) mass-produced, presented singly and not in pairs and designed to fit either foot equally.
7. Heading 90.32 applies only to:
(a) Instruments and apparatus for automatically controlling the flow, level, pressure or other variables of liquids or gases, or for automatically controlling temperature, whether or not their operation depends on an electrical phenomenon which varies according to the factor to be automatically controlled, which are designed to bring this factor to, and maintain it at, a desired value, stabilised against disturbances, by constantly or periodically measuring its actual value; and
(b) Automatic regulators of electrical quantities, and instruments or apparatus for automatically controlling non‑electrical quantities the operation of which depends on an electrical phenomenon varying according to the factor to be controlled, which are designed to bring this factor to, and maintain it at, a desired value, stabilised against disturbances, by constantly or periodically measuring its actual value.
Vietnam trade in subheading 9018.50
Figures cover the whole 6-digit subheading 9018.50, not code 90185000 alone — UN Comtrade only publishes to 6 digits. Latest year available for Vietnam is 2023.
Imports
- 202118 mn USD
- 202226 mn USD
- 202332 mn USD
Top partners 2023
- Germany13 mn USD
- Switzerland6 mn USD
- USA5 mn USD
- Japan3 mn USD
- Rep. of Korea1 mn USD
- Singapore999,563 USD
- China734,031 USD
- Poland520,053 USD
Exports
- 202114 mn USD
- 202213 mn USD
- 202314 mn USD
Top partners 2023
- Japan4 mn USD
- China3 mn USD
- Russian Federation844,773 USD
- Germany842,739 USD
- Thailand808,312 USD
- USA799,041 USD
- France369,746 USD
- Chile274,288 USD
2024: as reported by partner countries
Vietnam has not filed 2024 yet, so this is rebuilt from what its 19 largest trading partners reported about trade with Vietnam (85% of Vietnam's trade). Not the same measure as the figures above — compare it only with the 2023 row beside it.
| Flow | 2023 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exports | 17 mn USD | 27 mn USD | +56% |
| Imports | 43 mn USD | 27 mn USD | -38% |
- Exports 2023: partners reported 17 mn USD where Vietnam reported 14 mn USD — 1.21× on this measure.
- Imports 2023: partners reported 43 mn USD where Vietnam reported 32 mn USD — 1.34× on this measure.
The gap is not a rounding difference: goods re-exported through Hong Kong or Singapore, a different heading chosen by the importing customs, and origin-based versus destination-based attribution all pull the two measures apart. Use the year-on-year change, not the level.
Source: UN Comtrade (preview API) — reported by Vietnam. Partner totals are as reported and may differ from partner-country statistics.
Corresponding US tariff lines
Six digits are identical worldwide under the HS Convention, so 9018.50 is the same subheading in both schedules. What differs is how each country splits it: below are the 1 US line under 9018.50.
| US HTS code | Description | General duty |
|---|---|---|
| 9018.50.00.00 | Other ophthalmic instruments and appliances and parts and accessories thereof(No.) | Free |
Additional Chapter 99 duties apply to goods of Vietnam
- 9903.02.69 +20% — The duty provided in the applicable subheading + 20%
- 9903.05.84 +12.5% — The duty provided in the applicable subheading + 12.5%
These are added to the General duty above, not in place of it. Whether a given article falls inside their scope — and the exclusion lists — is set out in the U.S. notes to Chapter 99, which are prose and not machine-readable, so this site does not assign them per code. Check the official schedule before quoting a landed cost.
Already terminated: 9903.01.72 +46%
The General column is the rate for Vietnam: the Special column lists US preference programmes (GSP, USMCA, KORUS…) and Vietnam is in none of them. Source: USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States — 2026 HTS Revision 13. For reference only — classification on import is decided by US Customs, and anti-dumping, countervailing and Section 232/301 measures are not covered here.
Corresponding Japanese tariff lines
9018.50 is the same subheading in both schedules (six digits are identical worldwide under the HS Convention). Vietnamese goods can enter Japan under four parallel preference routes — the columns below — and the exporter picks whichever C/O gives the better rate.
| Line | Description | MFN | VJEPA | AJCEP | CPTPP | RCEP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9018.50 | Other ophthalmic instruments and appliances | Free | — | — | — | — |
MFN is the lowest of the schedule's General/Temporary/WTO columns (hover to see all three). The preference columns require the matching certificate of origin; an em dash means that agreement gives no preference for the line. Source: Japan's Tariff Schedule, Japan Customs (as of July 9, 2026). For reference only — classification on import is decided by Japan Customs.
Codes at the same level under 9018
Check neighbouring codes to make sure the classification fits best.
- —Electro-diagnostic apparatus (including apparatus for functional exploratory examination or for checking physiological parameters):
- 90182000Ultra-violet or infra-red ray apparatus
- —Syringes, needles, catheters, cannulae and the like:
- —Other instruments and appliances, used in dental sciences:
- 901890Other instruments and appliances:
Data updated: 01/08/2026 · Found wrong or missing data? Report a data error