Latest trade
$672.2BGlobal sector valueHS2 sector intelligence
Optical and medical instruments
sector trade overview
A clear view of the optical and medical instruments economy: scale, momentum, market concentration, leading routes, and the products within it.
Explore the workspace Reported trade intelligence
Refreshed 2026-07-20
Refreshed 2026-07-20
The numbers at a glanceLatest reported year · 2024
Annual change
+2.3%Latest year on yearExporters
200Active reporting countriesImporters
200Active reporting countriesHS6 products
142Classifications in sectorThe sector read
$672.2B in trade, with +0.4% annualized growth over three years.
Optical and medical instruments is recorded across 18,275 active corridors, with 200 exporters and 200 importers in the latest available year.
Market signalStable+2.5% five-year CAGR
Annual trend
Momentum across three decades
Reported global trade from 1995 to 2024. Missing years remain unavailable rather than estimated. Read the methodology ↗
Top trade corridors
Where this sector moves
The leading exporter-to-importer relationships by latest reported sector trade value. See data sources ↗
Latest reported relationshipsTop 10 by trade value
| Rank | Exporter | Importer | Trade value | Growth | HS6 | Distance | FTA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MexicoMEX | USA, Puerto Rico and US Virgin IslandsUSA | $23.2B | +12.5% | 135 | 3,359 km | Yes |
| 2 | GermanyDEU | USA, Puerto Rico and US Virgin IslandsUSA | $13.0B | +4.2% | 142 | 6,402 km | No |
| 3 | ChinaCHN | USA, Puerto Rico and US Virgin IslandsUSA | $11.9B | -3.1% | 142 | 11,883 km | No |
| 4 | USA, Puerto Rico and US Virgin IslandsUSA | ChinaCHN | $11.7B | +0.2% | 142 | 11,883 km | No |
| 5 | JapanJPN | ChinaCHN | $10.2B | -13.5% | 136 | 1,763 km | No |
| 6 | USA, Puerto Rico and US Virgin IslandsUSA | MexicoMEX | $9.9B | +13.2% | 142 | 3,359 km | Yes |
| 7 | GermanyDEU | ChinaCHN | $9.7B | -6.3% | 142 | 8,415 km | No |
| 8 | IrelandIRL | USA, Puerto Rico and US Virgin IslandsUSA | $9.6B | +5.3% | 132 | 5,129 km | No |
| 9 | USA, Puerto Rico and US Virgin IslandsUSA | GermanyDEU | $8.2B | +0% | 142 | 6,402 km | No |
| 10 | USA, Puerto Rico and US Virgin IslandsUSA | NetherlandsNLD | $8.0B | +4.8% | 141 | 5,877 km | No |
Market structure
Where supply and demand concentrate
Exporter and importer rankings are separated so scale on one side of the market is not mistaken for demand on the other. Check coverage ↗
Top exporters2024 ranking
| Rank | Country | Exports | Partners | HS6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | USA, Puerto Rico and US Virgin IslandsUSA | $104.6B | 198 | 142 |
| 2 | GermanyDEU | $80.3B | 197 | 142 |
| 3 | ChinaCHN | $77.0B | 200 | 142 |
| 4 | JapanJPN | $41.5B | 193 | 142 |
| 5 | MexicoMEX | $31.9B | 152 | 142 |
| 6 | NetherlandsNLD | $30.8B | 194 | 142 |
| 7 | IrelandIRL | $23.9B | 172 | 142 |
| 8 | SingaporeSGP | $21.8B | 189 | 142 |
| 9 | Switzerland, LiechtensteinCHE | $20.7B | 190 | 142 |
| 10 | United KingdomGBR | $20.7B | 194 | 142 |
Top importers2024 ranking
| Rank | Country | Imports | Partners | HS6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | USA, Puerto Rico and US Virgin IslandsUSA | $125.9B | 185 | 142 |
| 2 | ChinaCHN | $67.8B | 162 | 142 |
| 3 | GermanyDEU | $46.7B | 180 | 142 |
| 4 | NetherlandsNLD | $34.4B | 173 | 142 |
| 5 | JapanJPN | $25.6B | 134 | 142 |
| 6 | FranceFRA | $22.3B | 188 | 142 |
| 7 | United KingdomGBR | $21.8B | 184 | 142 |
| 8 | Republic of KoreaKOR | $21.4B | 156 | 142 |
| 9 | MexicoMEX | $19.2B | 108 | 142 |
| 10 | ItalyITA | $16.7B | 155 | 142 |
HS6 product coverage
The classifications inside this sector
Explore the six-digit product classifications that make up HS2 90.
182 classifications shownBrowse the product workspace ↗
Optical fibres, optical fibre bundles and cables: excluding those of heading no. 8544HS6 900110
Optical elements: polarising material, sheets and plates thereofHS6 900120
Lenses, contact: unmounted, of any material, excluding elements of glass not optically workedHS6 900130
Lenses, spectacle: unmounted, of glass, excluding elements of glass not optically workedHS6 900140
Lenses, spectacle: unmounted, of materials other than glassHS6 900150
Optical elements: lenses n.e.c. in heading no. 9001, prisms, mirrors and other optical elements, unmounted, of any material (excluding elements of glass not optically worked)HS6 900190
Lenses: objective, for cameras, projectors or photographic enlargers or reducers, mounted, being parts or fittings for instruments or apparatus, of any material (excluding glass not optically worked)HS6 900211
Lenses: objective, (other than for cameras, projectors or photographic enlargers or reducers), mounted, of any material (excluding elements of glass not optically worked)HS6 900219
Filters: mounted as parts or fittings for instruments or apparatus, of any material (excluding elements of glass not optically worked)HS6 900220
Optical elements: n.e.s. in heading no. 9002 (eg prisms and mirrors), mounted, being parts or fittings for instruments or apparatus, of any material (excluding elements of glass not optically worked)HS6 900290
Frames and mountings: for spectacles, goggles or the like, of plasticsHS6 900311
Frames and mountings: for spectacles, goggles or the like, of materials other than plasticsHS6 900319
Frames and mountings: parts for spectacles, goggles or the likeHS6 900390
Sunglasses: corrective, protective or otherHS6 900410
Spectacles, goggles and the like: (other than sunglasses) corrective, protective or otherHS6 900490
BinocularsHS6 900510
Monoculars: other optical telescopes and astronomical instruments, excluding instruments for radio-astronomyHS6 900580
Binoculars, monoculars, other optical telescopes, astronomical instruments (excluding those of radio-astronomy): parts and accessories (including mountings)HS6 900590
Cameras, photographic (excluding cinematographic): of a kind used for preparing printing plates or cylindersHS6 900610
Cameras, photographic (excluding cinematographic): of a kind used for recording documents on microfilm, microfiche or other microformsHS6 900620
Cameras, photographic (excluding cinematographic): specially designed for underwater use, aerial survey, medical or surgical examination of internal organs: comparison cameras for forensic or criminological useHS6 900630
Cameras, photographic (excluding cinematographic): instant print camerasHS6 900640
Cameras, photographic (excluding cinematographic): with a through-the-lens viewfinder, single lens reflex (SLR), for a roll film of a width not exceeding 35mmHS6 900651
Cameras, photographic (excluding cinematographic): of a kind (not SLR) for roll film of a width less than 35mmHS6 900652
Cameras, photographic (excluding cinematographic): of a kind (not SLR) for roll film of a width of 35mmHS6 900653
Cameras, photographic (excluding cinematographic): of a kind (not SLR) for roll film n.e.s. in heading no. 9006HS6 900659
Photographic flashlight apparatus: discharge lamp (electronic)HS6 900661
Photographic flashlight apparatus: flashbulbs, flashcubes and the likeHS6 900662
Photographic flashlight apparatus: n.e.s. in heading no. 9006HS6 900669
Cameras, photographic (excluding cinematographic): parts and accessoriesHS6 900691
Photographic flashlight apparatus: parts and accessories, for other than camerasHS6 900699
Cameras, cinematographic: whether or not incorporating sound recording apparatusHS6 900710
Cameras, cinematographic: whether or not incorporating sound recording apparatus, for film of less than 16mm width or for double-8mm filmHS6 900711
Cameras, cinematographic: whether or not incorporating sound recording apparatus, for film n.e.s. in item no. 9007.11HS6 900719
Projectors, cinematographic: whether or not incorporating sound recording or reproducing apparatusHS6 900720
Projectors, cinematographic: whether or not incorporating sound reproducing apparatus, for film of less than 16mm widthHS6 900721
Projectors, cinematographic: whether or not incorporating sound reproducing apparatus, for film 16mm or more wideHS6 900729
Cameras, cinematographic: parts and accessories, whether or not incorporating sound recording apparatusHS6 900791
Projectors, cinematographic: parts and accessories, whether or not incorporating sound reproducing apparatusHS6 900792
Projectors, image: slide (excluding cinematographic)HS6 900810
Projectors, image: microfilm, microfiche or other microform readers, whether or not capable of producing copiesHS6 900820
Projectors, image: (other than slide projectors and microfilm, microfiche or other microform readers), (excluding cinematographic)HS6 900830
Photographic (excluding cinematographic) enlargers and reducersHS6 900840
Image projectors, photographic enlargers and reducers, excluding cinematographicHS6 900850
Photographic (other than cinematographic) image projectors, enlargers, and reducers: parts and accessoriesHS6 900890
Photo-copying apparatus: electrostatic, operating by reproducing the original image directly onto the copy (direct process)HS6 900911
Photo-copying apparatus: electrostatic, operating by reproducing the original image via an intermediate onto the copy (indirect process)HS6 900912
Photo-copying apparatus: (excluding electrostatic), incorporating an optical systemHS6 900921
Photocopying apparatus: (excluding electrostatic), of the contact typeHS6 900922
Thermo-copying apparatusHS6 900930
Photo and thermo-copying apparatus: parts and accessoriesHS6 900990
Photo and thermo-copying apparatus: parts and accessories: automatic document feedersHS6 900991
Photo and thermo-copying apparatus: parts and accessories: paper feedersHS6 900992
Photo and thermo-copying apparatus: parts and accessories: sortersHS6 900993
Photo and thermo-copying apparatus: other parts and accessoriesHS6 900999
Photographic laboratory apparatus and equipment: for automatically developing photographic (including cinematographic) film or paper in rolls or for automatically exposing developed film to rolls of paperHS6 901010
Photographic laboratory apparatus and equipment (including cinematographic): negatoscopes and other equipment n.e.s. in heading no. 9010HS6 901020
Photographic laboratory apparatus and equipment (including cinematographic): projection screensHS6 901030
Photographic laboratory apparatus and equipment (including cinematographic): for the projection or drawing of circuit patterns on sensitised semiconductor materials, direct write-on-wafer apparatusHS6 901041
Photographic laboratory apparatus and equipment (including cinematographic): for the projection or drawing of circuit patterns on sensitised semiconductor materials, step and repeat alignersHS6 901042
Photographic laboratory apparatus and equipment (including cinematographic): for the projection or drawing of circuit patterns on sensitised semiconductor materials, n.e.s. in item no. 9010.4HS6 901049
Photographic laboratory apparatus and equipment: n.e.c. in item no. 9010.10, for photographic (including cinematographic) laboratories: negatoscopesHS6 901050
Photographic laboratory apparatus and equipment (including cinematographic): projection screensHS6 901060
Photographic laboratory apparatus and equipment (including cinematographic): parts and accessoriesHS6 901090
Microscopes, compound optical: stereoscopic microscopesHS6 901110
Microscopes, compound optical: for photomicrography, cinephotomicrography or microprojectionHS6 901120
Microscopes, compound optical: (other than stereoscopic and microscopes for photomicrography, cinephotomicrography or microprojection)HS6 901180
Microscopes, compound optical: parts and accessories (including those for photomicrography, cinephotomicrography or microprojection)HS6 901190
Microscopes (excluding optical microscopes): diffraction apparatusHS6 901210
Microscopes (excluding optical microscopes): diffraction apparatus: parts and accessoriesHS6 901290
Optical appliances and instruments: telescopic sights for fitting to arms: periscopes: telescopes designed to form parts of machines, appliances, instruments or apparatus of this chapterHS6 901310
Lasers: other than laser diodesHS6 901320
Optical devices, appliances and instruments: n.e.c. in heading no. 9013 (including liquid crystal devices)HS6 901380
Optical appliances and instruments: parts and accessories for articles of heading no. 9013HS6 901390
Navigational instruments and appliances: direction finding compassesHS6 901410
Navigational instruments and appliances: for aeronautical or space navigation (excluding compasses)HS6 901420
Navigational instruments and appliances: for navigation other than aeronautical or space navigation (excluding direction finding compasses)HS6 901480
Navigational instruments and appliances: parts and accessoriesHS6 901490
RangefindersHS6 901510
Surveying equipment: theodolites and tacheometersHS6 901520
Surveying equipment: levelsHS6 901530
Surveying equipment: photogrammetrical surveying instruments and appliancesHS6 901540
Surveying equipment: articles n.e.c. in heading no. 9015, including hydrographic, oceanographic, hydrological, meteorological or geophysical instruments and appliances (excluding compasses)HS6 901580
Surveying equipment: parts and accessories for articles of heading no. 9015HS6 901590
Balances: of a sensitivity of 5cg or better, with or without weightsHS6 901600
Drafting tables and machines: whether or not automaticHS6 901710
Drawing, marking-out or mathematical calculating instrumentsHS6 901720
Mathematical equipment: micrometers, callipers and gaugesHS6 901730
Mathematical instruments and equipment: n.e.s. in heading no. 9017HS6 901780
Drawing, marking-out equipment and mathematical instruments: parts and accessoriesHS6 901790
Medical, surgical instruments and appliances: electro-cardiographsHS6 901811
Medical, surgical instruments and appliances: ultrasonic scanning apparatusHS6 901812
Medical, surgical instruments and appliances: magnetic resonance imaging apparatusHS6 901813
Medical, surgical instruments and appliances: scintigraphic apparatusHS6 901814
Medical, surgical instruments and appliances: electro-diagnostic apparatus (including apparatus for functional exploratory examination or for checking physiological parameters), n.e.s. in item no. 9018.1HS6 901819
Medical, surgical instruments and appliances: ultra-violet or infra-red ray apparatusHS6 901820
Medical, surgical instruments and appliances: syringes, with or without needlesHS6 901831
Medical, surgical instruments and appliances: tubular metal needles and needles for suturesHS6 901832
Medical, surgical instruments and appliances: catheters, cannulae and the likeHS6 901839
Dental instruments and appliances: dental drill engines, whether or not combined on a single base with other dental equipmentHS6 901841
Dental instruments and appliances: other than dental drill enginesHS6 901849
Ophthalmic instruments and appliancesHS6 901850
Medical, surgical or dental instruments and appliances: n.e.c. in heading no. 9018HS6 901890
Mechano-therapy appliances: massage apparatus and psychological aptitude-testing apparatusHS6 901910
Therapeutic respiration apparatus: ozone, oxygen, aerosol therapy apparatus: artificial respiration or other therapeutic respiration apparatusHS6 901920
Breathing appliances and gas masks: excluding protective masks having neither mechanical parts nor replaceable filters and excluding apparatus of item no. 9019.20HS6 902000
Orthopaedic or fracture appliancesHS6 902110
Orthopaedic or fracture appliances: artificial jointsHS6 902111
Orthopaedic or fracture appliances: crutches, surgical belts and trusses, splints and other fracture appliancesHS6 902119
Dental fittings: artificial teethHS6 902121
Dental fittings: other than artificial teethHS6 902129
Artificial parts of the bodyHS6 902130
Artificial parts of the bodyHS6 902131
Artificial parts of the body: excluding artificial jointsHS6 902139
Hearing aids (excluding parts and accessories)HS6 902140
Pacemakers: for stimulating heart muscles (excluding parts and accessories)HS6 902150
Appliances: worn, carried or implanted in the body, to compensate for a defect or disabilityHS6 902190
Apparatus based on the use of x-rays, including radiography or radiotherapy apparatus: for medical, surgical, dental or veterinary usesHS6 902211
Apparatus based on the use of x-rays: including radiography or radiotherapy apparatus, whether or not for medical, surgical, dental or veterinary uses, computed tomography apparatusHS6 902212
Apparatus based on the use of x-rays: including radiography or radiotherapy apparatus, for dental uses, excluding computed tomography apparatusHS6 902213
Apparatus based on the use of x-rays: including radiography or radiotherapy apparatus, for medical, surgical or veterinary uses, not dental uses, excluding computed tomography apparatusHS6 902214
Apparatus based on the use of x-rays, including radiography or radiotherapy apparatus: for other than medical, surgical, dental or veterinary usesHS6 902219
Apparatus based on the use of alpha, beta or gamma radiations, including radiography or radiotherapy apparatus: for medical, surgical, dental or veterinary usesHS6 902221
Apparatus based on the use of alpha, beta or gamma radiations, including radiography or radiotherapy apparatus: (for other than medical, surgical, dental or veterinary uses)HS6 902229
X-ray tubesHS6 902230
Apparatus based on use of x-rays and similar: parts and accessories (x-ray generators, tubes, high tension generators, control panels and desks, screens, examination or treatment tables, chairs and likeHS6 902290
Instruments, apparatus and models: designed for demonstrational purposes (in education or exhibitions), unsuitable for other usesHS6 902300
Machines and appliances: for testing the hardness, strength, compressibility, elasticity or other mechanical properties of metalsHS6 902410
Machines and appliances: for testing the hardness, strength, compressibility, elasticity or other mechanical properties of materials other than metalsHS6 902480
Machines and appliances: parts and accessories for those testing hardness, strength, compressibility, elasticity or other mechanical properties of materials (eg metal, wood, textiles, paper, plastics)HS6 902490
Thermometers and pyrometers: liquid filled, for direct reading, not combined with other instrumentsHS6 902511
Thermometers and pyrometers: (other than liquid filled, for direct reading), not combined with other instrumentsHS6 902519
Barometers: not combined with other instrumentsHS6 902520
Hydrometers and similar floating instruments, barometers, hygrometers, psychrometers, thermometers, pyrometers: recording or not, any combination of these instruments (excluding thermometers and barometers not combined with other instruments)HS6 902580
Hydrometers and similar floating instruments, barometers, hygrometers, psychrometers, thermometers, pyrometers: recording or not, any combination of these instruments, parts and accessoriesHS6 902590
Instruments and apparatus: for measuring or checking the flow or level of liquidsHS6 902610
Instruments and apparatus: for measuring or checking pressureHS6 902620
Instruments and apparatus: for measuring or checking variables of liquids or gases (excluding pressure or the flow and level of liquids and those of heading no. 9014, 9015, 9028 and 9032)HS6 902680
Instruments and apparatus: parts and accessories for those measuring or checking the flow, level, pressure or other variables of liquids or gases (excluding those of heading no. 9014, 9015, 9028 or 9032)HS6 902690
Instruments and apparatus: gas or smoke analysis apparatus, for physical or chemical analysisHS6 902710
Chromatographs and electrophoresis instrumentsHS6 902720
Spectrometers, spectrophotometers and spectrographs: using optical radiations (UV, visible, IR)HS6 902730
Exposure metersHS6 902740
Instruments and apparatus: using optical radiations (UV, visible, IR), (other than spectrometers, spectrophotometers and spectrographs)HS6 902750
Instruments and apparatus: for physical or chemical analysis, for measuring or checking viscosity, porosity, expansion, surface tension or quantities of heat, sound or light, n.e.c. in heading no. 9027HS6 902780
Instruments and apparatus: for physical or chemical analysis, for measuring or checking viscosity, porosity, expansion, surface tension or quantities of heat, sound or light, mass spectrometersHS6 902781
Instruments and apparatus: for physical or chemical analysis, for measuring or checking viscosity, porosity, expansion, surface tension or quantities of heat, sound or light, exposure metersHS6 902789
Microtomes and parts and accessories thereofHS6 902790
Meters: gas, supply or production meters, including calibrating meters thereofHS6 902810
Meters: liquid supply or production meters, including calibrating meters thereofHS6 902820
Meters: electricity supply or production meters, including calibrating meters thereofHS6 902830
Meters: parts and accessories of gas, liquid, electricity supply or production meters, including calibrating meters thereofHS6 902890
Meters and counters: revolution counters, production counters, taximeters, mileometers, pedometers and the likeHS6 902910
Meters: speed indicators and tachometers: stroboscopesHS6 902920
Meters and counters: parts and accessories for revolution and production counters, taximeters, mileometers, pedometers and the like: speed indicators, tachometers (excluding heading no. 9015), stroboscopesHS6 902990
Instruments and apparatus: for measuring or detecting ionising radiationsHS6 903010
Cathode-ray oscilloscopes and cathode-ray oscillographsHS6 903020
Multimeters: for measuring or checking voltage, current, resistance or power, without a recording deviceHS6 903031
Multimeters: for measuring or checking voltage, current, resistance or power, with a recording deviceHS6 903032
Instruments and apparatus: for measuring or checking voltage, current, resistance or power, without a recording device (excluding multimeters)HS6 903033
Instruments and apparatus: for measuring or checking voltage, current, resistance or power, without a recording device (excluding multimeters)HS6 903039
Instruments and apparatus: specially designed for telecommunications (e.g. cross-talk meters, gain measuring instruments, distortion factor meters, psophometers)HS6 903040
Instruments and apparatus: with a recording device, specially designed for telecommunications (eg cross-talk meters, gain measuring instruments, distortion factor meters, psophometers)HS6 903081
Instruments and apparatus: for measuring or checking semiconductor wafers or devicesHS6 903082
Instruments and apparatus: for measuring or detecting alpha, beta, gamma, x-ray, cosmic or other ionising radiations, with a recording deviceHS6 903083
Instruments and apparatus: n.e.c. in heading no. 9030, with a recording deviceHS6 903084
Instruments and apparatus: for measuring or detecting alpha, beta, gamma, x-ray, cosmic or other ionising radiations, without a recording deviceHS6 903089
Instruments, apparatus for measuring, checking electrical quantities, not meters of heading no. 9028: parts and accessories, for measuring or detecting alpha, beta, gamma, x-ray, cosmic and other radiationsHS6 903090
Machines: for balancing mechanical partsHS6 903110
Test benchesHS6 903120
Profile projectorsHS6 903130
Optical instruments and appliances: for measuring or checking, n.e.s. in chapter 90HS6 903140
Optical instruments and appliances: for inspecting semiconductor wafers or devices or for inspecting photomasks or reticles used in manufacturing semiconductor devices, n.e.s. in chapter 90HS6 903141
Optical instruments and appliances: for measuring or checking, n.e.s. in chapter 90HS6 903149
Instruments, appliances and machines: for measuring or checking n.e.c. in chapter 90HS6 903180
Instruments, appliances and machines: parts and accessories for those measuring or checking devices of heading no. 9031HS6 903190
Regulating or controlling instruments and apparatus: automatic type, thermostatsHS6 903210
Regulating or controlling instruments and apparatus: automatic, manostatsHS6 903220
Regulating or controlling instruments and apparatus: automatic, hydraulic or pneumaticHS6 903281
Regulating or controlling instruments and apparatus: automatic, other than hydraulic or pneumaticHS6 903289
Regulating or controlling instruments and apparatus: automatic, parts and accessoriesHS6 903290
Machines and appliances: instruments or apparatus of chapter 90: parts and accessories n.e.c. in chapter 90HS6 903300
Definitions and coverage
Read the numbers with context
Clear definitions keep reported observations and calculated indicators in their proper context. Read our Responsible AI principles ↗
Reported values
Trade values describe reported merchandise trade for the HS2 classification. They are not company-level sales, retail quotes, or shipment records.
Calculated indicators
Growth, concentration, volatility, and peak comparisons are calculated from reported observations and should be read with their coverage period.
Missing data
A missing observation remains unavailable. It is not filled, interpolated, or presented as a forecast.
Coverage: 1995–2024 · Data refreshed 2026-07-20 09:34:08
Data source
OECD trade statistics with CEPII context
OECD (2025), Balanced international merchandise trade statistics (BIMTS) - HS2017-6D, OECD Data Explorer (accessed on 2026-08-27). OECD BIMTS is the primary trade series for this view. Supporting bilateral trade context uses CEPII BACI bilateral trade flows (202601) under Etalab 2.0 Open Licence. Yugalinks presents derived views of reported observations and calculated indicators. Data terms: OECD Terms & Conditions.