Microscopes other than optical microscopes — HTS 9012
Microscopes other than optical microscopes; diffraction apparatus; parts and accessories thereof
Chapter 90 › Heading 9012
2026 HTS Rev 19 Synced Rules verified Operational
Written to help non-specialists understand this page. Rates, dates, and legal facts come from the official records above and on the linked source.
HTS heading 9012 is a broad product category for instruments that examine very small structures without being ordinary optical microscopes. It covers non-optical microscopes, diffraction apparatus, and parts and accessories specifically designed for those instruments. The heading is organized by the kind of equipment or component involved, rather than treating every laboratory or imaging product as a microscope.
To reach the correct 8-digit HTSUS code, first identify the product’s function and operating principle, then determine whether it is a complete instrument, a part, or an accessory. Review the subheadings and statistical provisions for distinctions such as instrument type, intended use, and the material or construction of a part where those details are used. Confirm that the item belongs in heading 9012 instead of a nearby heading for optical microscopes, laboratory instruments, measuring equipment, or general-purpose components.
What to check
- Describe how the product works—such as electron, ion, scanning-probe, or diffraction technology—and do not rely only on its marketing name.
- Separate complete instruments from dedicated parts and accessories; verify that a component is principally or solely designed for the qualifying equipment.
- Read every subheading and statistical suffix under heading 9012, including any distinctions based on type, material, or construction.
- Check technical documents, catalog specifications, photographs, and invoices for the facts needed to support the classification.
- Compare nearby HTSUS headings and seek a customs broker or binding ruling when the instrument’s function or principal use is unclear.
HTS heading 9012 summary
Microscopes other than optical microscopes is a 4-digit product category containing 2 published product-code lines in this snapshot. A heading does not carry one universal duty rate; classification must be narrowed to the line matching the product facts.
How to find your code in this category
A heading is a product category. To get the exact duty, narrow from this 4-digit heading to a sub-category (usually by material), then open the 8-digit code that matches your product.
Open any code in the tables below to see its exact duty rate, a duty calculator (enter your shipment value → estimated duty and landed cost), the rate-change history chart, and the country-by-country breakdown (including Section 301/232 add-on duties).
Why you have to click in: a single category can contain products with very different duties. The rate depends on the specific product — its material and construction — and on the country of origin, and those only get pinned down at the 8-digit code level. That is why this page points you to codes instead of showing one rate for the whole category.
Product codes & duty rates
👇 Each row is a specific product code — click a blue code to open its full page with exact duty rates by country, the rate-history chart, and a duty calculator. 👉
| Code | Description | General (MFN) | Special | Column 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9012.10.00.00 👉 | Microscopes other than optical microscopes; diffraction apparatus | Free | — | 40% |
| 9012.90.00.00 👉 | Parts and accessories | Free | — | 40% |
"Special" shows the free-trade-agreement rate; open a code to see exactly which countries qualify.
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 9012?
Microscopes other than optical microscopes; diffraction apparatus; parts and accessories thereof. To classify a specific item you must pick the matching sub-category and 8-digit code above; the right choice usually depends on the material and construction of the product.
How do I choose the right code within this category?
Start from the sub-categories (typically divided by material—for example cotton versus man-made fibers), then open the active 8- or 10-digit code that matches the product. When unsure, a licensed customs broker or a CBP binding ruling can confirm the classification.
Reference information only, not customs, legal, or classification advice. Confirm the current code and rate against the official HTS before you import.