HS Code 9016Balances; of a sensitivity of 5cg or better, with or without weights

What HS code 9016 covers

The heading text names balances with a sensitivity of 5cg or better. Here, cg means centigram. The better the sensitivity, the smaller the change in weight the balance can detect. Only fine instruments are meant here, not ordinary shop scales.

The words “with or without weights” matter too. A balance sold alone and a balance sold with its set of weights both belong to this heading.

People search for these goods under many names. You may see analytical balances, laboratory balances, electrical balances or jewelers balances. Those are trade names, not customs terms. What decides the heading is the sensitivity of the instrument, not the name on the box.

The heading sits in Chapter 90, the chapter for measuring instruments and related apparatus. It is part of the WCO Harmonized System, the shared code list that customs offices around the world use. In some countries you will see it called the HSN code 9016.

HS 901600: the only code under this heading

There are no further splits at the six-digit level. So HS 901600 is the code to use when you need the international standard for these balances.

Many countries add extra digits for their own needs. Those longer national codes can split balances into types. They differ from country to country, so we do not list them here. Check the tariff of the country you ship to or from before you file.

If you are not sure that your product belongs here, the HS code classifier can help you narrow it down.

How to tell 9016 from nearby Chapter 90 headings

Chapter 90 holds many measuring tools. Some look similar to a balance but sit in other headings. Start with one question: does the instrument weigh with a sensitivity of 5cg or better? If yes, it points to 9016. If not, look at the headings below.

The key test is what the tool measures and how finely it does so.

• 9017: drawing tools and instruments that measure length, such as callipers and micrometers.
• 9024: machines that test the hardness, strength or elasticity of materials.
• 9031: measuring or checking instruments not named in any other heading of the chapter.
• 9015 and 9027: surveying tools, and instruments for physical or chemical analysis.

Are parts of balances classified under 9016?

The text of 9016 names balances. It does not name their parts.

Rules differ between countries and between cases. A part made for one specific machine may be treated differently from a general part. Always verify the national tariff, or ask the customs office, before you file.

Who imports balances under HS code 9016: import and export data

EximDataX shows shipment-level import and export records from official customs sources. Coverage: 43 direct customs feeds plus 184 mirror-derived countries. Named buyers and named suppliers are available in 38 of the 43 direct markets. Most markets refresh weekly and some refresh daily.

You can search by HS code to see who imports and exports a product, and book a free demo. Use 901600 to find the shipment records for balances, then look at the buyers and suppliers behind them.

Other headings in Chapter 90

If your product is not a balance, one of the sibling headings may fit better. Browse the full chapter for the complete list, or jump to the headings that most often get confused with this one: 9017, 9024, 9031 and 9033.