Medical instruments imports in Lebanon: data, top suppliers and prices
Lebanon imported $91.4 million of medical instruments in 2024 (2.6 thousand tonnes). That is 11% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2018, at $133.7 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $91.4M | 2.6K t |
| 2023 | $82.2M | 2.1K t |
| 2022 | $61.1M | 1.5K t |
| 2021 | $67.8M | 1.8K t |
| 2020 | $84.3M | 1.8K t |
| 2019 | $130.3M | 2.1K t |
| 2018 | $133.7M | 2.6K t |
| 2017 | $106.8M | 2.2K t |
Where Lebanon imports medical instruments from
Most of the value came from United States (16%), China (15%), Germany (13%). Trade is spread widely: the top three suppliers together make up only 43%. Among the main suppliers, Belgium grew fastest (+271% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $14.4M | 16% |
| China | $13.3M | 15% |
| Germany | $11.7M | 13% |
| Italy | $5.8M | 6.3% |
| Netherlands | $5.0M | 5.5% |
| Belgium | $3.7M | 4% |
| Mexico | $3.3M | 3.6% |
| South Korea | $2.9M | 3.2% |
| France | $2.9M | 3.2% |
| Costa Rica | $2.6M | 2.9% |
Product types under HS 9018
| 9018.90 | Medical, surgical or dental instruments and appliances: n.e.c. in heading no. 9018 | 39% |
| 9018.39 | Medical, surgical instruments and appliances: catheters, cannulae and the like | 24% |
| 9018.19 | Medical, surgical instruments and appliances: electro-diagnostic apparatus (including apparatus for functional exploratory examination or for… | 8.8% |
| 9018.49 | Dental instruments and appliances: other than dental drill engines | 5.9% |
| 9018.13 | Medical, surgical instruments and appliances: magnetic resonance imaging apparatus | 5.5% |
| 9018.12 | Medical, surgical instruments and appliances: ultrasonic scanning apparatus | 5.4% |
| 9018.50 | Ophthalmic instruments and appliances | 4% |
| 9018.31 | Medical, surgical instruments and appliances: syringes, with or without needles | 3.1% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 9018.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $35.24 per kg, close to the world average of $37.39.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Medical instruments exports from Lebanon
Lebanon exported $6.1 million of medical instruments in 2024 (421 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were United Arab Emirates (25%), Sweden (15%), China (13%). Among the main buyer markets, Netherlands grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | $1.5M | 25% |
| Sweden | $912K | 15% |
| China | $801K | 13% |
| Syria | $430K | 7.1% |
| Turkey | $323K | 5.3% |
| Netherlands | $302K | 5% |
| Bahrain | $274K | 4.5% |
| Kuwait | $182K | 3% |
| United States | $161K | 2.7% |
| Brazil | $158K | 2.6% |
Who is behind these numbers in Lebanon?
Public statistics stop at country totals and the last published year. EximDataX shows the shipment records underneath: the companies, dates, quantities and declared values, updated weekly.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
Updated weekly on EximDataX (some markets daily), while public statistics stop at 2024.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 9018: Instruments and appliances used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences, including scintigraphic apparatus, other electro-medical apparatus and sight testing instruments.
Common questions
What is the value of medical instruments imported by Lebanon?
Lebanon imported medical instruments worth $91.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 2.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 79th of 226 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 11% on 2023.
Which countries supply medical instruments to Lebanon?
The United States was the largest supplier with 16% of the value ($14.4 million), followed by China (15%) and Germany (13%). The top three together account for 43%, out of 71 supplier countries in total. Belgium grew fastest among the top ten, up 271% on the year.
What is the average import price of medical instruments per kg?
The average declared import value was about $35.24 per kg in 2024, 6% below the world average of $37.39 per kg. It is total declared value divided by total weight, so it blends every grade and size; use it as a benchmark, not a quote. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
How have imports of medical instruments to Lebanon changed since 2017?
Imports went from $106.8 million in 2017 to $91.4 million in 2024, a fall of 14%. The peak was 2018 at $133.7 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does Lebanon also export medical instruments?
Yes. Lebanon exported $6.1 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the United Arab Emirates, Sweden and China. On balance Lebanon is a net importer of this product, by about $85.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for medical instruments?
The HS code for medical instruments is heading 9018. In Lebanon the largest six-digit codes were 9018.90 (38% of the value) and 9018.39 (23%). It sits in HS chapter 90 (optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 9018 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Public statistics stop at country totals. EximDataX rebuilds Lebanon trade from the customs records of its trading partners, updated weekly, so you can see the companies that ship to and from it. Tell us your product and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
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