Ophthalmic instruments imports in the United Arab Emirates: data, top suppliers and prices
The United Arab Emirates imported $42.8 million of ophthalmic instruments in 2024 (234 tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 7% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 15% a year on average.
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 | $42.8M | 234 t |
| 2023 | $39.8M | 218 t |
| 2022 | $27.4M | 151 t |
| 2021 | $23.5M | 289 t |
| 2020 | $19.4M | 86 t |
| 2019 | $19.1M | 93 t |
| 2018 | $20.1M | 74 t |
| 2017 | $15.8M | 73 t |
Where the United Arab Emirates imports ophthalmic instruments from
The largest suppliers were Netherlands (27%), Germany (15%), South Korea (13%). Among the main suppliers, Netherlands grew fastest (+619% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | $11.6M | 27% |
| Germany | $6.6M | 15% |
| South Korea | $5.5M | 13% |
| United States | $3.1M | 7.3% |
| Italy | $3.0M | 7% |
| Belgium | $2.0M | 4.7% |
| United Kingdom | $1.7M | 3.9% |
| France | $1.5M | 3.5% |
| Turkey | $1.1M | 2.7% |
| India | $988K | 2.3% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $183.10 per kg, close to the world average of $216.35.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Ophthalmic instruments exports from the United Arab Emirates
Exports of ophthalmic instruments by the United Arab Emirates reached $974 thousand in 2024 (12 tonnes). Most of it went to Nigeria (25%), Pakistan (14%), Netherlands (11%). Among the main buyer markets, Zambia grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Nigeria | $243K | 25% |
| Pakistan | $139K | 14% |
| Netherlands | $109K | 11% |
| Switzerland | $96K | 9.8% |
| Zambia | $64K | 6.6% |
| Togo | $50K | 5.1% |
| Cyprus | $35K | 3.6% |
| Malta | $32K | 3.3% |
| United States | $31K | 3.2% |
| Germany | $30K | 3.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United Arab Emirates?
The shipment records behind United Arab Emirates ophthalmic instruments imports (HS 9018.50): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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.
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 9018.50: Ophthalmic instruments and appliances.
Common questions
What is the value of ophthalmic instruments imported by the United Arab Emirates?
The United Arab Emirates imported ophthalmic instruments worth $42.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 234 tonnes. That ranks it 30th of 211 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 7% on 2023.
Which countries supply ophthalmic instruments to the United Arab Emirates?
The Netherlands was the largest supplier with 27% of the value ($11.6 million), followed by Germany (15%) and South Korea (13%). The top three together account for 55%, out of 40 supplier countries in total. The Netherlands grew fastest among the top ten, up 619% on the year.
What is the average import price of ophthalmic instruments per kg?
The average declared import value was about $183.10 per kg in 2024, 15% below the world average of $216.35 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of ophthalmic instruments to the United Arab Emirates changed since 2017?
Imports went from $15.8 million in 2017 to $42.8 million in 2024, an increase of 172%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $26.0 million a year.
Does the United Arab Emirates also export ophthalmic instruments?
Yes. The United Arab Emirates exported $974 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Nigeria, Pakistan and the Netherlands. On balance the United Arab Emirates is a net importer of this product, by about $41.8 million a year.
What is the HS code for ophthalmic instruments?
The HS code for ophthalmic instruments is subheading 9018.50. 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?
For the United Arab Emirates, EximDataX reads the shipment records of the countries that trade with it and shows the companies on both sides. We can walk you through your product on a short call.
Same product, other countries
World ophthalmic instruments trade: top importers and exporters
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.