SITCSection 8

Optical Microscopes, Not Elsewhere Specified

Name: Optical Microscopes, Not Elsewhere Specified (SITC 87145) -- U.S. Import Data
Creator: U.S. Census Bureau
License: https://www.census.gov/about/policies/open-gov/open-data.html

$11.9MU.S. imports · April 2026SITC 87145

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SITCSection 8

Optical Microscopes, Not Elsewhere Specified

$11.9MU.S. imports · April 2026SITC 87145

U.S. imports of optical microscopes, not elsewhere specified (SITC 87145) totaled $11.9M in April 2026, traded with 30 countries.

Importers of Optical Microscopes, Not Elsewhere Specified paid $1.6M in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 13% on $11.7M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule.

Last updated: April 2026 data

Compound optical microscopes not captured by the stereoscopic or photomicrography headings — including standard laboratory brightfield, darkfield, phase-contrast, and fluorescence microscopes — are classified here as the principal residual optical microscope category. These instruments are foundational to clinical diagnostics, life sciences research, quality control in manufacturing, and education, making this one of the more widely traded optical instrument headings. Japan and Germany are established sources of high-specification research-grade optical microscopes, while China supplies a substantial share of educational and routine laboratory instruments.

AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How should an importer classify a fluorescence microscope — does it fall under this heading or under a more specific one?

A fluorescence microscope is an optical microscope that uses specific excitation wavelengths to stimulate fluorescent labels; it does not have a dedicated SITC subheading and therefore classifies under the general optical microscope heading (SITC 87145). The same applies to phase-contrast and darkfield configurations — these are optical techniques applied to a standard compound microscope platform.

What documentation is typically needed to support the duty-free or reduced-duty entry of research microscopes under scientific instrument provisions?

Some HTS subheadings for optical microscopes may qualify for duty-free entry under scientific instrument provisions if the importer is a qualifying nonprofit research or educational institution. This typically requires a formal application to US Customs and Border Protection demonstrating institutional eligibility and that no commercially equivalent domestic instrument is available. Importers should consult a licensed customs broker to determine whether their specific instrument and institution qualify.

U.S. imports of optical microscopes, not elsewhere specified (SITC 87145) totaled $11.9M in April 2026, traded with 30 countries.

Importers of Optical Microscopes, Not Elsewhere Specified paid $1.6M in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 13% on $11.7M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule.

Last updated: April 2026 data

Compound optical microscopes not captured by the stereoscopic or photomicrography headings — including standard laboratory brightfield, darkfield, phase-contrast, and fluorescence microscopes — are classified here as the principal residual optical microscope category. These instruments are foundational to clinical diagnostics, life sciences research, quality control in manufacturing, and education, making this one of the more widely traded optical instrument headings. Japan and Germany are established sources of high-specification research-grade optical microscopes, while China supplies a substantial share of educational and routine laboratory instruments.

AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.

Imports: $11.9M; from 30 countries
Exports: $7.4M
Trade balance: Deficit of $4.5M; net importer

YTD $49.7M (April 2026) · 388 shipments/mo

Top trading partners

View all 30

Country	Imports	Exports	Balance
JAPAN	$3.3M	$663K	-$2.6M
GERMANY	$2.7M	$492K	-$2.3M
CHINA	$1.5M	$920K	-$622K
NETHERLANDS	$764K	$1.1M	+$355K
CANADA	$82K	$1.0M	+$943K

JAPAN

Imports$3.3M

Exports$663K

Balance-$2.6M

GERMANY

Imports$2.7M

Exports$492K

Balance-$2.3M

CHINA

Imports$1.5M

Exports$920K

Balance-$622K

NETHERLANDS

Imports$764K

Exports$1.1M

Balance+$355K

CANADA

Imports$82K

Exports$1.0M

Balance+$943K

Import Trend (12 months)

Monthly import values over time

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Frequently Asked Questions

How should an importer classify a fluorescence microscope — does it fall under this heading or under a more specific one?

A fluorescence microscope is an optical microscope that uses specific excitation wavelengths to stimulate fluorescent labels; it does not have a dedicated SITC subheading and therefore classifies under the general optical microscope heading (SITC 87145). The same applies to phase-contrast and darkfield configurations — these are optical techniques applied to a standard compound microscope platform.

What documentation is typically needed to support the duty-free or reduced-duty entry of research microscopes under scientific instrument provisions?

Some HTS subheadings for optical microscopes may qualify for duty-free entry under scientific instrument provisions if the importer is a qualifying nonprofit research or educational institution. This typically requires a formal application to US Customs and Border Protection demonstrating institutional eligibility and that no commercially equivalent domestic instrument is available. Importers should consult a licensed customs broker to determine whether their specific instrument and institution qualify.