---
title: "HS 90 Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring…: India's trade and top markets · SSL"
description: "India's 2024 trade in HS 90: exports USD 5 B, imports USD 13.5 B. Top-10 markets and suppliers from UN Comtrade, plus the certificates usually needed."
url: https://safeandsecure.in/global/commodities/90/
canonical: https://safeandsecure.in/global/commodities/90/
updated: 2026-11-11
lang: en-IN
publisher: Safe & Secure Logistics Private Limited
---

HS chapter 90

# Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, medical or surgica…

Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories. India sold USD 5 B of it abroad in 2024 and bought USD 13.5 B. It is a top-five export to 28 countries in our data.

**USD 5 B** India's exports, 2024 · 1.1% of all exports

**USD 13.5 B** India's imports, 2024 · 1.9% of all imports

**Net importer** balance USD 8.5 B

Exports 27% Imports 73%

## Top 10 markets for India's exports

1. #1 [United States](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/united-states/) **USD 875.8 M** 18%
2. #2 [Germany](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/germany/) **USD 308.4 M** 6%
3. #3 [Singapore](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/singapore/) **USD 288 M** 6%
4. #4 [United Arab Emirates](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/united-arab-emirates/) **USD 271.3 M** 5%
5. #5 [United Kingdom](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/united-kingdom/) **USD 230.1 M** 5%
6. #6 [France](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/france/) **USD 229.4 M** 5%
7. #7 [China](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/china/) **USD 228.7 M** 5%
8. #8 [Netherlands](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/netherlands/) **USD 151.2 M** 3%
9. #9 [Russia](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/russia/) **USD 130 M** 3%
10. #10 [Brazil](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/brazil/) **USD 107.4 M** 2%

## Top 10 suppliers to India

1. #1 [China](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/china/) **USD 2.9 B** 21%
2. #2 [United States](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/united-states/) **USD 2.3 B** 17%
3. #3 [Germany](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/germany/) **USD 1.6 B** 12%
4. #4 [Japan](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/japan/) **USD 1.2 B** 9%
5. #5 [Singapore](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/singapore/) **USD 556 M** 4%
6. #6 [South Korea](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/south-korea/) **USD 519.5 M** 4%
7. #7 [France](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/france/) **USD 401.7 M** 3%
8. #8 [United Kingdom](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/united-kingdom/) **USD 400.5 M** 3%
9. #9 [Malaysia](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/malaysia/) **USD 393.4 M** 3%
10. #10 [Switzerland](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/switzerland/) **USD 393.3 M** 3%

Source: UN Comtrade public API, reporter India (699), 2024, HS 2022 chapter 90; exports FOB, imports CIF · retrieved 29 Sep 2026.

## Certificates and permits usually involved

Instruments and other goods: CDSCO registration for medical devices; BIS for notified items.

General guidance, verify per product with the regulator and your customs broker. See the [documents checklist](https://safeandsecure.in/global/guides/documents-checklist/).

SSL's fleet carries this cargo by road to and from India's ports, airports and land borders; our desk arranges the sea or air leg. [Ask our desk →](https://safeandsecure.in/ship/quote/?service=export)

## HS 90: questions

**How much HS 90 does India export?**

India exported USD 5 B of HS chapter 90 (optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking…) in 2024, 1.1% of India's exports. The largest market was United States at USD 875.8 M. Source: UN Comtrade, India as reporter, 2024.

**Where does India buy HS 90 from?**

India imported USD 13.5 B of chapter 90 in 2024, most of it from China (USD 2.9 B). Source: UN Comtrade, India as reporter, 2024, imports CIF.

**What certificates does HS 90 usually need?**

Instruments and other goods: CDSCO registration for medical devices; BIS for notified items. This is general guidance; verify the exact product line with the regulator and your customs broker.

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Source: https://safeandsecure.in/global/commodities/90/ (the HTML page is the record; this markdown twin was generated from it on 2026-11-11). Publisher: Safe & Secure Logistics Private Limited, https://safeandsecure.in/. Figures and their periods: https://safeandsecure.in/facts/