Orthopaedic appliances; including crutches, surgical belts and trusses; splints and other fracture appliances; artificial parts of the body; hearing aids and other which are worn, carried or implanted in the body to compensate for a defect or disability

HS v2022 Code: 9021

About orthopaedic appliances; including crutches, surgical belts and trusses; splints and other fracture appliances; artificial parts of the body; hearing aids and other which are worn, carried or implanted in the body to compensate for a defect or disability

HS code 9021 covers a diverse range of medical devices and assistive technologies that are essential for improving the quality of life for individuals with physical disabilities or impairments. These products play a crucial role in the healthcare industry, enabling patients to regain mobility, restore bodily functions, and enhance their overall well-being. The global market for orthopaedic appliances and prosthetics is expected to grow steadily in the coming years, driven by factors such as an aging population, rising incidence of chronic diseases, and advancements in medical technology.

Production process

The production of the items classified under HS code 9021 involves a range of manufacturing techniques, depending on the specific product. Orthopaedic appliances, such as crutches, braces, and splints, are often fabricated using lightweight, durable materials like aluminum, plastic, or composite materials. These components are then assembled and customized to fit the individual patient's needs. Artificial body parts, such as prosthetic limbs, are typically produced using advanced technologies like 3D printing, computer-aided design (CAD), and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) to ensure a precise fit and optimal functionality.

Production inputs

The production of HS code 9021 items requires a variety of raw materials, including metals, plastics, textiles, and electronic components. Manufacturers may also rely on specialized machinery and equipment, such as casting molds, welding machines, and computer-controlled cutting tools. Additionally, the industry requires skilled professionals, such as orthopaedic technicians, prosthetists, and biomedical engineers, to design, fabricate, and fit these medical devices to the individual patient's needs.

Production outputs

The products classified under HS code 9021 are primarily used by individuals with physical disabilities or impairments to improve their mobility, restore bodily functions, and enhance their quality of life. These devices are often prescribed and fitted by healthcare professionals, such as 9402 Furniture for medical, surgical, dental or veterinary purposes, 9018 Instruments and appliances used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences, and 9019 Mechano-therapy appliances; massage apparatus; psychological aptitude-testing apparatus; ozone therapy, oxygen therapy, aerosol therapy, artificial respiration or other therapeutic respiration apparatus.

Family tree for orthopaedic appliances; including crutches, surgical belts and trusses; splints and other fracture appliances; artificial parts of the body; hearing aids and other which are worn, carried or implanted in the body to compensate for a defect or disability

    graph LR
    A["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/90'>90: Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories</a>"]
A --> B["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9021'>9021: Orthopaedic appliances; including crutches, surgical belts and trusses; splints and other fracture appliances; artificial parts of the body; hearing aids and other which are worn, carried or implanted in the body to compensate for a defect or disability</a>"]

    A --> C["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9001'>9001: Optical fibres and optical fibre bundles; optical fibre cables not of heading no. 8544; sheets, plates of polarising material; lenses, prisms, mirrors, of any material; unmounted; not non optical glass</a>"]
A --> D["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9002'>9002: Lenses, prisms, mirrors and other optical elements, of any material, mounted, being parts or fittings for instruments or apparatus, other than such elements of glass not optically worked</a>"]
A --> E["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9003'>9003: Frames and mountings; for spectacles, goggles or the like, and parts</a>"]
A --> F["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9004'>9004: Spectacles, goggles and the like; corrective, protective or other</a>"]
A --> G["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9005'>9005: Binoculars, monoculars, other optical telescopes, mountings therefore; other astronomical instruments, mountings therefore, but not including instruments for radio-astronomy</a>"]
A --> H["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9006'>9006: Cameras, photographic (excluding cinematographic); photographic flashlight apparatus and flashbulbs other than discharge lamps of heading no. 8539</a>"]
A --> I["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9007'>9007: Cinematographic cameras and projectors, whether or not incorporating sound recording or reproducing apparatus</a>"]
A --> J["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9008'>9008: Image projectors, other than cinematographic; photographic (other than cinematographic) enlargers and reducers</a>"]
A --> K["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9010'>9010: Photographic (including cinematographic) laboratory apparatus and equipment, n.e.c. in chapter 90; negatoscopes; projection screens</a>"]
A --> L["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9011'>9011: Microscopes, compound optical; including those for photomicrography, cinephotomicrography or microprojection</a>"]
A --> M["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9012'>9012: Microscopes (excluding optical microscopes); diffraction apparatus</a>"]
A --> N["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9013'>9013: Lasers, other than laser diodes; other optical appliances and instruments n.e.c. in this chapter</a>"]
A --> O["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9014'>9014: Navigational instruments and appliances; direction finding compasses</a>"]
A --> P["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9015'>9015: Surveying (including photogrammetrical surveying), hydrographic, oceanographic, hydrological, meteorological or geophysical instruments and appliances, excluding compasses, rangefinders</a>"]
A --> Q["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9016'>9016: Balances; of a sensitivity of 5cg or better, with or without weights</a>"]
A --> R["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9017'>9017: Drawing, marking-out, mathematical calculating instruments (drafting machines, protractors, drawing sets etc); instruments for measuring length (e.g. measuring rods, tapes, micrometers, callipers) n.e.c.</a>"]
A --> S["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9018'>9018: Instruments and appliances used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences, including scintigraphic apparatus, other electro-medical apparatus and sight testing instruments</a>"]
A --> T["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9019'>9019: Mechano-therapy, massage appliances; psychological aptitude testing apparatus; ozone, oxygen, aerosol therapy, artificial respiration or other therapeutic respiration apparatus</a>"]
A --> U["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9020'>9020: Breathing appliances and gas masks; excluding protective masks having neither mechanical parts nor replaceable filters and excluding apparatus of item no. 9019.20</a>"]
A --> V["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9022'>9022: Apparatus based on the use of x-rays or of alpha, beta, gamma or other ionising radiations, whether or not for medical, surgical, dental or veterinary uses, including radiography or radiotherapy apparatus, x-ray tubes and other x-ray generators, high tens</a>"]
A --> W["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9023'>9023: Instruments, apparatus and models, designed for demonstrational purposes (in education or exhibitions), unsuitable for other uses</a>"]
A --> X["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9024'>9024: Machines and appliances for testing the hardness, strength, compressibility, elasticity of other mechanical properties of materials (e.g. metals, wood, textiles, paper, plastics)</a>"]
A --> Y["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9025'>9025: Hydrometers and similar floating instruments, thermometers, pyrometers, barometers, hygrometers and psychrometers, recording or not</a>"]
A --> Z["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9026'>9026: Instruments, apparatus for measuring or checking the flow, level, pressure of liquids, gases (e.g. flow meters, heat meters etc), not instruments and apparatus of heading no. 9014, 9015, 9028 or 9032</a>"]
A --> BA["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9027'>9027: Instruments and apparatus; for physical or chemical analysis (e.g. polarimeters, spectrometers), for measuring or checking viscosity, porosity, etc, for measuring quantities of heat, sound or light</a>"]
A --> BB["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9028'>9028: Gas, liquid or electricity supply or production meters, including calibrating meters therefor</a>"]
A --> BC["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9029'>9029: Revolution counter, production counters, taximeters, mileometers, pedometers and the like, speed indicators and tachometers, other than those of heading no. 9015, stroboscopes</a>"]
A --> BD["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9030'>9030: Instruments, apparatus for measuring, checking electrical quantities not meters of heading no. 9028; instruments, apparatus for measuring or detecting alpha, beta, gamma, x-ray, cosmic and other radiations</a>"]
A --> BE["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9031'>9031: Measuring or checking instruments, appliances and machines, n.e.c. or included in this chapter; profile projectors</a>"]
A --> BF["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9032'>9032: Regulating or controlling instruments and apparatus; automatic type</a>"]
A --> BG["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9033'>9033: Machines and appliances, instruments or apparatus of chapter 90; parts and accessories n.e.c. in chapter 90</a>"]

    B --> BH["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/902110'>902110: Orthopaedic or fracture appliances</a>"]
B --> BI["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/902121'>902121: Dental fittings; artificial teeth</a>"]
B --> BJ["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/902129'>902129: Dental fittings; other than artificial teeth</a>"]
B --> BK["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/902131'>902131: Artificial parts of the body</a>"]
B --> BL["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/902139'>902139: Artificial parts of the body; excluding artificial joints</a>"]
B --> BM["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/902140'>902140: Hearing aids (excluding parts and accessories)</a>"]
B --> BN["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/902150'>902150: Pacemakers; for stimulating heart muscles (excluding parts and accessories)</a>"]
B --> BO["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/902190'>902190: Appliances; worn, carried or implanted in the body, to compensate for a defect or disability</a>"]


    %% Color coordination by level

    classDef level1 color:#000,fill:#a8f9ff,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px
    classDef level2 color:#000,fill:#e0a458,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef level3 color:#000,fill:#419d78,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef level4 color:#000,fill:#c04abc,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef level5 color:#000,fill:#f1c40f,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef level6 color:#000,fill:#f1c40f,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef highlight color:#000,fill:#fff,stroke:#000,stroke-width:5px



  %% Apply classes
  class A level2
class B level4
class C level4
class D level4
class E level4
class F level4
class G level4
class H level4
class I level4
class J level4
class K level4
class L level4
class M level4
class N level4
class O level4
class P level4
class Q level4
class R level4
class S level4
class T level4
class U level4
class V level4
class W level4
class X level4
class Y level4
class Z level4
class BA level4
class BB level4
class BC level4
class BD level4
class BE level4
class BF level4
class BG level4
class BH level6
class BI level6
class BJ level6
class BK level6
class BL level6
class BM level6
class BN level6
class BO level6

  class B highlight

  %% class A level1
  %% class B,C level2
  %% class D,E,F,G,H,I level2
  %% class J,K,L,M,N,O,P level3
  %% class B highlight