Mercosur TradeFlow
The EU–Mercosur Interim Trade Agreement has been provisionally applied since 1 May 2026. Poland's action for annulment before the EU Court of Justice (Case C-460/26) is pending. Savings shown are estimates. Official Journal notice

HS 9018 · Optical, medical and measuring instruments

Medical and dental instruments

Data last updated 18 October 2026 · schedule data 2026.10.2

In short

The EU charges no duty on Mercosur medical instruments, with or without the agreement; Brazil's duty on EU medical instruments is up to 14.9% today and reaches zero by 2041 (8 of 54 lines are excluded).

Rates at a glance

Into the EU from Mercosur

25 tariff lines

Preferential duty 2026

0%

Duty-free on all phased lines by

No phase-out

Agreement base rate

0%

Applied MFN rate today

0%

Into Brazil from the EU

54 tariff lines

Preferential duty 2026

0–20%

Duty-free on all phased lines by

2041

Agreement base rate

0–16%

Applied MFN rate today

0–20%

Work out the duty on your shipment

Opens the calculator with heading 9018 and the corridor filled in.

Calculate Mercosur → EUCalculate EU → Mercosur

About this product

Medical, surgical and dental instruments already enter the EU duty-free, with or without the agreement. Mercosur's applied rate is zero on some lines, the rest are phased out over several schedules, and some lines are excluded. Health product registration is separate from the tariff.

How the duty falls, year by year

Highest and lowest ad valorem duty each year over the lines on a path to zero. Excluded and quota-only lines keep their duty and aren't included.

Highest preferential ad valorem duty by year, 9018EU → Mercosur: 14.9% in 2026 to 0% in 2041. The table below has the same figures.0%7.5%15%20262028203020322034203620382040
EU → Mercosur

Into the EU from Mercosur

Nothing to phase out in this direction: every line is already duty-free, excluded or only covered by a quota.

Into Brazil from the EU

Into Brazil from the EU
YearAd valorem dutyLines duty-free
20260–14.9%22 / 54
20270–14%22 / 54
20280–12.9%22 / 54
20290–12%22 / 54
20300–10.9%22 / 54
20310–10%22 / 54
20320–8.9%22 / 54
20330–8%22 / 54
20340–6.9%22 / 54
20350–6%22 / 54
20360–4.9%35 / 54
20370–4%35 / 54
20380–2.9%35 / 54
20390–2%35 / 54
20400–0.9%35 / 54
20410%47 / 54

Lines by staging category

The staging category sets the speed of the cut: 0 is duty-free from entry into force, 4 to 15 are the years to zero, E is excluded and letter codes are quotas or special treatments.

Mercosur → EU

  • 0× 25

EU → Mercosur

  • 0× 15
  • 10× 14
  • 15× 13
  • E× 8
  • 4× 4

Tariff-rate quotas

No tariff-rate quota applies to this heading.

Rates in each Mercosur country

Each member has its own base rate and applied MFN rate. The preference is cut from the base rate, or from the applied rate where that's lower (Art. 2.4(7) of the agreement), so the current rate can differ by country.

Rates in each Mercosur country
CountryBase rateApplied MFNPreferential 2026Zero byApplied-rate source
Brazil0–16%0–20%2 lines have no single published rate0–20%2041Brazil applied import duty, Res. Gecex 272/2021 Annexes II, V, VI, IX (MDIC), as of 5 October 2026
Argentina0–16%0–16%2 lines have no single published rate0–16%2041Argentina applied import duty (DIE), ARCA Arancel Integrado, as of 18 October 2026
Uruguay0–16%0–14.4%4 lines have no single published rate0–16%2041Uruguay applied import duty (Arancel Nacional, MEF), as of 10 February 2025Manual snapshotOlder than 180 days
Paraguay0–16%0–14.4%3 lines have no single published rate0–14.9%2041Paraguay applied import duty (Arancel Nacional Vigente, MEF), as of 4 November 2025Manual snapshotOlder than 180 days

All tariff lines

Line descriptions are the English text of the schedules (CN 2013 for the EU, NCM 2012 for Mercosur).

Into the EU from Mercosur: 25 lines
Into the EU from Mercosur
CodeDescriptionStagingBaseApplied MFN2026Final
9018 11 00Electro-cardiographs0FreeFreeFreeFree
9018 12 00Ultrasonic scanning apparatus0FreeFreeFreeFree
9018 13 00Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus0FreeFreeFreeFree
9018 14 00Scintigraphic apparatus0FreeFreeFreeFree
9018 19 10Electro-diagnostic monitoring apparatus for simultaneous monitoring of two or more physiological parameters0FreeFreeFreeFree
9018 19 90Electro-diagnostic apparatus, incl. apparatus for functional exploratory examination or for checking physiological parameters (excl. electro-cardiographs, ultrasonic scanning apparatus, magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, scintigraphic apparatus and monitoring apparatus for simultaneous monitoring of two or more physiological parameters)0FreeFreeFreeFree
9018 20 00Ultraviolet or infra-red ray apparatus used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences0FreeFreeFreeFree
9018 31 10Syringes of plastics, with or without needles, used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences0FreeFreeFreeFree
9018 31 90Syringes, with or without needles, used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences (excl. of plastic)0FreeFreeFreeFree
9018 32 10Tubular metal needles, used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences0FreeFreeFreeFree
9018 32 90Needles for sutures, used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences0FreeFreeFreeFree
9018 39 00Needles, catheters, cannulae and the like, used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences (excl. syringes, tubular metal needles and needles for sutures)0FreeFreeFreeFree
9018 41 00Dental drill engines, whether or not combined on a single base with other dental equipment0FreeFreeFreeFree
9018 49 10Burrs, discs, drills and brushes, for use in dental drills0FreeFreeFreeFree
9018 49 90Instruments and appliances used in dental sciences, n.e.s.0FreeFreeFreeFree
9018 50 10Ophthalmic instruments and appliances, non-optical, n.e.s.0FreeFreeFreeFree
9018 50 90Ophthalmic instruments and appliances, optical, n.e.s.0FreeFreeFreeFree
9018 90 10Instruments and apparatus for measuring blood-pressure0FreeFreeFreeFree
9018 90 20Endoscopes used in medical, surgical or veterinary sciences0FreeFreeFreeFree
9018 90 30Renal dialysis equipment "artificial kidneys, kidney machines and dialysers"0FreeFreeFreeFree
9018 90 40Diathermic apparatus (excl. ultraviolet or infra-red apparatus)0FreeFreeFreeFree
9018 90 50Transfusion apparatus used in medical sciences0FreeFreeFreeFree
9018 90 60Anaesthetic apparatus and instruments0FreeFreeFreeFree
9018 90 75Apparatus for nerve stimulation0FreeFreeFreeFree
9018 90 84Instruments and appliances used in medical, surgical or veterinary sciences, n.e.s.0FreeFreeFreeFree
Into Brazil from the EU: 54 lines
Into Brazil from the EU
CodeDescriptionStagingBaseApplied MFN2026Final
9018 11 00Electrocardiographs1014%20%12.7%Freefrom 2036
9018 12 10Echographs with doppler spectrum analysis0Free7.2%FreeFree
9018 12 90Other apparatus of electrodiagnosis by ultrasonic scanningE14%20%20%20%
9018 13 00Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus0Free7.2%FreeFree
9018 14 10Positron emission tomography scanner0Free7.2%FreeFree
9018 14 20Gamma chambers0Free7.2%FreeFree
9018 14 90Other scintigraphic apparatus1014%20%12.7%Freefrom 2036
9018 19 10Endoscopy0Free7.2%FreeFree
9018 19 20Audiometers1014%20%12.7%Freefrom 2036
9018 19 80Other electro-diagnostic apparatusE14%20%20%20%
9018 19 90Parts of electro-diagnostic apparatus1014%20%12.7%Freefrom 2036
9018 20 10Surgery apparatus, laser type0Free7.2%FreeFree
9018 20 20Other apparatus for oral treatment, laser type0Free7.2%FreeFree
9018 20 90Other ultraviolet or infrared ray apparatus1014%20%12.7%Freefrom 2036
9018 31 11Plastic syringes, with or without needles, capacity ≤ 2 cm 31516%14.4%13.4%Freefrom 2041
9018 31 19Other plastic syringes, with or without needles1516%14.4%13.4%Freefrom 2041
9018 31 90Syringes of other material, with or without needles1516%14.4%13.4%Freefrom 2041
9018 32 11Tubular metal needles, gums1516%14.4%13.4%Freefrom 2041
9018 32 12Tubular needles, of steel chrome-niquel/three-sided bisel42%FreeFreeFreefrom 2030
9018 32 19Other tubular metal needlesE16%14.4%14.4%14.4%
9018 32 20Needles for sutures42%FreeFreeFreefrom 2030
9018 39 10Other needles1516%14.4%13.4%Freefrom 2041
9018 39 21Probes, catheters and stems, of rubberEFreeFreeFreeFree
9018 39 22Arterial embolectomy catheters of poly(vinyl chloride)42%FreeFreeFreefrom 2030
9018 39 23Thermodilution catheters of poly(vinyl chloride)42%FreeFreeFreefrom 2030
9018 39 24Peripheral intravenous catheters of polyurethane1016%–14.5%Freefrom 2036
9018 39 29Other probes, catheters and stems1516%FreeFreeFreefrom 2041
9018 39 30Lancets for vaccination and cauterising1016%14.4%13%Freefrom 2036
9018 39 91Article for arteriovenous fistula, consisting of needle, butterfly type fixation base, plastic tube with connector and obturator1016%14.4%13%Freefrom 2036
9018 39 99Other instruments similar to syringes, needles, catheters, etc.1516%14.4%13.4%Freefrom 2041
9018 41 00Dental drill devices, combined or not etc. with including other dental equipment1014%20%12.7%Freefrom 2036
9018 49 11Dental drill engines, of tungsten carbide1016%14.4%13%Freefrom 2036
9018 49 12Dental drill engines, of vanadium steelE16%14.4%14.4%14.4%
9018 49 19Dental drill engines, of other material1516%14.4%13.4%Freefrom 2041
9018 49 20Files for dentistry1516%14.4%13.4%Freefrom 2041
9018 49 40Devices that operate by kinetic projection of particles, for treatment0Free7.2%FreeFree
9018 49 91Apparatus for designing and constructing ceramic parts for dental restorations, computerised0Free7.2%FreeFree
9018 49 99Other instruments and appliances for dentistry1516%14.4%13.4%Freefrom 2041
9018 50 10Binocular microscopes for ophthalmic surgery0Free7.2%FreeFree
9018 50 90Other ophthalmic instruments and appliances1014%20%12.7%Freefrom 2036
9018 90 10Instruments and appliances for blood transfusions, etc.1014%FreeFreeFreefrom 2036
9018 90 21Electric bistouries1516%14.4%13.4%Freefrom 2041
9018 90 29Other bistouries1516%14.4%13.4%Freefrom 2041
9018 90 31Lithotripters using shock waves0Free7.2%FreeFree
9018 90 39Lithotomies and other lithotripters1014%20%12.7%Freefrom 2036
9018 90 40Artificial kidneyE8%12.6%12.6%12.6%
9018 90 50Diathermy apparatus1014%20%12.7%Freefrom 2036
9018 90 91Artificial incubators for babiesE14%20%20%20%
9018 90 92Apparatus for measuring arterial pressure1516%–14.9%Freefrom 2041
9018 90 93Microwave intra-urethral therapy equipment, for treatment of prostatic conditions etc., computerised0Free7.2%FreeFree
9018 90 94Endoscope0Free7.2%FreeFree
9018 90 95Clips and staples, their applicators and extractors for apparatus (medical use)0FreeFreeFreeFree
9018 90 96Automatic external defibrillators0FreeFreeFreeFree
9018 90 99Other instruments and appliances used in medicine, surgery, etc.E16%14.4%14.4%14.4%

Related products

All headings in chapter 90: Optical, medical and measuring instruments

Data and method

Worked out with the calculator's engine from the agreement schedules (Annex 2-A) and the applied-rate files, for agreement year 2026. Mercosur → EU figures assume Brazilian origin, which only matters for the few origin-specific quotas; EU → Mercosur figures are for Brazil unless the country table says otherwise.

Methodology and data sources

Estimates only, not legal or customs advice. Check the official schedules before relying on a rate.