HS Code:
The category under HS Code 9031.41 and 9031.49.70 pertains to optical instruments and appliances used for inspecting semiconductor wafers or devices, or for inspecting photomasks or reticles used in manufacturing semiconductor devices, as well as other optical instruments and appliances for measuring or checking purposes not specified elsewhere. These instruments are critical in industries like semiconductor manufacturing, where precision and accuracy are paramount. This category includes advanced tools such as optical comparators, profilometers, and other specialized inspection equipment.
Total Trade Volume
USD 5.2 billion
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database
Average Rate
3.5%
Highest Rate
8.0% (applied by certain developing countries)
Lowest Rate
0.0% (under free trade agreements like USMCA and EU-Japan EPA)
Increased demand for semiconductor inspection tools
Driven by the global semiconductor shortage and expansion of chip manufacturing, trade volume for optical inspection instruments has surged, particularly in Asia-Pacific and North America.
2021-2022
Technological advancements in optical metrology
Innovations such as AI-integrated inspection systems are boosting market growth, leading to higher export values for countries with advanced tech sectors like Japan and the US.
2022
Shift towards automation in manufacturing
Rising adoption of automated optical inspection (AOI) systems in electronics manufacturing is increasing demand for these instruments, impacting trade flows towards industrial hubs.
2020-2022
The United States imposed stricter export controls on advanced optical inspection equipment to China, citing national security concerns related to semiconductor technology.
October 2022
This has redirected trade flows, with increased exports to alternative markets like South Korea and Taiwan, while straining US-China trade relations in this category.
The European Union announced the European Chips Act, aiming to boost domestic semiconductor production, which includes funding for optical inspection and metrology equipment.
February 2022
This is expected to increase imports of optical instruments into the EU, benefiting exporters like Japan and the US, while potentially raising intra-EU trade.
Japan and South Korea reached an agreement to ease export controls on high-tech equipment, including optical instruments for semiconductor inspection.
March 2023
This development is anticipated to stabilize and increase trade volumes between the two countries, strengthening Asia-Pacific supply chains for semiconductor tools.