Disinfection Machine Import Procedures – HS Codes, Duties, and Customs Clearance Process

Disinfection Machine Import Procedures – HS Codes, Duties, and Customs Clearance Process

Disinfection Machine Import Procedures – HS Codes, Duties, and Customs Clearance Process

Posted on: 14/08/2026

A disinfection machine is equipment used to reduce or eliminate microorganisms on instruments, surfaces, air, or within a specific space. Depending on the model, the equipment may use heat, steam, ultraviolet radiation, ozone, plasma, chemicals, or a combination of technologies. The applicable import policy and HS classification depend heavily on the object being disinfected, the technology used, and the actual intended use of the equipment.

Disinfection machine

1. Product Overview and Import Policy

Common types of disinfection and sterilization machines include:

  • Air disinfection machines
  • Room disinfection machines
  • Surface disinfection machines
  • Medical instrument disinfection machines
  • Medical instrument sterilizers
  • UV disinfection machines
  • Ozone disinfection machines
  • Plasma sterilizers
  • Steam sterilizers
  • High-temperature sterilizers
  • Low-temperature sterilizers
  • Disinfection robots
  • Disinfectant spraying machines
  • Disinfection cabinets
  • Washer-disinfectors

Medical equipment databases in Vietnam include various types of air disinfection equipment, high-temperature sterilizers, medical instrument washers, plasma sterilizers, and other sterilization equipment.

Therefore, businesses should not assume that every product commercially described as a “disinfection machine” is subject to the same import requirements.

Before importing, businesses should determine:

  • What objects or materials the machine is designed to disinfect
  • Whether it is intended for medical or general use
  • Disinfection technology
  • Operating temperature
  • Whether steam is used
  • Whether UV radiation is used
  • UV wavelength
  • Whether ozone is generated
  • Whether plasma technology is used
  • Whether chemicals are sprayed or vaporized
  • Whether washing is performed before disinfection
  • Power capacity
  • Chamber capacity
  • Intended use declared by the manufacturer
  • Medical device classification, where applicable
  • Circulation documentation
  • HS classification
  • Import duty and VAT

Where the machine qualifies as a medical device, the importer should also review the applicable Vietnamese medical device management requirements.

2. HS Codes for Disinfection Machines

2.1 Medical, Surgical, or Laboratory Sterilizers

For equipment designed to disinfect or sterilize medical instruments, one important reference HS code is:

  • 8419.20.00: Medical, surgical or laboratory sterilizers

This code may be considered for products such as:

  • Medical autoclaves
  • Steam sterilizers
  • High-temperature sterilizers
  • Low-temperature sterilizers
  • Certain plasma sterilization systems
  • Thermal sterilization equipment for medical instruments

However, the actual operating principle and construction of each model should be reviewed before applying this code.

2.2 UV Equipment Used for Disinfecting Medical Devices

For equipment whose principal function is to use ultraviolet radiation for disinfecting medical devices, another reference code may be:

  • 9018.20.00: Ultraviolet or infrared ray apparatus

This code may be considered for certain UV medical disinfection equipment.

It should not automatically be applied to every UV device. Importers should distinguish between:

  • UV equipment for medical instruments
  • UV air disinfection machines
  • Household UV lamps
  • UV cabinets
  • Industrial UV equipment
  • UV lamps imported separately

2.3 Cleaning or Drying Machines

Where the principal function is cleaning or drying bottles, containers, or similar articles, heading 8422 may need to be reviewed.

A reference code is:

  • 8422.20.00: Machinery for cleaning or drying bottles or other containers

However, a medical washer-disinfector may have a different essential character and should be classified according to its overall construction and principal function.

2.4 Air Disinfection, Ozone, Plasma, and Spraying Machines

The following products should not automatically be classified under HS code 8419.20.00:

  • Air disinfection machines
  • Ozone generators
  • Plasma air treatment equipment
  • Disinfection spraying robots
  • Disinfectant spraying machines
  • Room disinfection machines
  • Household UV cabinets
  • Air treatment equipment with filtration systems

Depending on their construction and principal function, these products may need to be considered under headings for:

  • Air filtering or purifying machinery
  • Electrical apparatus having individual functions
  • Liquid spraying machinery
  • UV apparatus
  • Other appropriate categories

2.5 How to Determine the Correct HS Code

The HS code should be determined based on:

  • Product construction
  • Principal function
  • Object being treated
  • Operating principle
  • Disinfection technology
  • Temperature
  • Pressure
  • Steam technology
  • UV technology
  • UV wavelength
  • Ozone technology
  • Plasma technology
  • Air filtration system
  • Spraying system
  • Chamber capacity
  • Intended use
  • Product catalog
  • Datasheet
  • User manual
  • Operating diagram
  • Medical device documentation, where applicable

One HS code should not be applied to all products simply because they are commercially described as disinfection machines.

3. Import Duties and VAT

The taxes that may apply when importing disinfection machines include:

  • Import duty
  • Value-added tax

The applicable tax rates depend on:

  • Final HS code
  • Country of origin
  • Tariff schedule effective on the customs declaration date
  • Certificate or proof of origin
  • Eligibility for special preferential tariff treatment
  • Medical device tax treatment, where applicable

Common certificates or proofs of origin may include:

  • C/O Form E
  • C/O Form D
  • C/O Form AK
  • C/O Form AJ
  • C/O Form VJ
  • C/O Form VK
  • CPTPP C/O
  • EVFTA proof of origin
  • RCEP C/O

Importers should not use the tax rate of a medical sterilizer for an air disinfection machine or household UV machine without first confirming the correct HS classification.

Reference tax calculation formulas:

Import duty = Customs value × Import duty rate

VAT = (Customs value + Import duty) × VAT rate

** See more Pulse Oximeter Import Procedures

4. Import Documentation

The standard customs documentation normally includes:

  • Customs declaration
  • Commercial Invoice
  • Packing List
  • Sales Contract
  • Bill of Lading or Air Waybill
  • Certificate of Origin, if available
  • Product catalog
  • Datasheet
  • Technical documents
  • Instructions for use

Importers should also consider preparing:

  • Product photographs
  • Original label photographs
  • Operating principle diagram
  • Documentation describing the disinfection technology
  • Temperature and pressure specifications
  • UV wavelength information
  • Ozone concentration specifications, where applicable
  • Plasma technology documentation, where applicable
  • Information about chemicals used, where applicable
  • Disinfection or sterilization performance reports, if available

Where the product is regulated as a medical device, additional documentation may include:

  • Medical device classification result
  • Applicable declaration or circulation registration number
  • Authorization letter from the medical device owner
  • Certificate of Free Sale, where applicable
  • Manufacturer’s quality management system certificate
  • Medical device technical dossier
  • Vietnamese instructions for use
  • Warranty documentation
  • Original product label
  • Proposed Vietnamese supplementary label
  • Safety and performance documentation

Information across the documents should be consistent regarding:

  • Product name
  • Model
  • Brand
  • Manufacturer
  • Medical device owner
  • Country of manufacture
  • Intended use
  • Disinfection technology
  • Power capacity
  • Voltage
  • Chamber capacity
  • Included accessories

5. Disinfection Machine Import Process

Step 1: Determine the Exact Type of Machine

The importer should determine whether the equipment is:

  • An air disinfection machine
  • A medical instrument sterilizer
  • A UV machine
  • An ozone machine
  • A plasma sterilizer
  • A disinfectant spraying machine
  • A washer-disinfector
  • A multifunctional system

Step 2: Determine the Intended Use

This is particularly important.

Equipment designed to disinfect or sterilize medical devices may be subject to significantly different requirements from equipment used in offices, homes, factories, or other non-medical locations.

Step 3: Review Medical Device Requirements

Where the manufacturer declares that the equipment is intended for medical use, hospitals, operating rooms, or the disinfection or sterilization of medical devices, the importer should verify:

  • Medical device classification
  • Circulation documentation
  • Product model
  • Manufacturer
  • Medical device owner
  • Intended use

Step 4: Determine the HS Code

For equipment used to disinfect or sterilize medical devices, a reference code may be:

  • 8419.20.00

For certain UV apparatus used for medical-device disinfection, a reference code may be:

  • 9018.20.00

Air disinfection, ozone, plasma, spraying, and multifunctional equipment should be analyzed separately.

Step 5: Check Import Duties and C/O

The importer should verify:

  • Import duty
  • VAT
  • Country of origin
  • Certificate of Origin
  • Eligibility for preferential tariff treatment

Step 6: Check the Product Label

The original label should generally show:

  • Product name
  • Model
  • Manufacturer
  • Country of origin
  • Voltage
  • Frequency
  • Power capacity
  • Main technical specifications

Step 7: Submit the Customs Declaration

The customs description should clearly state the technology and intended use.

For a steam sterilizer, a reference description may be:

“Steam sterilizer for medical instruments, model…, chamber capacity…, operating temperature…, power…, voltage…, brand…, manufacturer…, 100% new.”

For a UV device:

“UV disinfection machine for medical instruments, wavelength…, model…, power…, voltage…, brand…, manufacturer…, 100% new.”

For an air disinfection machine:

“Air disinfection machine using … technology, airflow capacity…, power…, model…, brand…, manufacturer…, 100% new.”

A vague description such as:

“Disinfection machine”

should be avoided.

Step 8: Submit Documents and Cooperate with Customs Inspection

Customs may request additional documents such as:

  • Product catalog
  • Datasheet
  • User manual
  • Product photographs
  • Label photographs
  • Operating principle diagram
  • Treatment technology documentation
  • Performance documentation
  • Medical device documentation, where applicable

Step 9: Pay Taxes and Complete Customs Clearance

After fulfilling tax obligations and applicable specialized management requirements, the importer may complete customs clearance and collect the goods.

Step 10: Apply a Vietnamese Supplementary Label

Before the product is placed on the Vietnamese market, a Vietnamese supplementary label should be applied if the original label does not contain all mandatory information in Vietnamese.

6. Important Notes When Importing Disinfection Machines

Importers should pay attention to the following:

  • Distinguish between disinfection and sterilization
  • Clearly identify the object being treated
  • Do not assume every disinfection machine is a medical device
  • Do not assume every machine used in a hospital falls under HS 8419.20.00
  • Identify the principal function
  • Check UV technology
  • Check UV wavelength
  • Check ozone generation
  • Check plasma technology
  • Check temperature and pressure
  • Check chamber capacity
  • Check disinfection cycles
  • Check drying functions
  • Check washing functions
  • Check HEPA filtration, where applicable
  • Do not use regulatory documents issued for another model
  • Review separately imported components

Difference Between Disinfection and Sterilization

Technical documentation should use the terminology declared by the manufacturer correctly:

  • Disinfection: reduction or elimination of many pathogenic microorganisms
  • Sterilization: elimination of viable microorganisms according to the applicable sterilization process
  • Cleaning: physical removal of contamination
  • Sanitization: reduction of microorganisms to an acceptable level
  • Air purification: removal of contaminants or particles from air

A product designed only for air purification should not be described as a sterilizer unless the manufacturer specifically declares and supports such a function.

Accessories

Common accessories may include:

  • UV lamps
  • HEPA filters
  • Activated carbon filters
  • Pumps
  • Fans
  • Instrument trays
  • Racks
  • Chemical containers
  • Spray nozzles
  • Sensors
  • Power adapters
  • Power cords
  • Control modules

Accessories imported separately may have different HS codes from the complete equipment.

Labeling Requirements

The product label should generally include:

  • Product name
  • Brand
  • Model
  • Serial number
  • Manufacturer
  • Manufacturer’s address
  • Country of origin
  • Voltage
  • Frequency
  • Power capacity
  • Disinfection technology
  • Chamber capacity or airflow rate
  • UV wavelength, where applicable
  • Temperature and pressure, where applicable
  • Safety warnings
  • Storage conditions

For medical devices, the product label, catalog, circulation documentation, and actual imported goods should be checked carefully for consistency.

** See more Electrocardiograph (ECG Machine) Import Procedures

7. Disinfection Machine Import Services

A customs and logistics service provider may support importers with:

  • Import policy review
  • Determination of whether the product is a medical device
  • Medical device classification review
  • Verification of circulation documentation
  • Reference HS code consultation
  • Import duty and VAT review
  • C/O verification
  • Review of the Commercial Invoice
  • Review of the Packing List
  • Product catalog review
  • Datasheet review
  • Product label review
  • Preparation of customs documentation
  • Customs declaration
  • Coordination of physical inspection
  • Customs clearance
  • Delivery to the importer’s warehouse

Reviewing the product technology and intended use before placing an order can significantly reduce the risk of incorrect HS classification or missing medical device documentation.

8. FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

8.1 Is a Disinfection Machine Considered a Medical Device?

Not every disinfection machine is a medical device.

However, machines intended for medical use or specifically designed to disinfect or sterilize medical devices may fall within the scope of medical device regulations.

8.2 What Is the HS Code for a Disinfection Machine?

There is no single HS code for all disinfection machines.

For equipment used to disinfect or sterilize medical devices, a reference code is:

  • 8419.20.00: Medical, surgical or laboratory sterilizers

For certain UV apparatus used to disinfect medical devices, another reference code may be:

  • 9018.20.00

Other types should be analyzed separately.

8.3 Do UV Disinfection Machines and Steam Sterilizers Use the Same HS Code?

Not necessarily.

Steam sterilizers principally use heat and steam, while UV machines use ultraviolet radiation. Different operating principles and functions may result in different HS classifications.

8.4 Can an Air Disinfection Machine Be Classified Under HS 8419.20.00?

It should not be assumed automatically.

HS 8419.20.00 is generally associated with medical, surgical, or laboratory sterilizers. An air disinfection machine should be reviewed according to its filtration system, UV technology, ozone or plasma technology, airflow function, and principal function.

8.5 Is a Product Catalog Required?

Yes. A catalog is particularly important for determining:

  • Disinfection technology
  • Principal function
  • Object being treated
  • Temperature
  • Pressure
  • UV wavelength
  • Power capacity
  • Chamber capacity
  • HS classification

8.6 Is a Plasma Sterilizer Automatically Classified Under HS 8419.20.00?

No.

If it is a plasma sterilization system specifically designed for medical instruments, HS 8419.20.00 may be an appropriate reference starting point. However, the actual operating principle and technical documentation must still be reviewed.

8.7 Can UV Lamps or Filters Be Imported Separately?

Yes. However, components imported separately should have their own HS classification and regulatory requirements determined independently.

They should not automatically use the HS code of the complete machine.

9. Conclusion

Disinfection machine import procedures depend heavily on the technology used, principal function, object being treated, and intended use.

Equipment designed to sterilize medical devices may be considered under reference HS code 8419.20.00, while certain UV apparatus used for medical-device disinfection may be considered under 9018.20.00.

Air disinfection machines, ozone generators, disinfection robots, plasma equipment, spraying machines, and multifunctional systems should not automatically use these codes. Their construction and principal function must be analyzed separately.

Before shipment, businesses should review the medical device status, circulation documentation, HS classification, product labeling, C/O, technical documents, and applicable tax policy to reduce the risk of incorrect classification, missing documentation, customs delays, and additional storage charges.

If you have difficulties when clearing customs, you can choose Just In Time as a companion.

Just In Time's staff is always enthusiastic to support you to handle your work quickly and professionally.

 

JUST IN TIME JOINT STOCK COMPANY

Address: No. 5, Dong Da, Tan Son Hoa Ward, Ho Chi Minh City.

Hotline: +84 83 9910066

Email: info@justintimevn.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justintimevn

** See more Infrared Therapy Lamp Import Procedures

OTHER POST