Figures on this page were checked in September 2026. Sources are listed with each figure. Fiscal years in Pakistan run from July to June.
The short answer
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How big is it? | About $445 million in 2025 |
| Where is it made? | Sialkot |
| Is the US a buyer? | Sialkot instruments go mainly to hospitals and medical distributors in Europe and North America, much of it through brand owners who sell the instruments under their own names. |
| Do you buy our goods? | No. We are your US partner, not a distributor. You sell directly to US buyers. |
| Our commission | 5 percent of paid orders from buyers we introduce |
Pakistan's surgical instruments exports: the numbers
| Figure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Pakistan's surgical instrument exports, 2024 | About $492 million | Surgical Instruments Manufacturers Association of Pakistan (SIMAP) |
| Pakistan's surgical instrument exports, 2025 | About $445 million | SIMAP |
| Change in fiscal year 2025-26 | Flat (down 0.03 percent) | Pakistan Bureau of Statistics |
| US imports from Pakistan of medical, optical and precision instruments, 2025 | $141.4 million | UN Comtrade data, via Trading Economics |
What the numbers mean
Pakistan is a major supplier of surgical instruments, but official commentary on the export data notes that much of the value is captured by international brands that remarket Pakistani-made instruments in Western countries. Selling under your own name, or directly to distributors, keeps more of that value in Pakistan.
Where it is made
Almost the whole industry is in and around Sialkot, built by thousands of small and medium workshops over more than a century. Makers produce general surgery, orthopedic, ENT, gynecology, ophthalmic and veterinary instruments, from forging to final polishing.
Where it is sold
Sialkot instruments go mainly to hospitals and medical distributors in Europe and North America, much of it through brand owners who sell the instruments under their own names. Across all products, the US bought $5.76 billion of goods from Pakistan in 2025, more than any other country.
Products we help you sell
- General surgery instruments: scissors, forceps, needle holders, retractors
- Orthopedic, ENT, gynecology and ophthalmic instruments
- Single use and reusable instrument sets
- Veterinary instruments
- Instrument trays and cases
Who buys surgical instruments in the US
- Surgical supply distributors
- Private label brands that sell under their own name
- Veterinary supply companies
- Online medical supply stores
- Surgery centers and clinics buying through distributors
Large US channels in this field
- National medical distributors such as Medline, McKesson, Cardinal Health, Owens and Minor, and Henry Schein
- Veterinary distributors, which buy the same instrument types for animal care
- Private label instrument brands that sell to surgery centers and hospitals
- Online medical supply stores and specialty kit makers
We name these companies and events to show the kind of buyer in this field. It does not mean we have a relationship with them.
A business partner, not a distributor
Many Pakistani surgical instruments makers sell through distributors and importers. That can be good business, and we can help you win distributors as buyers. But when a distributor stands between you and the market, your name rarely reaches the end buyer and much of the value stays abroad.
We work differently. We are your US office and sales team, working for you:
| A distributor | Pak Export Partners | |
|---|---|---|
| Who owns the goods | The distributor buys your goods and owns them | We never own your goods |
| Whose name the buyer sees | Often the distributor's brand, not yours | Your company and your brand |
| Who sets the resale price | The distributor, with its own markup | You set your price. We add no markup |
| How they earn | A margin on every unit they resell | A monthly fee plus commission only on paid orders |
| Who keeps the buyer list | The distributor | You. Every buyer contact is in your monthly report |
Because we do not buy your goods, we have no reason to push your price down. We win when you get paid.
US rules to know before you ship
- Your factory must register with the FDA each year, list its devices, pay the yearly FDA registration fee and name a US agent. Most basic instruments are Class I devices, which usually do not need FDA premarket clearance but must still follow FDA quality rules.
- US Customs requires knives, scissors, clippers, surgical instruments and similar items to be permanently marked with the country of origin, for example by etching, stamping or engraving "Pakistan" on the item itself. A sticker is not enough.
- US buyers usually ask for ISO 13485 certification and test reports for the steel you use.
We are not a licensed customs broker or regulatory consultant. For work that needs a license, we coordinate licensed US partners and include them in your plan. See our US labeling guide and customs guide.
How we help
- A US company, Chicago address and US phone, so buyers deal with an American business
- A website and catalog with US sizes, US prices and quote forms, built to be found on Google
- Cold outreach to US buyers in this product line, with samples shipped from Chicago
- Buyer checks before you ship on credit
- Retail sales through Amazon USA or your own Shopify store, where it fits
We work with surgical instruments makers and exporters anywhere in Pakistan, especially in Sialkot.
Commission for this industry
On our US Sales Desk plans, commission for surgical instruments is 5 percent of paid orders from buyers we introduce. You pay nothing on orders that are not paid, and nothing on your existing buyers. See all prices.
Common questions
Do surgical instruments from Pakistan need FDA approval?
Most basic surgical instruments are Class I medical devices. They usually do not need FDA premarket clearance, but the factory must register with the FDA, list its devices, pay the yearly fee and follow FDA quality rules.
Can I sell surgical instruments on Amazon USA?
Yes, but medical devices are a restricted category. Amazon asks for approval and documents first. We check your products before you list.
Do you buy surgical instruments from us and resell them?
No. We are not a distributor. We never own your goods. You sell directly to US buyers, and we earn a monthly fee plus commission only on paid orders.
Can you help us sell to US distributors?
Yes. Distributors are often good buyers. We find them, present your products and follow up, and you keep the relationship and set your price.