Data spotlight: High taxes keep glasses out of reach

Glasses treated like luxury goods  

In 2026, Nepal will join the limited number of countries which have removed all duties on glasses. However, in many low- and middle-income countries, glasses are still taxed like consumer products, not essential health tools. Tariffs, value-added tax (VAT), and bureaucratic hurdles add significant cost to basic vision care.  

Extra costs from border to buyer  

Import duties on spectacles and their components can range from 5–25%, with VAT adding another 10–20%. These charges are passed down the supply chain, raising prices by significantly by the time glasses reach a consumer.  

Barriers from border to buyer  

In addition to formal taxes, slow and unpredictable importation procedures create hidden costs that delay delivery and discourage market entry. Even for large international suppliers, navigating fragmented regulations, customs clearance, and certification requirements can be costly and complex. These constraints reduce the supply of affordable glasses and weaken the ability of NGOs, public providers, and social enterprises to deliver affordable services.  

Policy solutions to improve access  

Exempting glasses, lenses, and spare parts from import duties, and simplifying customs process, would make them more affordable. Fast-tracking registration for assistive products and reviewing local procurement rules would open the market and drive down prices. Each country will have its own approach, but making small regulatory shifts could mean millions more people can afford the glasses they need.  

Source: Frontier Economics (2024) Glasses for all: Improving supply to the poorest, Market Entry Guide for Assistive Technology, ATscale/UNICEF (2024) 

Photo credit: Keith Kalu