HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 85.39 – Lamps; electric filament or discharge lamps, including sealed beam lamp units and ultra-violet or infra-red lamps, arc lamps, light-emitting diode (LED) light sources
What HS 85.39 covers
Heading 8539 encompasses a broad range of electric lamps, serving as the primary classification for devices that produce light through various electrical principles. This includes traditional electric filament lamps (incandescent, halogen), discharge lamps (fluorescent, mercury vapour, sodium vapour, xenon arc), ultra-violet and infra-red lamps, arc lamps, and, notably, modern Light-Emitting Diode (LED) light sources. The scope is defined by the function of generating light, regardless of the technology used, and includes sealed beam lamp units commonly found in automotive applications. This heading is distinct from complete lighting fixtures or luminaires, which fall under heading 9405, focusing solely on the light-generating element itself. The classification of LED light sources here highlights the significant evolution in lighting technology, moving towards more energy-efficient and longer-lasting solutions. For importers and exporters, accurate classification under 8539 is crucial for compliance with safety standards, energy efficiency regulations, and environmental directives that often vary by lamp type and region. Historically, this heading has seen a shift from traditional filament lamps to discharge lamps and now predominantly to LEDs, reflecting global efforts towards sustainability. Its placement in Section XVI (Electrical Machinery and Equipment) underscores its fundamental role as an electrical device, often requiring careful consideration alongside parts and accessories classified elsewhere in the chapter.
- Covers
- Incandescent light bulbs
- Halogen lamps
- Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs)
- Fluorescent tubes
- LED light bulbs
- LED filament bulbs
- LED modules (for lighting)
- Automotive sealed beam headlamps
- Automotive LED headlamps
- UV germicidal lamps
- Infra-red heating lamps
- Xenon arc lamps
- Mercury vapor lamps
- Sodium vapor lamps
- Stage lighting lamps
- Projector lamps
- Photographic flash lamps
- Grow lights (LED type)
- Medical examination lamps (bulb portion)
- LED strips (flexible, as light sources)
- Neon indicator lamps
- Aircraft landing lamps
- Underwater LED lights (as light sources)
- Aquarium LED lights (as light sources)
- High-intensity discharge (HID) lamps.
- Examples
A major Chinese manufacturer exports millions of LED household bulbs to the European Union, benefiting from trade agreements that reduce tariffs on energy-efficient products, primarily using sea freight routes. A German company specializes in high-power UV curing lamps, which it ships via air cargo to industrial clients in the United States and Japan for use in manufacturing processes like printing and surface treatment. An automotive parts supplier in Mexico regularly ships sealed beam halogen headlamp units to assembly plants in Canada and the USA, crucial for the North American automotive supply chain. A Vietnamese factory produces LED grow lights for indoor farming, exporting them to agricultural distributors in the Netherlands and other European countries, addressing the growing demand for controlled environment agriculture. An American company imports specialized infra-red lamps from Japan for use in its medical diagnostic equipment, requiring careful handling and expedited air freight due to their sensitive nature.
Subheadings under 85.39 12
Codes often confused with 85.39
Common mistake. Common misclassifications under 8539 often arise when distinguishing between the lamp itself and the complete lighting fixture. Traders might incorrectly classify a finished luminaire (e.g., a desk lamp, a street light pole with an integrated LED array) under 8539, when the entire fixture belongs to heading 9405. Another pitfall is confusing individual LEDs or LED arrays (components, 8541) with a complete LED light source designed to be plugged in (8539). Additionally, parts of lamps, such as bases or filaments, are generally classified under 8539's subheadings for parts or other relevant headings like 8536 for lampholders, not the complete lamp. The key distinction is whether the item is merely the light-generating element or a complete apparatus that incorporates the light source.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 8539, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 8539 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 44% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 18% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $5.5B 44% of world exports
- 2 Germany $1.4B 11% of world exports
- 3 United States $641M 5.1% of world exports
World total: $12.6B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $2.3B 18% of world imports
- 2 Germany $1.0B 7.7% of world imports
- 3 China $536M 4.1% of world imports
World total: $13.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
How these figures are built
109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).
Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.
Questions about HS 85.39
What is HS code 8539?
HS code 8539 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Lamps; electric filament or discharge lamps, including sealed beam lamp units and ultra-violet or infra-red lamps, arc lamps, light-emitting diode (LED) light sources. Heading 8539 encompasses a broad range of electric lamps, serving as the primary classification for devices that produce light through various electrical principles. This includes traditional electric filament lamps (incandescent, halogen), discharge lamps (fluorescent, mercury vapour, sodium vapour, xenon arc), ultra-violet and infra-red lamps, arc lamps, and, notably, modern Light-Emitting Diode (LED) light sources. The scope is defined by the function of generating light, regardless of the technology used, and includes sealed beam lamp units commonly found in automotive applications. This heading is distinct from complete lighting fixtures or luminaires, which fall under heading 9405, focusing solely on the light-generating element itself. The classification of LED light sources here highlights the significant evolution in lighting technology, moving towards more energy-efficient and longer-lasting solutions. For importers and exporters, accurate classification under 8539 is crucial for compliance with safety standards, energy efficiency regulations, and environmental directives that often vary by lamp type and region. Historically, this heading has seen a shift from traditional filament lamps to discharge lamps and now predominantly to LEDs, reflecting global efforts towards sustainability. Its placement in Section XVI (Electrical Machinery and Equipment) underscores its fundamental role as an electrical device, often requiring careful consideration alongside parts and accessories classified elsewhere in the chapter.
What products fall under HS code 8539?
Incandescent light bulbs, Halogen lamps, Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs), Fluorescent tubes, LED light bulbs, LED filament bulbs, LED modules (for lighting), Automotive sealed beam headlamps, Automotive LED headlamps, UV germicidal lamps, Infra-red heating lamps, Xenon arc lamps, Mercury vapor lamps, Sodium vapor lamps, Stage lighting lamps, Projector lamps, Photographic flash lamps, Grow lights (LED type), Medical examination lamps (bulb portion), LED strips (flexible, as light sources), Neon indicator lamps, Aircraft landing lamps, Underwater LED lights (as light sources), Aquarium LED lights (as light sources), High-intensity discharge (HID) lamps.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 8539?
Common misclassifications under 8539 often arise when distinguishing between the lamp itself and the complete lighting fixture. Traders might incorrectly classify a finished luminaire (e.g., a desk lamp, a street light pole with an integrated LED array) under 8539, when the entire fixture belongs to heading 9405. Another pitfall is confusing individual LEDs or LED arrays (components, 8541) with a complete LED light source designed to be plugged in (8539). Additionally, parts of lamps, such as bases or filaments, are generally classified under 8539's subheadings for parts or other relevant headings like 8536 for lampholders, not the complete lamp. The key distinction is whether the item is merely the light-generating element or a complete apparatus that incorporates the light source.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 8539?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 8539 in UN Comtrade data were China ($5.5B, 44% of world exports), Germany ($1.4B) and the United States ($641M). World exports came to about $12.6B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 8539?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 8539 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($2.3B, 18% of world imports), Germany ($1.0B) and China ($536M). World imports came to about $13.0B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
How is HS code 8539 structured?
HS code 8539 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 85 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (85) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (39) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.