HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8539.31 – Lamps; discharge, (excluding ultra-violet), fluorescent, hot cathode
HS code 8539.31 is the 6-digit subheading for lamps, discharge, (excluding ultra-violet), fluorescent, hot cathode. It is used for T8 fluorescent tubes, T12 fluorescent tubes, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), U-bend fluorescent lamps and circular fluorescent lamps.
What HS 8539.31 covers
This category covers fluorescent lamps that utilize a hot cathode, including traditional fluorescent tubes and many compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). These lamps gained popularity for their energy efficiency compared to incandescent bulbs and were widely adopted in commercial, industrial, and institutional settings. International trade involves both new installations, particularly in regions still transitioning from older technologies, and a substantial replacement market. However, the global market for these lamps is steadily declining as LED alternatives become more prevalent and cost-effective. Importers include construction companies, retail chains, and facility managers, while major exporters are typically countries with established lighting manufacturing industries and strong supply chains for components.
- Covers
- T8 fluorescent tubes
- T12 fluorescent tubes
- Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs)
- U-bend fluorescent lamps
- Circular fluorescent lamps
- PL-L fluorescent lamps
- Linear fluorescent lamps
- Examples
- Philips T8 fluorescent
- Sylvania Octron
- GE F32T8
- Osram Dulux D/E CFL
- Feit Electric CFL
Codes often confused with 8539.31
Common mistake. Often confused with LED tubes (853952) which are designed as direct replacements, but operate on a fundamentally different principle. Other discharge lamps like mercury or sodium vapor lamps (853932) are also distinct.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 853931, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 853931 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 52% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 20% 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 $153M 52% of world exports
- 2 Poland $18M 6.2% of world exports
- 3 India $16M 5.3% of world exports
World total: $295M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $65M 20% of world imports
- 2 Japan $24M 7.3% of world imports
- 3 South Korea $21M 6.2% of world imports
World total: $331M 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.
Brazil NCM codes for 8539.31 6
Brazil splits HS 8539.31 into 6 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 8539.31.1 Lamps, with built-in electronic ballast and E 14, E 27 or E 40 screw baseLâmpadas, com reator eletrônico incorporado e base rosca E 14, E 27 ou E 40 Group
- 8539.31.11 Self-ballasted fluorescent lamps, over 5 mg HgQue contenham mais de 5 mg de mercúrio por cada invólucro (tubo)
- 8539.31.19 Self-ballasted fluorescent lamps, 5 mg Hg or lessOutras
- 8539.31.20 Other hot-cathode fluorescent lampsOutras lâmpadas
- 8539.31.3 TubesTubos Group
- 8539.31.31 Triband fluorescent tubes, over 5 mg mercuryCom fósforo tribanda e que contenham mais de 5 mg de mercúrio
- 8539.31.32 Halophosphate fluorescent tubes, over 10 mg HgCom fósforo em halofosfato e que contenham mais de 10 mg de mercúrio
- 8539.31.39 Other hot-cathode fluorescent tubesOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 85.39 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 8539.31
What is HS code 853931?
HS code 853931 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Lamps; discharge, (excluding ultra-violet), fluorescent, hot cathode. This category covers fluorescent lamps that utilize a hot cathode, including traditional fluorescent tubes and many compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). These lamps gained popularity for their energy efficiency compared to incandescent bulbs and were widely adopted in commercial, industrial, and institutional settings. International trade involves both new installations, particularly in regions still transitioning from older technologies, and a substantial replacement market. However, the global market for these lamps is steadily declining as LED alternatives become more prevalent and cost-effective. Importers include construction companies, retail chains, and facility managers, while major exporters are typically countries with established lighting manufacturing industries and strong supply chains for components.
What products fall under HS code 853931?
T8 fluorescent tubes, T12 fluorescent tubes, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), U-bend fluorescent lamps, circular fluorescent lamps, PL-L fluorescent lamps, linear fluorescent lamps
What are common misclassifications for HS code 853931?
Often confused with LED tubes (853952) which are designed as direct replacements, but operate on a fundamentally different principle. Other discharge lamps like mercury or sodium vapor lamps (853932) are also distinct.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 853931?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 853931 in UN Comtrade data were China ($153M, 52% of world exports), Poland ($18M) and India ($16M). World exports came to about $295M, 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 853931?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 853931 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($65M, 20% of world imports), Japan ($24M) and South Korea ($21M). World imports came to about $331M, 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 853931 structured?
HS code 853931 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (85) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (39) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (31) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 853931?
Brazil splits HS code 853931 into 6 NCM codes: 8539.31.11 (Self-ballasted fluorescent lamps, over 5 mg Hg), 8539.31.19 (Self-ballasted fluorescent lamps, 5 mg Hg or less), 8539.31.20 (Other hot-cathode fluorescent lamps), 8539.31.31 (Triband fluorescent tubes, over 5 mg mercury), 8539.31.32 (Halophosphate fluorescent tubes, over 10 mg Hg), 8539.31.39 (Other hot-cathode fluorescent tubes). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.