Product classification
HS code for Fluorescent tube: 8539.31
Lamps, discharge, (excluding ultra-violet), fluorescent, hot cathode.
Classification of fluorescent tube under HS 8539.31
Fluorescent tubes are classified under HS code 8539.31, which specifically covers discharge lamps, other than ultra-violet lamps, that are fluorescent and utilize a hot cathode. This classification is determined by the functional mechanism of the product, where light is produced by the excitation of mercury vapor through an electric discharge, which then causes a phosphor coating inside the glass tube to glow. Under the General Rules for the Interpretation (GRI) of the Harmonized System, products are classified according to the terms of the headings and any relative section or chapter notes. Heading 8539 is dedicated to electric filament or discharge lamps, and sub-heading 8539.31 is the specific international standard for the common fluorescent tube used in residential, commercial, and industrial lighting.
- Covers
- Linear fluorescent tubes (T5, T8, T12)
- Circular fluorescent lamps (Circline)
- U-bent fluorescent tubes
- Compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) without integrated electronic ballasts (pin-base)
- Hot cathode discharge lamps for general lighting
- Also under 8539.31
- Philips T8 fluorescent
- Sylvania Octron
- GE F32T8
- Osram Dulux D/E CFL
- Feit Electric CFL
Codes often confused with 8539.31
Common mistake. A frequent point of confusion involves LED tubes, which are often mistaken for fluorescent tubes due to their identical form factor. However, LED tubes must be classified under 8539.52. Another common error is misclassifying ultraviolet (UV) fluorescent tubes under this code; UV lamps are specifically excluded from 8539.31 and are instead classified under 8539.49. Furthermore, if the fluorescent lamp has an integrated ballast (common in screw-in CFLs), some jurisdictions may look toward 8539.31, but modern updates to the HS nomenclature have increasingly shifted integrated units toward specific subheadings or 8539.39 depending on the cathode type.
Top exporters and importers of HS 853931 (the code used for fluorescent tube), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 853931 (the code used for fluorescent tube) 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.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 853931, not only fluorescent tube.
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 fluorescent tube
Brazil splits HS 8539.31 into 6 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 8539.31.11Self-ballasted fluorescent lamps, over 5 mg Hg
- 8539.31.19Self-ballasted fluorescent lamps, 5 mg Hg or less
- 8539.31.20Other hot-cathode fluorescent lamps
- 8539.31.31Triband fluorescent tubes, over 5 mg mercury
- 8539.31.32Halophosphate fluorescent tubes, over 10 mg Hg
- 8539.31.39Other hot-cathode fluorescent tubes
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about fluorescent tube
What is the HS code for Fluorescent tube?
The HS code for Fluorescent tube is 853931 (Lamps; discharge, (excluding ultra-violet), fluorescent, hot cathode). The primary HS code for a standard hot cathode fluorescent tube is 8539.31.
How do I classify Fluorescent tube for customs?
Fluorescent tube is classified under HS code 853931 — Lamps; discharge, (excluding ultra-violet), fluorescent, hot cathode. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include the light fixture or housing?
No, HS code 8539.31 only covers the glass tube/lamp itself. Complete lighting fixtures or luminaires are classified under heading 9405.
Which countries are the top exporters of fluorescent tube (HS 853931)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 853931 (the code used for fluorescent tube) 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 fluorescent tube (HS 853931)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 853931 (the code used for fluorescent tube) 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.
Is the HS code for Fluorescent tube the same in all countries?
The base HS code 853931 for Fluorescent tube is internationally standardized for the first 6 digits across 200+ countries. Individual countries may add additional digits for national tariff lines and specific classifications.
What is the NCM code for fluorescent tube in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 853931 into 6 NCM codes, so the right one for fluorescent tube depends on the product's details: 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).