Product classification
HS code for HID lamp: 8539.39
Lamps, discharge, (excluding ultra-violet, excluding fluorescent, hot cathode).
Classification of HID lamp under HS 8539.39
High-Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps are classified under HS code 8539.39 because they function as electrical discharge lamps other than ultraviolet or fluorescent types. This classification is determined by the physical mechanism of light production, which involves an electric arc between tungsten electrodes housed inside a translucent or transparent fused quartz or fused alumina arc tube. This tube is filled with noble gas and often metal salts. The 8539.39 subheading specifically captures discharge lamps that do not fall under the more specific categories of mercury or sodium vapor lamps (8539.32) or fluorescent hot cathode lamps (8539.31). The classification depends on the absence of a fluorescent coating used for primary light emission and the fact that they are not designed specifically for the emission of ultraviolet light. These lamps are characterized by their high lumen output per watt and are typically used in large-area lighting applications where high intensity is required from a compact source.
- Covers
- Metal halide lamps
- Xenon short-arc lamps
- Ceramic discharge metal halide (CDM) lamps
- High-pressure sodium lamps (when not specifically under 8539.32)
- Xenon long-arc lamps used for cinema projection
- Also under 8539.39
- Osram XBO Xenon lamps (non-cinema)
- PerkinElmer Deuterium lamps
- Philips PL-L (non-UV specific variants)
- Ushio UXL (non-cinema)
- Hamamatsu Xenon lamps
Codes often confused with 8539.39
Common mistake. HID lamps are frequently misclassified under HS code 8539.32, which is reserved specifically for mercury or sodium vapor lamps. While many HID lamps contain these elements, the 8539.39 code is the residual category for other discharge lamps that may use different gas mixtures or metal halides. Another common error is using 8539.52 for LED lamps, which operate on a completely different physical principle (electroluminescence in a semiconductor) rather than gas discharge. Additionally, arc lamps for specialized laboratory use might be confused with 8539.41, which is specifically for arc lamps used in cinematography or searchlights.
Top exporters and importers of HS 853939 (the code used for HID lamp), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 853939 (the code used for HID lamp) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 33% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 23% 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 853939, not only HID lamp.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $81M 33% of world exports
- 2 Philippines $33M 14% of world exports
- 3 Germany $30M 12% of world exports
World total: $242M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $65M 23% of world imports
- 2 United States $27M 9.8% of world imports
- 3 Hong Kong $24M 8.6% of world imports
World total: $279M 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 HID lamp
Brazil splits HS 8539.39 into 5 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 8539.39.11Backlight tubes up to 500 mm, over 3.5 mg Hg
- 8539.39.12Backlight tubes over 500 to 1,500 mm, over 5 mg Hg
- 8539.39.13Backlight tubes over 1,500 mm, over 13 mg Hg
- 8539.39.19Other screen backlight fluorescent tubes
- 8539.39.90Other discharge lamps and tubes
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about HID lamp
What is the HS code for HID lamp?
The HS code for HID lamp is 853939 (Lamps; discharge, (excluding ultra-violet, excluding fluorescent, hot cathode)). The HS code for HID lamps, categorized as discharge lamps (excluding ultra-violet and fluorescent), is 8539.39.
How do I classify HID lamp for customs?
HID lamp is classified under HS code 853939 — Lamps; discharge, (excluding ultra-violet, excluding fluorescent, hot cathode). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are automotive Xenon bulbs classified here?
Yes, most automotive Xenon HID headlamp bulbs are classified under 8539.39 as they are discharge lamps that do not meet the specific definitions of mercury vapor or fluorescent lamps.
Which countries are the top exporters of HID lamp (HS 853939)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 853939 (the code used for HID lamp) in UN Comtrade data were China ($81M, 33% of world exports), the Philippines ($33M) and Germany ($30M). World exports came to about $242M, 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 HID lamp (HS 853939)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 853939 (the code used for HID lamp) in UN Comtrade data were China ($65M, 23% of world imports), the United States ($27M) and Hong Kong ($24M). World imports came to about $279M, 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 HID lamp the same in all countries?
The base HS code 853939 for HID lamp 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 HID lamp in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 853939 into 5 NCM codes, so the right one for HID lamp depends on the product's details: 8539.39.11 (Backlight tubes up to 500 mm, over 3.5 mg Hg), 8539.39.12 (Backlight tubes over 500 to 1,500 mm, over 5 mg Hg), 8539.39.13 (Backlight tubes over 1,500 mm, over 13 mg Hg), 8539.39.19 (Other screen backlight fluorescent tubes), 8539.39.90 (Other discharge lamps and tubes).