HS Code for Mercury vapor lamp

Mercury vapor lamps are classified under HS code 8539.32. This classification is situated within Chapter 85, which covers electrical machinery and equipment. Heading 8539 specifically addresses electric filament or discharge lamps, including sealed beam lamp units and ultra-violet or infra-red lamps. Mercury vapor lamps are a specific type of high-intensity discharge (HID) lamp that produces light by creating an electric arc through vaporized mercury within a quartz or glass tube. Subheading 8539.32 is dedicated to discharge lamps, excluding ultra-violet lamps, specifically those utilizing mercury or sodium vapor, as well as metal halide lamps. The classification is based on the physical mechanism of light production (discharge) and the specific gas or metal vapor used to generate the illumination. These lamps are commonly used for large-area overhead lighting, such as in factories, warehouses, and streetlights, due to their long life and efficiency. For customs purposes, the lamp must be a complete unit (the bulb or tube) but does not include the external ballast, housing, or fixture. According to GRI 1 and 6, the technical specifications of the lamp, particularly its spectral output and the presence of mercury vapor, are the primary factors in determining this specific subheading over other discharge lamp categories.

Products Included

• High-pressure mercury vapor lamps
• Clear and phosphor-coated mercury discharge bulbs
• Mercury-sodium vapor hybrid lamps
• Metal halide lamps (often grouped under the same subheading)
• Mercury discharge tubes for industrial lighting

Common Misclassification

Mercury vapor lamps are frequently misclassified under 8539.31, which is reserved for fluorescent lamps (hot cathode). While fluorescent lamps also contain mercury, they operate differently and have their own specific code. Another common error is using 8539.49 for lamps used in industrial curing; if the lamp is designed specifically to emit ultraviolet radiation, it must be classified as a UV lamp under 8539.49 rather than a standard vapor lamp. Furthermore, the light fixtures themselves are classified under 9405, not 8539.

FAQ

What is the HS code for mercury vapor lamp?

The correct HS code for mercury vapor discharge lamps is 8539.32.

Does this code include the ballast?

No, the electrical ballast required to operate a mercury vapor lamp is classified separately under HS code 8504.10.