Product classification
HS code for Mercury vapor lamp: 8539.32
Lamps, discharge, (excluding ultra-violet), mercury or sodium vapour lamps, metal halide lamps.
Classification of mercury vapor lamp under HS 8539.32
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.
- Covers
- 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
- Also under 8539.32
- Philips SON-T
- Osram NAV-T
- GE Lucalox
- Sylvania Metalarc
- Venture Lighting Metal Halide
Codes often confused with 8539.32
Common mistake. 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.
Top exporters and importers of HS 853932 (the code used for mercury vapor lamp), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 853932 (the code used for mercury vapor lamp) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 22% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 24% 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 853932, not only mercury vapor lamp.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $76M 22% of world exports
- 2 Germany $57M 16% of world exports
- 3 Poland $43M 13% of world exports
World total: $347M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $89M 24% of world imports
- 2 Germany $34M 9.3% of world imports
- 3 Poland $31M 8.6% of world imports
World total: $366M 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 mercury vapor lamp
Brazil splits HS 8539.32 into 3 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 8539.32.10Mercury vapour lamps
- 8539.32.20Sodium vapour lamps
- 8539.32.30Metal halide lamps
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about mercury vapor lamp
What is the HS code for Mercury vapor lamp?
The HS code for Mercury vapor lamp is 853932 (Lamps; discharge, (excluding ultra-violet), mercury or sodium vapour lamps, metal halide lamps). The correct HS code for mercury vapor discharge lamps is 8539.32.
How do I classify Mercury vapor lamp for customs?
Mercury vapor lamp is classified under HS code 853932 — Lamps; discharge, (excluding ultra-violet), mercury or sodium vapour lamps, metal halide lamps. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
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.
Which countries are the top exporters of mercury vapor lamp (HS 853932)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 853932 (the code used for mercury vapor lamp) in UN Comtrade data were China ($76M, 22% of world exports), Germany ($57M) and Poland ($43M). World exports came to about $347M, 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 mercury vapor lamp (HS 853932)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 853932 (the code used for mercury vapor lamp) in UN Comtrade data were China ($89M, 24% of world imports), Germany ($34M) and Poland ($31M). World imports came to about $366M, 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 Mercury vapor lamp the same in all countries?
The base HS code 853932 for Mercury vapor 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 mercury vapor lamp in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 853932 into 3 NCM codes, so the right one for mercury vapor lamp depends on the product's details: 8539.32.10 (Mercury vapour lamps), 8539.32.20 (Sodium vapour lamps), 8539.32.30 (Metal halide lamps).