Product classification

HS code for Metal halide lamp: 8539.32

Lamps, discharge, (excluding ultra-violet), mercury or sodium vapour lamps, metal halide lamps.

Classification of metal halide lamp under HS 8539.32

Metal halide lamps are classified under HS code 8539.32, which is situated within Chapter 85 (Electrical machinery and equipment). Heading 8539 covers electric filament or discharge lamps, including sealed beam lamp units and ultra-violet or infra-red lamps. Metal halide lamps are a type of high-intensity discharge (HID) lamp that produces light by an electric arc through a gaseous mixture of vaporized mercury and metal halides (compounds of metals with bromine or iodine). The classification is specific to the technology of the lamp itself rather than the fixture it is placed in. Subheading 8539.32 specifically identifies mercury or sodium vapor lamps and metal halide lamps. This classification is crucial for distinguishing these older, high-output lighting technologies from newer solid-state lighting like LEDs or traditional incandescent bulbs. The HS code applies to the bulb or tube itself, which is designed to be inserted into a compatible ballast-controlled fixture. These lamps are widely used in stadium lighting, high-bay industrial lighting, and street lighting due to their high lumen output and color rendering properties.

Covers
  • High-intensity discharge (HID) metal halide bulbs
  • Quartz metal halide lamps
  • Ceramic metal halide (CMH) lamps
  • Metal halide tubes for warehouse lighting
  • Replacement metal halide lamps for sports floodlights
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. Metal halide lamps are often confused with LED lamps, which are classified under HS code 8539.50. Another common misclassification occurs with tungsten halogen lamps, which fall under HS code 8539.21. It is also important to distinguish the lamp (the bulb) from the luminaire (the fixture). Complete light fixtures containing metal halide lamps should be classified under HS code 9405. Finally, ultra-violet metal halide lamps used for curing or medical purposes are classified under 8539.49 rather than 8539.32.

8539.21Lamps; filament, (excluding ultra-violet or infra-red), tungsten halogen94.05Luminaires and light fittings; including searchlights, spotlights and parts thereof, n.e.c.; illuminated signs, name-plates and the like, having permanently fixed light source and parts thereof n.e.c. or included8539.49Lamps; ultra-violet or infra-red lamps, (excluding arc-lamps)

Top exporters and importers of HS 853932 (the code used for metal halide lamp), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 853932 (the code used for metal halide 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 metal halide lamp.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 China $76M
  2. 2 Germany $57M
  3. 3 Poland $43M

World total: $347M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 China $89M
  2. 2 Germany $34M
  3. 3 Poland $31M

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 metal halide lamp

Brazil splits HS 8539.32 into 3 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.

Questions about metal halide lamp

What is the HS code for Metal halide lamp?

The HS code for Metal halide lamp is 853932 (Lamps; discharge, (excluding ultra-violet), mercury or sodium vapour lamps, metal halide lamps). The HS code for metal halide discharge lamps is 8539.32.

How do I classify Metal halide lamp for customs?

Metal halide 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 or the fixture?

No, this code is only for the lamp (bulb). Ballasts are classified under 8504 and fixtures under 9405.

Which countries are the top exporters of metal halide lamp (HS 853932)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 853932 (the code used for metal halide 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 metal halide lamp (HS 853932)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 853932 (the code used for metal halide 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 Metal halide lamp the same in all countries?

The base HS code 853932 for Metal halide 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 metal halide lamp in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 853932 into 3 NCM codes, so the right one for metal halide 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).