Chapter 85 covers electric motors, electrical equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories thereof. This chapter is the main chapter in the HS classification for technology-intensive products, involving various types of equipment for the production, conversion, storage, transmission and application of electrical energy. The scope of this chapter ranges from simple electrical components (such as switches, fuses) to complex electronic systems (such as integrated circuits, communication equipment), but excludes products separately specified in other chapters (such as machinery of Chapter 84, optical instruments of Chapter 90). Heading 8539 covers incandescent lamps, discharge lamps (including straight fluorescent lamps, compact fluorescent lamps, high-pressure sodium lamps, metal halide lamps, etc.), arc lamps, light-emitting diode (LED) lamps and parts thereof. This heading mainly targets lighting devices that produce optical radiation through electrical energy, excluding LED modules (classified under 8531 or 8541) and luminaires (classified under 9405). The subdivision of 8539 is mainly based on the type, power and use of the lamp. First 2 digits 85: belongs to Chapter 85 (electric motors, electrical equipment). Digits 3-4: 39: heading 8539, referring to incandescent lamps, discharge lamps and arc lamps. Digits 5-6: 67: subheading 853967, specifically referring to straight fluorescent lamps, i.e., hot cathode fluorescent lamps, with tube diameters usually T5, T8, T12, etc., used for general lighting. This subheading was newly added in HS2017; previously straight fluorescent lamps were classified under 853931 (hot cathode fluorescent lamps). 853967 further distinguishes straight tube type from other fluorescent lamps (such as compact, circular). Straight fluorescent lamps belong to hot cathode fluorescent lamps among discharge lamps. Their light-emitting principle is that low-pressure mercury vapor discharge produces ultraviolet rays, which excite the phosphor on the tube wall to emit light. They do not conform to other shapes of 853931 (hot cathode fluorescent lamps) (such as U-shaped, circular), nor do they belong to 853939 (other discharge lamps) or 853941 (arc lamps). Therefore, according to the tube shape (straight tube) and type (fluorescent lamp), they are classified under 853967.
Chapter
Chapter 85 covers electric motors, electrical equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories thereof. This chapter is the main chapter in the HS classification for technology-intensive products, involving various types of equipment for the production, conversion, storage, transmission and application of electrical energy. The scope of this chapter ranges from simple electrical components (such as switches, fuses) to complex electronic systems (such as integrated circuits, communication equipment), but excludes products separately specified in other chapters (such as machinery of Chapter 84, optical instruments of Chapter 90).
Heading
Heading 8539 covers incandescent lamps, discharge lamps (including straight fluorescent lamps, compact fluorescent lamps, high-pressure sodium lamps, metal halide lamps, etc.), arc lamps, light-emitting diode (LED) lamps and parts thereof. This heading mainly targets lighting devices that produce optical radiation through electrical energy, excluding LED modules (classified under 8531 or 8541) and luminaires (classified under 9405). The subdivision of 8539 is mainly based on the type, power and use of the lamp.
Digit Breakdown
First 2 digits 85: belongs to Chapter 85 (electric motors, electrical equipment). Digits 3-4: 39: heading 8539, referring to incandescent lamps, discharge lamps and arc lamps. Digits 5-6: 67: subheading 853967, specifically referring to straight fluorescent lamps, i.e., hot cathode fluorescent lamps, with tube diameters usually T5, T8, T12, etc., used for general lighting. This subheading was newly added in HS2017; previously straight fluorescent lamps were classified under 853931 (hot cathode fluorescent lamps). 853967 further distinguishes straight tube type from other fluorescent lamps (such as compact, circular).
Classification Basis
Straight fluorescent lamps belong to hot cathode fluorescent lamps among discharge lamps. Their light-emitting principle is that low-pressure mercury vapor discharge produces ultraviolet rays, which excite the phosphor on the tube wall to emit light. They do not conform to other shapes of 853931 (hot cathode fluorescent lamps) (such as U-shaped, circular), nor do they belong to 853939 (other discharge lamps) or 853941 (arc lamps). Therefore, according to the tube shape (straight tube) and type (fluorescent lamp), they are classified under 853967.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: The Chinese and foreign language names of the declared commodity shall be specific and clear, such as "straight fluorescent lamp" or "Straight fluorescent lamp". Use: Explain the main application scenarios of the lamp, such as indoor lighting, industrial lighting, commercial lighting, etc. Brand: The brand name of the declared product; if there is no brand, fill in "no brand". Model: The model or specification code of the product, such as T8-36W-1200mm. Power: The rated power of the lamp, in watts (W), such as 18W, 36W. Tube diameter: The diameter of the lamp tube, commonly expressed as T, such as T5, T8, T12, and the specific value must be indicated (e.g., T8=26mm). Color temperature: The color temperature of the lamp, in kelvin (K), such as 2700K, 6500K. Brand type: Fill in the brand type according to customs regulations, such as no brand, domestic independent brand, foreign brand, etc. Product name: straight fluorescent lamp (Straight fluorescent lamp); Use: indoor lighting; Brand: Philips; Model: T8-36W-1200mm; Power: 36W; Tube diameter: T8 (26mm); Color temperature: 6500K; Brand type: foreign brand. Confusing straight fluorescent lamps with LED tubes; LED tubes should be classified under 853950 or 853952. Ignoring the declaration of tube diameter, resulting in inability to distinguish subheadings such as T5, T8, T12. Incorrect declaration of power, such as filling 36W as 40W, affecting classification and statistics.
Product name
The Chinese and foreign language names of the declared commodity shall be specific and clear, such as "straight fluorescent lamp" or "Straight fluorescent lamp".
⚠️ Only writing "fluorescent lamp" without indicating straight tube type, or mistakenly writing it as "LED tube".
Use
Explain the main application scenarios of the lamp, such as indoor lighting, industrial lighting, commercial lighting, etc.
⚠️ Filling in "lighting" is too general and does not distinguish the specific place.
Brand
The brand name of the declared product; if there is no brand, fill in "no brand".
⚠️ Mistakenly filling in the manufacturer name as the brand, or omitting the brand.
Model
The model or specification code of the product, such as T8-36W-1200mm.
⚠️ The model is incomplete, lacking tube diameter or power information.
Power
The rated power of the lamp, in watts (W), such as 18W, 36W.
⚠️ Confusing power with luminous flux, or filling in voltage value.
Tube diameter
The diameter of the lamp tube, commonly expressed as T, such as T5, T8, T12, and the specific value must be indicated (e.g., T8=26mm).
⚠️ Only writing T8 without indicating the diameter, or mistakenly treating length as tube diameter.
Color temperature
The color temperature of the lamp, in kelvin (K), such as 2700K, 6500K.
⚠️ Filling in color rendering index or luminous flux instead of providing color temperature.
Brand type
Fill in the brand type according to customs regulations, such as no brand, domestic independent brand, foreign brand, etc.
⚠️ Confusing brand type with brand name, or failing to fill in according to specifications.
Confusing straight fluorescent lamps with LED tubes; LED tubes should be classified under 853950 or 853952.
Ignoring the declaration of tube diameter, resulting in inability to distinguish subheadings such as T5, T8, T12.
Incorrect declaration of power, such as filling 36W as 40W, affecting classification and statistics.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is the light-emitting principle and shape of the lamp. Straight fluorescent lamps belong to hot cathode fluorescent lamps, and their shape is straight tube, different from other fluorescent lamps (such as circular, U-shaped, compact). The HS2017 version lists straight fluorescent lamps separately, mainly considering their market circulation volume and trade statistics needs. When classifying, it is necessary to confirm: 1) whether it is a discharge lamp; 2) whether it is hot cathode; 3) whether it is straight tube shape. At the same time, exclude LED tubes (853950) and arc lamps (853941). 853931 Hot cathode fluorescent lamps: 853931 covers all hot cathode fluorescent lamps, but after HS2017 straight fluorescent lamps have been separately classified under 853967, so 853931 now mainly refers to non-straight hot cathode fluorescent lamps (such as circular, U-shaped, compact). 853939 Other discharge lamps: 853939 includes cold cathode fluorescent lamps, high-pressure sodium lamps, metal halide lamps, etc., whose light-emitting principles differ from hot cathode fluorescent lamps, and whose shapes are not limited to straight tubes. 853950 Light-emitting diode (LED) lamps: Although LED tubes are similar in appearance to straight fluorescent lamps, their light-emitting principle is semiconductor light emission, and they are classified under 853950, not 853967. 853941 Arc lamps: Arc lamps emit light through an electric arc and have extremely high brightness, used for film projection, searchlights, etc., different from the low-pressure discharge principle of fluorescent lamps. 940540 Other electric lighting devices: 9405 covers luminaires and lighting devices, including chandeliers, desk lamps, etc., while 8539 covers light sources themselves such as bulbs and tubes; the two are in a complete machine and parts relationship. Confirm whether it is straight tube shape, excluding circular, U-shaped, compact. Confirm whether it is a hot cathode fluorescent lamp, excluding LED, cold cathode. Confirm whether parameters such as power, tube diameter, color temperature are fully declared. Confirm whether the brand type is filled in according to specifications. Confirm whether it is a complete luminaire, avoiding confusion with 9405.
Basis
The core basis for classification is the light-emitting principle and shape of the lamp. Straight fluorescent lamps belong to hot cathode fluorescent lamps, and their shape is straight tube, different from other fluorescent lamps (such as circular, U-shaped, compact). The HS2017 version lists straight fluorescent lamps separately, mainly considering their market circulation volume and trade statistics needs. When classifying, it is necessary to confirm: 1) whether it is a discharge lamp; 2) whether it is hot cathode; 3) whether it is straight tube shape. At the same time, exclude LED tubes (853950) and arc lamps (853941).
Confused Codes：
853931 - Hot cathode fluorescent lamps
853931 covers all hot cathode fluorescent lamps, but after HS2017 straight fluorescent lamps have been separately classified under 853967, so 853931 now mainly refers to non-straight hot cathode fluorescent lamps (such as circular, U-shaped, compact).
853939 - Other discharge lamps
853939 includes cold cathode fluorescent lamps, high-pressure sodium lamps, metal halide lamps, etc., whose light-emitting principles differ from hot cathode fluorescent lamps, and whose shapes are not limited to straight tubes.
853950 - Light-emitting diode (LED) lamps
Although LED tubes are similar in appearance to straight fluorescent lamps, their light-emitting principle is semiconductor light emission, and they are classified under 853950, not 853967.
853941 - Arc lamps
Arc lamps emit light through an electric arc and have extremely high brightness, used for film projection, searchlights, etc., different from the low-pressure discharge principle of fluorescent lamps.
940540 - Other electric lighting devices
9405 covers luminaires and lighting devices, including chandeliers, desk lamps, etc., while 8539 covers light sources themselves such as bulbs and tubes; the two are in a complete machine and parts relationship.
Self-Check：
✓ Confirm whether it is straight tube shape, excluding circular, U-shaped, compact.
✓ Confirm whether it is a hot cathode fluorescent lamp, excluding LED, cold cathode.
✓ Confirm whether parameters such as power, tube diameter, color temperature are fully declared.
✓ Confirm whether the brand type is filled in according to specifications.
✓ Confirm whether it is a complete luminaire, avoiding confusion with 9405.
❓ FAQ
What is the difference in HS codes between straight fluorescent lamps and LED tubes? Straight fluorescent lamps are classified under 853967, belonging to hot cathode fluorescent lamps; LED tubes are classified under 853950, belonging to light-emitting diode lamps. The two have different light-emitting principles, and classification must be judged according to the actual technical type of the product, not merely based on similar appearance. How to inquire about the specific tax rate for straight fluorescent lamps? Tax rates vary depending on country, trade agreement, origin, etc. It is recommended to inquire about the latest tax rates through the official website of the General Administration of Customs, the International Trade Single Window, or professional customs declaration systems, while also paying attention to preferential rates under free trade agreements. Why is tube diameter important when declaring straight fluorescent lamps? Tube diameter is an important parameter for distinguishing specifications of straight fluorescent lamps, commonly T5, T8, T12, etc. Although lamps of different tube diameters are all classified under 853967, it affects customs statistics and price review, so accurate declaration is required. How should straight fluorescent lamps be classified if they come with a lamp holder or bracket? If the lamp tube is assembled with a lamp holder and bracket into one unit and constitutes the characteristics of a complete luminaire, it should be classified under 9405; if only the lamp tube is declared separately, it is classified under 853967. Judgment should be based on the actual state at the time of declaration. What is the key point for distinguishing HS code 853967 from 853931? 853967 specifically refers to straight fluorescent lamps, while 853931 refers to other hot cathode fluorescent lamps (such as circular, U-shaped). Since HS2017, straight fluorescent lamps have been separated from 853931, so when classifying, the first thing to look at is whether the shape is straight tube. What should cross-border e-commerce sellers pay attention to when exporting straight fluorescent lamps? They need to accurately declare elements such as product name, model, power, tube diameter, etc., to avoid customs clearance delays caused by classification errors. At the same time, pay attention to the environmental requirements of the target country for mercury content in fluorescent lamps, such as the EU RoHS Directive. In the declaration elements of straight fluorescent lamps, how should the brand type be filled in? The brand type shall be filled in according to customs specifications, such as no brand, domestic independent brand, foreign brand, etc. If it is OEM production without a brand, fill in "no brand"; if using a foreign brand, fill in "foreign brand" and indicate the brand name. If straight fluorescent lamps are imported as complete sets of knocked-down parts, how should they be classified? If the complete set of knocked-down parts already has the characteristics of a complete lamp tube, classify under 853967 as straight fluorescent lamps; if further assembly into a luminaire is required, it may be classified under 9405. The specific judgment shall be based on the Import and Export Tariff and the General Rules for the Interpretation of the Harmonized System.
Q: What is the difference in HS codes between straight fluorescent lamps and LED tubes?
A: Straight fluorescent lamps are classified under 853967, belonging to hot cathode fluorescent lamps; LED tubes are classified under 853950, belonging to light-emitting diode lamps. The two have different light-emitting principles, and classification must be judged according to the actual technical type of the product, not merely based on similar appearance.
Q: How to inquire about the specific tax rate for straight fluorescent lamps?
A: Tax rates vary depending on country, trade agreement, origin, etc. It is recommended to inquire about the latest tax rates through the official website of the General Administration of Customs, the International Trade Single Window, or professional customs declaration systems, while also paying attention to preferential rates under free trade agreements.
Q: Why is tube diameter important when declaring straight fluorescent lamps?
A: Tube diameter is an important parameter for distinguishing specifications of straight fluorescent lamps, commonly T5, T8, T12, etc. Although lamps of different tube diameters are all classified under 853967, it affects customs statistics and price review, so accurate declaration is required.
Q: How should straight fluorescent lamps be classified if they come with a lamp holder or bracket?
A: If the lamp tube is assembled with a lamp holder and bracket into one unit and constitutes the characteristics of a complete luminaire, it should be classified under 9405; if only the lamp tube is declared separately, it is classified under 853967. Judgment should be based on the actual state at the time of declaration.
Q: What is the key point for distinguishing HS code 853967 from 853931?
A: 853967 specifically refers to straight fluorescent lamps, while 853931 refers to other hot cathode fluorescent lamps (such as circular, U-shaped). Since HS2017, straight fluorescent lamps have been separated from 853931, so when classifying, the first thing to look at is whether the shape is straight tube.
Q: What should cross-border e-commerce sellers pay attention to when exporting straight fluorescent lamps?
A: They need to accurately declare elements such as product name, model, power, tube diameter, etc., to avoid customs clearance delays caused by classification errors. At the same time, pay attention to the environmental requirements of the target country for mercury content in fluorescent lamps, such as the EU RoHS Directive.
Q: In the declaration elements of straight fluorescent lamps, how should the brand type be filled in?
A: The brand type shall be filled in according to customs specifications, such as no brand, domestic independent brand, foreign brand, etc. If it is OEM production without a brand, fill in "no brand"; if using a foreign brand, fill in "foreign brand" and indicate the brand name.
Q: If straight fluorescent lamps are imported as complete sets of knocked-down parts, how should they be classified?
A: If the complete set of knocked-down parts already has the characteristics of a complete lamp tube, classify under 853967 as straight fluorescent lamps; if further assembly into a luminaire is required, it may be classified under 9405. The specific judgment shall be based on the Import and Export Tariff and the General Rules for the Interpretation of the Harmonized System.
⚠️ Disclaimer: HS code classification, declaration elements, tariff rates and regulatory conditions on this page are for reference only and do not constitute legal advice on customs classification. Tariff rates and regulations are subject to change; the latest announcements from the General Administration of Customs and on-site determinations shall prevail. Please consult professional customs brokers or customs authorities before import/export.