Sourcing tungsten halogen lamps from China
Tungsten halogen lamps from China carry 0% UK duty across the listed lamp codes. Household halogen bulbs have been phased out, so check the exact model's ecodesign position and intended use before ordering. Specify the cap, voltage and filament position. Cambridge China Bridge sources tungsten halogen lamps.
0% duty on the listed tungsten halogen lamps
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 October 2026, heading 8539 covers electric lamps and light sources. Its tungsten halogen lines distinguish motor-vehicle lamps from other lamps by voltage. All listed tungsten halogen lamp lines carry 0% duty for goods from China, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. The table also includes separately supplied lamp bases.
The tariff attaches an export control of mercury to the other tungsten halogen lamp lines. Confirm its relevance with your customs broker rather than treating it as an import prohibition. Separately supplied lamp bases carry an import control of mercury; ask your broker to confirm the requirement for the actual goods from China before shipment.
Confirm the intended use, rated voltage and whether the shipment contains complete lamps or separate bases before choosing the commodity code. For the wider lighting family, see LED bulbs, battens and floodlights. A tariff classification alone does not establish whether a lamp is suitable for sale.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tungsten halogen lamps for motorcycles or other motor vehicles | 8539 21 30 00 | 0% | None |
| Other tungsten halogen lamps for voltages exceeding 100 V | 8539 21 92 90 | 0% | None |
| Other tungsten halogen lamps for voltages not exceeding 100 V | 8539 21 98 90 | 0% | None |
| Lamp bases supplied separately, including bases for halogen lamps | 8539 90 10 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the application, cap and filament
Start with the equipment in which the lamp will operate. Record rated voltage, wattage, cap geometry, overall dimensions, filament position, operating orientation, reflector or clear envelope, light output and claimed life. For vehicle replacements, identify the original lamp and intended headlamp assembly. Keep an approved sample and a drawing showing the dimensions that determine fit and beam alignment.
Household halogen bulbs have been phased out. Before buying a replacement range, check the exact model's ecodesign scope, applicable requirements and any claimed exemption. Do not accept a supplier's description of 'special purpose' as sufficient evidence. For regulated products, a declaration of conformity must be supported by technical documentation. Arrange a testing and certification review before committing to production.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 100 tungsten halogen replacement lamps for an application checked before ordering; illustrative order under 8539 21 92 90, invoiced at £200 free on board, with £100 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £300. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £300, so it is £60. With no duty, the only import tax is the VAT, which a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Fit: compare cap dimensions, contact position, envelope length and filament location with the approved drawing and sample.
Construction: inspect glass or quartz for cracks, loose caps, damaged pins, poor seals and visible contamination. Check that protective packing prevents lamps touching.
Performance: operate samples at the specified voltage in a suitable guarded fixture. Compare power consumption, light output, beam alignment and early failures with the agreed specification.
Identification: match model markings, voltage, wattage, batch identification and packaging to the order and supporting documents. Keep arrival samples for comparison with later batches.
What goes wrong
A matching cap does not guarantee a matching lamp. Filament displacement can alter the beam, and an incorrect voltage rating can cause dim output or early failure. Poor seals, loose contacts and inadequate packing can leave a shipment with intermittent lamps or broken envelopes. Agree acceptance criteria and retain the approved sample before production.
A replacement description can also conceal an unsuitable intended use. Resolve saleability before paying for stock, then keep the application description consistent across specifications, supporting documents and packaging. Require written approval for changes to filament geometry, envelope material, cap construction or the factory's production specification.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on tungsten halogen lamps from China?
The listed tungsten halogen lamp codes carry 0% duty, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing duty, in the tariff data read on 5 October 2026.
Can I import halogen bulbs for household resale?
Household halogen bulbs have been phased out. Check the exact model's ecodesign position before ordering; 0% customs duty does not establish saleability.
How do I specify a replacement halogen lamp?
Identify the equipment and original lamp. Agree voltage, wattage, cap dimensions, filament position, envelope dimensions, operating orientation and light output against an approved sample.
What should I check when halogen lamps arrive?
Check broken envelopes, loose caps, damaged contacts, model markings and protective packing. Test samples for fit, power consumption, light output, beam alignment and early failures.