💡 Lighting, electrical and solar
HS Code for LED Bulb in India: Import Duty, BIS and Compliance
By Abhishek Sadashiv · 16 years of experience in global logistics · Updated 5 October 2026 · 5 min read
Usual HS code for led bulb (import)
8539 52 00
LED lamps. A screw-in or pin-base LED bulb is a lamp in its own right, not a light fitting.
LED bulbs are one of the first products many new importers try. Small cartons, steady demand, suppliers everywhere in China. But the margin on a bulb is thin, so a wrong code or a held container can wipe out a whole shipment's profit.
Here's how I'd approach the classification and paperwork before you confirm the order.
The usual HS code: 8539 52 00
| Level | Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter | 85 | Electrical machinery and equipment |
| Heading | 8539 | Electric filament or discharge lamps; LED light sources |
| Subheading | 8539 52 | Light-emitting diode (LED) lamps |
| Tariff item | 8539 52 00 | LED lamps |
Since the 2022 HS changes, LED light sources have their own lines in heading 8539: 8539 51 for LED modules and 8539 52 for LED lamps. A standard bulb with a B22 or E27 cap, or a GU10 / MR16 spot lamp, is designed to be screwed or plugged into a holder and replaced when it fails. That makes it a lamp, and 8539 52 00 is the natural home.
Why not 9405 (light fittings)?
This is the most common mix-up I see. Suppliers sometimes put a 9405 code on the invoice because they think of everything with LEDs as "LED lights". But 9405 is for luminaires: the fitting that holds the light source, like a ceiling light, panel or batten. A bulb goes into a fitting; it isn't one.
The other confusion is 8539 51 (LED modules). A module is a board of LEDs meant to be built into something else. A finished bulb with its own cap and driver is a lamp, not a module.
Not sure which line your led bulb falls under?
Describe it or snap a photo. EximSetu asks the 2–4 questions that change the code, then gives the 8-digit HS code with reasoning, the duty in rupees and the compliance checklist.
Check my led bulb →What decides the final classification
- Has a cap or base for a lamp holder (B22, E27, GU10, MR16): usually 8539 52 00.
- LED tube lights (T5, T8 replacements) are generally also lamps, but battens with an integrated fitting usually move to 9405.
- Bare LED boards or chips for assembling bulbs in India go elsewhere (8539 51 for modules, 8541 for LEDs themselves).
- Smart bulbs with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth are still usually lamps, but bring extra compliance (see below).
- Emergency or rechargeable bulbs with a built-in battery can attract questions; check them before you order.
How import duty is worked out
Duty is calculated on the assessable value (CIF in rupees). Basic Customs Duty comes first, then the Social Welfare Surcharge on that duty, then IGST on the total. Lighting duties have been changed through Budget notifications more than once, and FTA rates (for example from ASEAN suppliers) can be very different from the standard rate, so check the current figure for 8539 52 00 on the day you file.
Run your exact bulb through a lookup, or use the free import duty calculator. For pricing, the landed cost calculator helps you see the per-piece cost once freight and clearance are added.
Compliance checklist for LED bulbs
| Requirement | Status | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| BIS registration (CRS) | 🔴 Mandatory | Self-ballasted LED lamps are under BIS Compulsory Registration (IS 16102). The factory needs a registration for each model series, and the R-number must be on the product or pack. |
| Legal Metrology | 🔴 For retail packs | Importer name and address, MRP, net quantity, month and year of import, and customer care details on the box. |
| BEE star label | 🟠 Check | Check whether your bulb type and wattage falls under BEE's labelling programme at the time of import. |
| E-waste EPR | 🟠 Check | Check whether your lamps are covered under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 and whether you need EPR registration with CPCB. |
| WPC approval | 🟠 Check | Only for smart bulbs with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or Zigbee. |
🔴 Mandatory · 🟠 Check · 🟢 Not required
Mistakes that cost importers money
- Accepting a 9405 code from the supplier because "it's an LED light".
- Ordering a new wattage or colour that isn't covered by the factory's BIS registration.
- Printing the wrong R-number, or none at all, on private-label boxes.
- Forgetting Legal Metrology stickers until goods are already at the warehouse and the marketplace rejects the listing.
My advice
With LED bulbs, the code is rarely the hard part. BIS is. Ask the factory for its registration certificate before you pay the advance, and check every model on your order is listed on it. If you're mixing in smart bulbs or rechargeable bulbs, check those variants separately.
Get the exact code and duty for your led bulb
Every variant is different. Answer 2–4 questions and get the 8-digit code with reasoning, duty in rupees and the compliance checklist in minutes.
Check my led bulb free →Written by
16 years of experience in global logistics
Built EximSetu after 16 years in global logistics, watching shipments get held, reassessed or delayed because of a wrong HS code or a missed compliance step. Every guide here is written from that experience, for the people who actually move cargo.
Frequently asked questions
▸What is the HS code for LED bulbs in India?
An LED bulb with a standard cap (B22, E27, GU10) is usually classified under 8539 52 00, which covers LED lamps.
▸Is an LED bulb classified under 9405?
Usually not. Heading 9405 is for light fittings (luminaires). A bulb that fits into a holder is a lamp and goes under 8539 52.
▸Do imported LED bulbs need BIS certification?
Yes. Self-ballasted LED lamps are under BIS Compulsory Registration. The manufacturer must register each model and the registration number must appear on the product or pack.
▸Can I import LED bulbs for my Amazon or Flipkart store?
Yes, as long as the model is BIS registered, the pack carries Legal Metrology details, and you have any EPR registration that applies. Marketplaces usually ask for these documents.
Related HS codes
💡 Full guide: Importing LED Lights and Electrical Goods into India: HS Codes, BIS and QCOs →This page is general information, not legal advice. The usual code can change with the exact product, and rates and rules change by notification. Always confirm for your exact product with your customs broker or the official notification.