Find HS Code and trade information for car exterior light bulbs & leds

Car Exterior Light Bulbs & LEDs

Car exterior light bulbs and LEDs are illumination devices mounted on the outside of a vehicle to provide visibility, indicate operational status, and enhance safety. They have evolved significantly from traditional incandescent bulbs to more efficient and durable LED technology.

Materials

• Incandescent Bulbs: Traditionally used tungsten filament within a glass enclosure, often with a protective coating to modify light color.
• Halogen Bulbs: A type of incandescent bulb containing halogen gases, offering brighter output and longer lifespan than standard incandescent bulbs.
• LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes): Semiconductor devices that emit light when current passes through them. Common materials include gallium arsenide, gallium phosphide, and other semiconductor compounds. Often encased in durable plastics and feature heat sinks for thermal management.
• Housing: Typically constructed from polycarbonate or other impact-resistant plastics to withstand environmental conditions and physical impacts.

Purpose & Function

• Illumination: Providing light for visibility during nighttime driving and adverse weather conditions (headlights, fog lights).
• Signaling: Communicating the vehicle's intentions to other drivers and pedestrians (turn signals, brake lights, hazard lights).
• Safety: Enhancing vehicle visibility to reduce the risk of accidents.
• Aesthetics: Modern LED designs offer styling options and unique light signatures.

Usage Scenarios

• Headlights: Primary lighting for forward visibility. Low beams for general driving, high beams for increased range.
• Taillights: Indicate the vehicle's presence and braking status.
• Brake Lights: Illuminate brightly when the brakes are applied.
• Turn Signals: Indicate the direction of intended turns.
• Hazard Lights (Emergency Flashers): Warn other drivers of a vehicle malfunction or hazard.
• Fog Lights: Improve visibility in foggy or inclement weather conditions.
• Daytime Running Lights (DRL): Increase vehicle visibility during daylight hours.
• Reverse Lights: Illuminate the area behind the vehicle when reversing.
• Side Marker Lights: Indicate the vehicle's width and presence.

Common Types

• Halogen Bulbs: Older technology, still widely used, relatively inexpensive. Lower efficiency and shorter lifespan compared to LEDs.
• LED Bulbs: Most modern vehicles are equipped with LEDs, offering superior brightness, longevity, and energy efficiency.
• HID (High-Intensity Discharge) Bulbs: Produce light by creating an arc of electricity between two electrodes. Brighter than halogen but require ballasts and can produce glare. Less common in newer vehicles.
• Laser Lights: Emerging technology offering extremely long range and narrow beam, but currently used in limited high-end vehicles.
• Specific Bulb Types (by function):
  • H1, H3, H4, H7, H11: Common headlight bulb types.
  • 9005, 9006: Common headlight and fog light bulb types.
  • T10, T15: Used in various indicator and marker lights.
  • P21W, P21/5W: Used in brake lights and turn signals.
  • CANBUS Bulbs: Designed to work with vehicles that have CANBUS (Controller Area Network) systems, preventing error messages.

Car exterior light bulbs and LEDs fall under several classifications depending on the specific type and application. Here's a breakdown of relevant HS codes based on the provided information:

• 8512.20.20.40: This code covers electrical lighting or signaling equipment (excluding articles of heading 8539), windshield wipers, defrosters and demisters, of a kind used for cycles or motor vehicles; parts thereof: Other lighting or visual signaling equipment: Lighting equipment For vehicles of subheading 8701.21, 8701.22, 8701.23, 8701.24 or 8701.29 or heading 8702, 8703, 8704, 8705 or 8711. This specifically applies to exterior lighting for cars. The total tax rate is 55.0%, comprised of a 0.0% base tariff, a 25.0% additional tariff, and a 30.0% additional tariff effective April 2, 2025.
• 8512.20.20.80: This code also covers electrical lighting or signaling equipment (excluding articles of heading 8539), windshield wipers, defrosters and demisters, of a kind used for cycles or motor vehicles; parts thereof: Other lighting or visual signaling equipment: Lighting equipment Other. This is a broader category for lighting equipment used on vehicles. The total tax rate is 55.0%, comprised of a 0.0% base tariff, a 25.0% additional tariff, and a 30.0% additional tariff effective April 2, 2025.
• 8539.10.00.10: This code covers electrical filament or discharge lamps, including sealed beam lamp units and ultraviolet or infrared lamps; arc lamps; light-emitting diode (LED) light sources; parts thereof: Sealed beam lamp units Under 15.24 cm: For vehicles of subheading 8701.21, 8701.22, 8701.23, 8701.24 or 8701.29 or heading 8702, 8703, 8704, 8705 or 8711. This applies to sealed beam lamp units used in vehicle exterior lighting, specifically those under 15.24 cm in size. The total tax rate is 57.0%, comprised of a 2.0% base tariff, a 25.0% additional tariff, and a 30.0% additional tariff effective April 2, 2025.
• 8539.52.00.91: This code covers electrical filament or discharge lamps, including sealed beam lamp units and ultraviolet or infrared lamps; arc lamps; light-emitting diode (LED) light sources; parts thereof: Light-emitting diode (LED) light sources: Light-emitting diode (LED) lamps Other. This applies to LED lamps used as vehicle exterior lighting. The total tax rate is 32.0%, comprised of a 2.0% base tariff, a 0.0% additional tariff, and a 30.0% additional tariff effective April 2, 2025.

Important Note: The tax rates are subject to change, with an additional tariff increase to 30.0% taking effect on April 2, 2025.