Worldwide Customs & Regulatory Updates


Import Controls of General Lighting Services (GLS) Electric Filament Lamps 

Importing General Lighting Service (GLS) Electric Filament Lamps into Australia is prohibited under the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 (the Regulations) effective February 1, 2009, unless an import permission has been granted.

The Regulations require a person seeking to import GLS lamps to obtain permission from the Minister for Environment, Heritage and the Arts prior to the importation. Permissions will only be granted in a limited number of circumstances.

The prohibition covers a range of inefficient GLS electric filament lamps as set out in Australian Standard 4934.2 - Incandescent Lamps for General Lighting Services, Part 2: Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) Requirements.

The prohibited lamps have the following characteristics:

 Voltage

  ≥ 220V
 Wattage

  < 150 Watts
(typically 25, 40, 60, 75 and 100 Watts)
Base: either of –
AND  

 bayonet 

 screw
Shape: any of –
WITH 

pear

 tubular 

mushroom 
 Bulb diameter

 ≥ 50mm
 Finish: either of - 

 clear 

 frosted
 Filament 

 conventional filament


The import prohibition does not apply to GLS lamps that are imported as part of other equipment, coloured GLS lamps, silvered GLS lamps, candle lamps; fancy round lamps; halogen or compact fluorescent lamps (CFL).

The maximum penalty for importing these goods without import approval is a fine not exceeding $110,000 or 5 times the value of the goods, whichever is greater.

For import permission and all other enquiries, please contact the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, (02) 6274 1111 or energyrating@environment.gov.au