I would like to know if I can take HID lamps such as metal halide and high pressure sodium lamps in

checked baggage on an airplane.

Reason I am asking this question here is I couldn't find any web sources giving me an accurate

answer. Has anyone ever successfully brought HID lamps on an airline? Currently, my buddy has a huge

lot of HID lamps he plans to bring to me. I need to let him know before July 27 whether he can take

them on a plane without security giving him trouble or he has to mail them internationally.

Any advice would be gladly appreciated!

Many years ago, yes, I did.

Even when there is nothing explicite about lamps, definitely mercury is banned substance (because it can eat up anything aluminum based in a very short time and at the same time this damage is not visible by commonly used eddy current tests designed to detect hidden cracks, as Hg is also conductive, hence the huge danger mercury poses to aircrafts), so someone may claim that to refuse/ban them.

Otherwise make sure they are very well packed, so the Hg can not escape the packaging even when the lamp gets smashed.

Thank you for your advice.

The lamps were packed in original packaging in a sealed tote so even if they were to shatter, it is

contained.

I brought home eight 35W Philips CMH lamps from Italy just yesterday. Some were in checked luggage, others were in my carry-on. Italian security didn't bat an eye.

Yep, bought back HID, fluorescent, CFL, ballasts, and incandescent lamps back on international and domestic flights before. Usually in checked luggage and didn't really have any major problems with them.

Good to know. Thanks everyone!

I have carried all kinds of lamps by hand baggage and never had any problems at all.  If that is OK then I am sure checked baggage should be fine - but due to the way those are handled I would not want to risk it for any larger or more fragile HID lamps that are probably best carried by hand.