Heading 8532

Electrical capacitors, fixed, variable or adjustable (pre-set); parts thereof

29 declarable lines

Heading 8532 covers electrical capacitors: fixed, variable and adjustable (pre-set), plus their parts. It splits by capacitor type and, for fixed capacitors, by dielectric material such as tantalum, aluminum electrolytic, ceramic, paper or plastics, mica and other. All declarable lines in this heading carry a general (MFN) rate of Free.

Products in this heading

Multilayer ceramic chip capacitors (MLCCs) for surface mounting
Tantalum chip capacitors designed for surface mounting by contact
Aluminum electrolytic capacitors, radial or snap-in, by diameter
Power capacitors for 50/60 Hz circuits with at least 0.5 kvar reactive power
Film capacitors with paper or plastics dielectric for AC service
Mica or ceramic trimmer capacitors, pre-set adjustable type
Bare capacitor parts such as cases, lids and terminal assemblies

How to choose the right subheading

Decide whether the part is a fixed capacitor, a variable or adjustable (pre-set) capacitor, or a part of a capacitor.
For fixed capacitors, identify the dielectric material: tantalum, aluminum electrolytic, ceramic single layer, ceramic multilayer, paper or plastics, mica, or other.
For tantalum and ceramic types, choose between chips (surface mount) and leaded versions (axial or radial leads).
For aluminum electrolytic types, use the case diameter in millimeters to pick the line.
For paper or plastics dielectric, determine whether it is for AC service (then pick the voltage band) or other use, and whether it is leadless, axial or radial.

Often confused with

Lithium-ion or alkaline batteries
Cells that store and release energy by chemical reaction are batteries, not capacitors.
Heading 8507
Fixed resistors, rheostats and potentiometers
Resistors limit current by resistance; capacitors store charge.
Heading 8533
Semiconductor chips and memory devices
Monolithic integrated circuits are classified as integrated circuits, not as discrete capacitors.
Heading 8542
Varistors and thermistors
Voltage-dependent and temperature-dependent resistors belong with resistors.
Heading 8533

Frequently asked questions

What is the HTS code for multilayer ceramic chip capacitors?

Multilayer ceramic dielectric capacitors in chip form are classified under 8532.24.00.20. The general (MFN) rate for that line is Free.

What is the duty on tantalum capacitors for surface mounting?

Tantalum capacitors designed for surface mounting by contact fall under 8532.21.00.50. The general (MFN) rate is Free.

How do I classify an aluminum electrolytic capacitor?

Use the case diameter to pick the line within 8532.22: for example, 8532.22.00.20 for diameters not exceeding 18 mm and 8532.22.00.40 for diameters exceeding 18 mm but not exceeding 35 mm. Both lines carry a general (MFN) rate of Free.

Guide written from the official schedule text. Rates quoted are general (MFN) rates; check the line page for trade agreement rates and the classification of your exact product.