Heading 8533

Electrical resistors (including rheostats and potentiometers), other than heating resistors; parts thereof

25 declarable lines

Heading 8533 covers electrical resistors, including rheostats and potentiometers, other than heating resistors, plus their parts. It is split first by fixed versus variable type, then by material and construction, and for fixed and wirewound variable resistors by a 20 W power handling threshold. Parts sit in 8533.90.

Products in this heading

Surface mount chip resistors (SMD)
Dual-in-line and single-in-line resistor networks
Carbon composition and carbon film fixed resistors
Wirewound variable resistors and rheostats rated 20 W or less
Panel-mount potentiometers
Light dimmer controls using wirewound variable resistors
Metal oxide varistors (MOVs)
Ceramic or metallic parts for variable resistors

How to choose the right subheading

Decide whether the article is a fixed resistor, a variable resistor (including rheostat or potentiometer), or a part.
For fixed resistors, check the power handling capacity: 20 W or less goes to 8533.21, above that to 8533.29.
For fixed carbon types, identify carbon composition or carbon film versus other film constructions.
Check whether the part is designed for surface mounting by contact, and count terminals or leads to separate two-terminal parts from networks.
For variable resistors, separate wirewound from other types, then apply the 20 W threshold to wirewound goods.

Often confused with

Electric heating resistors
Heating resistors are excluded from 8533 and are covered by the electrothermic appliance heading.
Heading 8516
Electrical capacitors, fixed or variable
Capacitors are a separate component heading even when they look similar to resistors.
Heading 8532
Voltage limiters and surge suppressors for circuits above 1,000 V
Protective apparatus for high-voltage circuits belongs to the switch and protection heading.
Heading 8535
Plugs, sockets and other connectors
Connection apparatus for circuits not exceeding 1,000 V is classified outside 8533.
Heading 8536
Carbon electrodes and carbon brushes
Articles of graphite or carbon for electrical purposes go to the carbon article heading.
Heading 8545

Frequently asked questions

What is the HTS code for surface mount chip resistors?

Flat resistor chips designed for surface mounting with two terminals are classified under 8533.21.00.30, with a general (MFN) rate of Free.

What is the duty on potentiometers and rheostats?

Wirewound variable resistors for a power handling capacity not exceeding 20 W fall under 8533.31.00.00, general (MFN) Free. Other variable resistors, including cermet types, fall under 8533.40.80.50, general (MFN) Free.

How do I classify a resistor network?

A fixed carbon resistor network with more than two terminals designed for surface mounting goes to 8533.10.00.20, general (MFN) Free. A non-carbon network with more than two leads in single-in-line form goes to 8533.21.00.50, general (MFN) 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.