U.S. exports of Variable or Adjustable (Pre-Set) Capacitors (HS 853230) totaled $5.8M in August 2026.
Importers of Variable or Adjustable (Pre-Set) Capacitors paid $380K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 12.39% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Variable or Adjustable (Pre-Set) Capacitors imports of $3.2M in August 2026 ran 19% above the year-to-date monthly average of $2.7M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataVariable and pre-set adjustable capacitors serve tuning and trimming functions in RF circuits, oscillators, and precision instruments, and the US schedule divides them between mica, ceramic, or glass dielectric types (8532300010) and all other variable or adjustable capacitors (8532300090). Switzerland leads US imports under this heading — an unusual sourcing pattern that reflects the concentration of precision instrument and RF component manufacturing in Swiss and broader European industry, with Japan and Dominican Republic as secondary suppliers. The relatively narrow commercial volume of this heading belies its importance in high-value defense, aerospace, and telecommunications equipment.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
195 import shipments a month
Both variable (user-adjustable during operation) and pre-set (factory- or installer-adjusted, then fixed) capacitors are covered within heading 853230. The 10-digit split is by dielectric material — mica, ceramic, or glass versus all others — not by whether the capacitor is continuously variable or pre-set. The manufacturer's dielectric specification determines the correct line.
Classification of combination assemblies depends on which component imparts the essential character. If the variable capacitor is the primary functional element and the fixed capacitor is ancillary (e.g., a padding capacitor), the assembly would generally classify under 853230. If the assembly is more complex and neither element clearly dominates, GRI 3(c) or a binding ruling request from CBP may be warranted.
Subheading 7 of 9 in heading 8532
Subheading 853230 · $5.8M of $187.0M
Trade Directory
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HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Imports for consumption | Average duty rate | Dutiable Share | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8532300090 | Variable or Adjustable Capacitors, NESOI | $2.8M | 11.76% | 87.67% | $327K |
| 8532300010 | Mica/Crmc/Glass Dielctrc Variabl/ Adjust Capacitrs | $292K | 18.34% | 95.65% | $54K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 8532300010 | Mica/Crmc/Glass Dielctrc Variabl/ Adjust Capacitrs | $3.6M |
| 8532300090 | Variable or Adjustable Capacitors, NESOI | $2.2M |
Import lines come from the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule and export lines from Schedule B. The two are numbered by different agencies, so the same 10-digit code can appear in both tables describing a different product.
ImportsExports
Imports
$3.2MYoY · free account
Exports
$5.8MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $32.4M of Variable or Adjustable (Pre-Set) Capacitors and exported $53.0M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Exports · August 2026
destination
Mexico and Taiwan together take 69% of it.
customs district
origin
entry
rate provision · imports
10.8% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 12.39% of imports for consumption.