U.S. imports of Variable Resistors, Rheostats & Potentiometers (Not Elsewhere Specified) (HS 853340) totaled $40.6M in August 2026, imported from 62 countries.
Importers of Variable Resistors, Rheostats & Potentiometers (Not Elsewhere Specified) paid $4.6M in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 12.07% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Variable Resistors, Rheostats & Potentiometers (Not Elsewhere Specified) imports of $40.6M in August 2026 ran 19% above the year-to-date monthly average of $34.0M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataNon-wirewound variable resistors — including cermet potentiometers, metal-glaze types, metal oxide varistors (MOVs), and rheostat-type motor starters — are classified here when they do not fall under the wirewound or carbon-film headings. Metal oxide varistors (8533404000) are a commercially significant subset, widely used as transient voltage suppressors in power supplies, surge protectors, and motor drives. Mexico and Japan are leading suppliers, with China also a major source subject to potential Section 301 tariff exposure.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
3.8K import shipments a month
Yes. MOVs have a dedicated 10-digit line (8533404000) within heading 853340, separate from cermet potentiometers (8533408050), metal-glaze potentiometers (8533408060), rheostat-type motor starters (8533408040), and the residual variable resistor line (8533408070). MOVs function as voltage-dependent resistors rather than manually adjustable devices, but they remain classified within this heading rather than as discrete semiconductor devices.
Rheostat and resistor-type motor starters and controllers are specifically provided for at 8533408040 within this heading. If the motor starter uses a different switching technology (e.g., contactors, solid-state drives), it would likely fall outside heading 8533 entirely and require classification under the appropriate switchgear or power electronics heading.
Subheading 1 of 7 in heading 8533
Subheading 853340 · $40.6M of $97.1M
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8533408070 | Variable Resistors, NESOI | $32.6M | 10.57% | 69.50% | $3.4M |
| 8533404000 | Metal Oxide Varistors | $2.8M | 30.17% | 95.05% | $853K |
| 8533408050 | Variable Resistors/ Potentiometers Cermet, NESOI | $1.4M | 12.61% | 64.13% | $180K |
| 8533408040 | Rheostat & Resistor Type Motor Starters/Controlers | $1.2M | 9.45% | 51.37% | $118K |
| 8533408060 | Variable Resistors/Potentiometers, Metal Glaze | $10K | 12.50% | 100.00% | $1K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 8533400080 | Variable Resistors, Including Potentiometers, NESOI | $43.4M |
| 8533400040 | Rheostat & Resistor Type Motor Starters/Controlers | $636K |
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.
Imports · August 2026
origin
China pays 36.0% duty; Mexico 0.4%.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
25.2% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 12.07% of imports for consumption.
ImportsExports
Imports
$40.6MYoY · free account
Exports
$44.1MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $394.5M of Variable Resistors, Rheostats & Potentiometers (Not Elsewhere Specified) and exported $374.9M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.