Harmonized System
U.S. exports of Wirewound Variable Resistors (Rheostats & Potentiometers), Power Capacity Not Exceeding 20 W (HS 853331) totaled $2.2M in August 2026.
Importers of Wirewound Variable Resistors (Rheostats & Potentiometers), Power Capacity Not Exceeding 20 W paid $45K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 3.21% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: August 2026 dataWirewound variable resistors at or below 20 watts — including panel-mount rheostats and precision wirewound potentiometers — are used in motor speed control, audio equipment, laboratory instruments, and industrial process controls where stable, repeatable resistance adjustment is required. The wirewound construction distinguishes these from cermet or conductive-plastic variable resistors classified elsewhere in heading 8533. Mexico leads US import supply under this heading, consistent with its role as a major nearshore assembler of electromechanical and industrial control components; Germany is a notable source of precision European-made types.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
190 import shipments a month
The resistive element material is the key criterion: wirewound types use a resistance wire wound on a former, while cermet types use a ceramic-metal composite film and conductive-plastic types use a polymer-based track. Wirewound units rated ≤20 W fall under 853331; non-wirewound variable resistors, including cermet and conductive-plastic potentiometers, are classified under 853340 regardless of power rating.
Classification is based on the rated (continuous) power handling capacity as specified by the manufacturer, not peak or surge ratings. A wirewound rheostat with a 15 W continuous rating but a 30 W short-term surge rating would still be classified under the ≤20 W heading (853331).
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8533310000 | Wirewound Variable Resistors, Lt 20 W | $1.4M | 3.21% | 15.87% | $45K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 8533310000 | Wirewound Variable Resistors, Lt 20 W | $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.
Subheading 6 of 7 in heading 8533
Subheading 853331 · $2.2M of $112.2M
ImportsExports
Imports
$1.4MYoY · free account
Exports
$2.2MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $16.8M of Wirewound Variable Resistors (Rheostats & Potentiometers), Power Capacity Not Exceeding 20 W and exported $25.0M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Exports · August 2026
destination
customs district
origin
entry
rate provision · imports
82.8% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 3.21% of imports for consumption.