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HSChapter 85
U.S. exports of wirewound variable resistors (rheostats & potentiometers), power capacity not exceeding 20 w (HS 853331) totaled $2.3M in July 2026.
Importers of Wirewound Variable Resistors (Rheostats & Potentiometers), Power Capacity Not Exceeding 20 W paid $41K in duties in July 2026 — an effective duty rate of 13% on $321K in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Wirewound Variable Resistors (Rheostats & Potentiometers), Power Capacity Not Exceeding 20 W imports of $1.9M in July 2026 ran 19% above the year-to-date monthly average of $1.6M.
Last updated: July 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.
233 shipments/mo
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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Subheading 6 of 7 in heading 8533
Subheading 853331 · $1.9M of $92.0M
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % | Dutiable Share | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8533310000 | Wirewound Variable Resistors, Lt 20 W | $1.9M | 2.21% | 17.29% | $41K |
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 | $2.3M |
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
$1.9MYoY · Pro
Exports
$2.3MYoY · Pro
12-mo low · imports
YoY · ProThrough July 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Exports · July 2026
destination
Germany and Hong Kong together take 49% of it.
customs district
origin
entry
rate provision · imports
82.1% enters free of duty; the effective duty rate is 2.21%.