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HSChapter 85
U.S. imports of wirewound variable resistors (rheostats & potentiometers), power capacity not exceeding 20 w (HS 853331) totaled $1.5M in April 2026, traded with 20 countries.
Importers of Wirewound Variable Resistors (Rheostats & Potentiometers), Power Capacity Not Exceeding 20 W paid $26K in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 12% on $215K in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: April 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.
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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Monthly import values over time
| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEXICO | $1.2M | $234K | -$1.0M |
| HONG KONG | -- | $663K | +$663K |
| GERMANY | $78K | $376K | +$299K |
| KOREA, SOUTH | -- | $245K | +$245K |
| SINGAPORE | -- | $168K | +$168K |
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8533310000 | WIREWOUND VARIABLE RESISTORS, LT 20 W | $1.5M | 12.23% | $26K |
WIREWOUND VARIABLE RESISTORS, LT 20 W
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 8533310000 | WIREWOUND VARIABLE RESISTORS, LT 20 W | $2.4M |
WIREWOUND VARIABLE RESISTORS, LT 20 W
669.2K no
MACH FOR RECP/CONVR/TRANS/REGN OF VOICE/IMAGE/DATA
HS 851762
SOLID-STATE NON-VOL SEMICONDUCTOR STORAGE DEVICES
HS 852351
SMARTPHONES
HS 851713
PROCESSORS AND CONTROLLERS, ELECTRONIC INTEG CIRCT
HS 854231
CONTROLS ETC W ELECT APPR F ELECT CONT NOV 1000 V
HS 853710
STATIC CONVERTERS; ADP POWER SUPPLIES
HS 850440
| State | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $1.2M | $1.6M | +$380K |
| Texas | $40K | $313K | +$274K |
| Massachusetts | $49K | $61K | +$12K |
| Port | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| OTAY MESA, CA | $1.1M | $29K | -$1.1M |
| LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, CA | $13K | $802K | +$789K |
| NEW ORLEANS, LA | $55K | $342K | +$287K |