HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8516.80 – Resistors; electric heating, other than those of heading no. 8545
HS code 8516.80 is the 6-digit subheading for resistors, electric heating, other than those of heading no. 8545. It is used for tubular heating elements, cartridge heaters, band heaters, strip heaters and finned tubular heaters.
What HS 8516.80 covers
This HS code covers electric heating resistors, which are fundamental components in a vast array of electro-thermic appliances, from industrial furnaces to domestic heaters. These are not the finished appliances themselves but the elements that generate heat. International trade in these resistors is driven by the global manufacturing of heating equipment across various sectors. Major exporters include countries with advanced materials science and precision manufacturing capabilities, such as Germany, Japan, and China, which produce both standard and specialized heating elements. Importers are typically manufacturers of finished goods, located worldwide, who integrate these resistors into their products. Key trade considerations include material composition (e.g., nickel-chromium alloys), power ratings, durability, and compliance with electrical safety standards. The market is highly technical, with demand influenced by industrial production levels and consumer appliance trends. Quality and reliability are paramount for these critical components.
- Covers
- Tubular heating elements
- Cartridge heaters
- Band heaters
- Strip heaters
- Finned tubular heaters
- Ceramic heating elements
- Mica band heaters
- Immersion heaters (elements)
- Examples
- Watlow FIREROD
- Chromalox RTF
- Omega Engineering HSRM
- Tempco TMO
- Durex Industries FTH
Codes often confused with 8516.80
Common mistake. This code is distinct from finished heating appliances (e.g., 851621 for storage heaters) as it covers only the heating resistors themselves. It's also important not to confuse these with carbon electrodes (8545), which are explicitly excluded.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 851680, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 851680 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 17% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 16% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $1.1B 17% of world exports
- 2 Japan $627M 9.6% of world exports
- 3 United States $622M 9.5% of world exports
World total: $6.6B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $966M 16% of world imports
- 2 Germany $516M 8.7% of world imports
- 3 China $426M 7.2% of world imports
World total: $5.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
How these figures are built
109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).
Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.
Brazil NCM codes for 8516.80 2
Brazil splits HS 8516.80 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 8516.80.10 Heating resistors for electric heating appliancesPara aparelhos da presente posição
- 8516.80.90 Other electric heating resistorsOutras
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 85.16 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 8516.80
What is HS code 851680?
HS code 851680 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Resistors; electric heating, other than those of heading no. 8545. This HS code covers electric heating resistors, which are fundamental components in a vast array of electro-thermic appliances, from industrial furnaces to domestic heaters. These are not the finished appliances themselves but the elements that generate heat. International trade in these resistors is driven by the global manufacturing of heating equipment across various sectors. Major exporters include countries with advanced materials science and precision manufacturing capabilities, such as Germany, Japan, and China, which produce both standard and specialized heating elements. Importers are typically manufacturers of finished goods, located worldwide, who integrate these resistors into their products. Key trade considerations include material composition (e.g., nickel-chromium alloys), power ratings, durability, and compliance with electrical safety standards. The market is highly technical, with demand influenced by industrial production levels and consumer appliance trends. Quality and reliability are paramount for these critical components.
What products fall under HS code 851680?
Tubular heating elements, Cartridge heaters, Band heaters, Strip heaters, Finned tubular heaters, Ceramic heating elements, Mica band heaters, Immersion heaters (elements)
What are common misclassifications for HS code 851680?
This code is distinct from finished heating appliances (e.g., 851621 for storage heaters) as it covers only the heating resistors themselves. It's also important not to confuse these with carbon electrodes (8545), which are explicitly excluded.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 851680?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 851680 in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.1B, 17% of world exports), Japan ($627M) and the United States ($622M). World exports came to about $6.6B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 851680?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 851680 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($966M, 16% of world imports), Germany ($516M) and China ($426M). World imports came to about $5.9B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
How is HS code 851680 structured?
HS code 851680 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (85) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (16) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (80) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 851680?
Brazil splits HS code 851680 into 2 NCM codes: 8516.80.10 (Heating resistors for electric heating appliances), 8516.80.90 (Other electric heating resistors). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.