HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8532.30 – Electrical capacitors; variable or adjustable (pre-set) capacitors
HS code 8532.30 is the 6-digit subheading for electrical capacitors, variable or adjustable (pre-set) capacitors. It is used for trimmer capacitors, variable air capacitors, variable ceramic capacitors, variable film capacitors and tuning capacitors.
What HS 8532.30 covers
This HS code covers variable or adjustable (pre-set) electrical capacitors, which are essential for fine-tuning electronic circuits, particularly in radio frequency (RF) applications, oscillators, and filters. Unlike fixed capacitors, their capacitance can be altered, either manually or mechanically, to achieve precise circuit performance. They are widely traded for use in communication equipment, test and measurement instruments, medical devices, and specialized industrial electronics. Importers include manufacturers of radio transceivers, antenna tuners, and precision instrumentation. Exporters are typically specialized component manufacturers. Key trade considerations involve capacitance range, tuning mechanism (e.g., air, ceramic, film), and stability, which are critical for the accuracy and reliability of the end product.
- Covers
- Trimmer capacitors
- Variable air capacitors
- Variable ceramic capacitors
- Variable film capacitors
- Tuning capacitors
- Pre-set capacitors
- Differential variable capacitors
- Examples
- Murata Trimmer Capacitors
- Vishay Variable Capacitors
- Sprague-Goodman Variable Capacitors
- Johanson Technology Variable Capacitors
Codes often confused with 8532.30
Common mistake. Can be confused with fixed capacitors (85322X) if their adjustable nature is overlooked, leading to incorrect classification based solely on dielectric material rather than functionality.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 853230, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 853230 in UN Comtrade data was Switzerland, with 28% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, 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 Switzerland $93M 28% of world exports
- 2 Hong Kong $51M 15% of world exports
- 3 United States $48M 14% of world exports
World total: $336M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $67M 16% of world imports
- 2 Malaysia $64M 15% of world imports
- 3 Taiwan* ~$36M 8.4% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $426M 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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. UN Comtrade records Taiwan as "Other Asia, not elsewhere specified". Saudi Arabia's exports under that code are left out: they are far too large to be trade with Taiwan, so mostly undisclosed partners. 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 8532.30 2
Brazil splits HS 8532.30 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 8532.30.10 SMD variable or adjustable capacitorsPróprios para montagem em superfície (SMD - Surface Mounted Device)
- 8532.30.90 Other variable or adjustable capacitorsOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 85.32 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 8532.30
What is HS code 853230?
HS code 853230 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Electrical capacitors; variable or adjustable (pre-set) capacitors. This HS code covers variable or adjustable (pre-set) electrical capacitors, which are essential for fine-tuning electronic circuits, particularly in radio frequency (RF) applications, oscillators, and filters. Unlike fixed capacitors, their capacitance can be altered, either manually or mechanically, to achieve precise circuit performance. They are widely traded for use in communication equipment, test and measurement instruments, medical devices, and specialized industrial electronics. Importers include manufacturers of radio transceivers, antenna tuners, and precision instrumentation. Exporters are typically specialized component manufacturers. Key trade considerations involve capacitance range, tuning mechanism (e.g., air, ceramic, film), and stability, which are critical for the accuracy and reliability of the end product.
What products fall under HS code 853230?
Trimmer capacitors, variable air capacitors, variable ceramic capacitors, variable film capacitors, tuning capacitors, pre-set capacitors, differential variable capacitors
What are common misclassifications for HS code 853230?
Can be confused with fixed capacitors (85322X) if their adjustable nature is overlooked, leading to incorrect classification based solely on dielectric material rather than functionality.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 853230?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 853230 in UN Comtrade data were Switzerland ($93M, 28% of world exports), Hong Kong ($51M) and the United States ($48M). World exports came to about $336M, 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 853230?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 853230 in UN Comtrade data were China ($67M, 16% of world imports), Malaysia ($64M) and Taiwan (about $36M). World imports came to about $426M, 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 853230 structured?
HS code 853230 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (85) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (32) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (30) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 853230?
Brazil splits HS code 853230 into 2 NCM codes: 8532.30.10 (SMD variable or adjustable capacitors), 8532.30.90 (Other variable or adjustable capacitors). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.