HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8533.21 – Electrical resistors; fixed, for a power handling capacity not exceeding 20W (including rheostats and potentiometers but excluding heating resistors and carbon resistors)
HS code 8533.21 is the 6-digit subheading for electrical resistors, fixed, for a power handling capacity not exceeding 20W (including rheostats and potentiometers but excluding heating resistors and carbon resistors). It is used for metal film resistors, thick film chip resistors, thin film resistors, wirewound fixed resistors (low power) and surface mount resistors (SMD).
What HS 8533.21 covers
This HS code covers fixed electrical resistors designed for low-power applications, specifically those with a power handling capacity not exceeding 20 watts. These components are ubiquitous in modern electronics, serving critical functions like current limiting, voltage division, and signal conditioning in a vast array of devices. Key importers are electronics manufacturing services (EMS) providers, consumer electronics assemblers, and automotive electronics producers, particularly in regions with strong manufacturing bases. Exporters are typically specialized component manufacturers, often concentrated in East Asia. The trade in these resistors is characterized by high volume, competitive pricing, and a constant demand for miniaturization and improved precision. Understanding the specific material (e.g., metal film, thick film) and tolerance is crucial for accurate sourcing and application.
- Covers
- Metal film resistors
- Thick film chip resistors
- Thin film resistors
- Wirewound fixed resistors (low power)
- Surface mount resistors (SMD)
- Carbon film resistors (if not excluded by specific type)
- Precision fixed resistors
- Examples
- Vishay Dale RN series
- Yageo RC series
- Panasonic ERJ series
- KOA Speer RN73 series
Codes often confused with 8533.21
Common mistake. This code can be confused with 853329 for fixed resistors exceeding 20W, or with 853331 if the resistor is variable and wirewound but mistakenly identified as fixed.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 853321, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 853321 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 17% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 19% 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 $1.2B 17% of world exports
- 2 Hong Kong $1.1B 15% of world exports
- 3 Germany $912M 13% of world exports
World total: $7.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $1.2B 19% of world imports
- 2 Germany $664M 10% of world imports
- 3 Hong Kong $657M 10.0% of world imports
World total: $6.6B 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 8533.21 3
Brazil splits HS 8533.21 into 3 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 8533.21.10 Fixed wirewound resistors, up to 20 WDe fio
- 8533.21.20 SMD fixed resistors, up to 20 WPróprias para montagem em superfície (SMD - Surface Mounted Device)
- 8533.21.90 Other fixed resistors, up to 20 WOutras
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 85.33 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 8533.21
What is HS code 853321?
HS code 853321 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Electrical resistors; fixed, for a power handling capacity not exceeding 20W (including rheostats and potentiometers but excluding heating resistors and carbon resistors). This HS code covers fixed electrical resistors designed for low-power applications, specifically those with a power handling capacity not exceeding 20 watts. These components are ubiquitous in modern electronics, serving critical functions like current limiting, voltage division, and signal conditioning in a vast array of devices. Key importers are electronics manufacturing services (EMS) providers, consumer electronics assemblers, and automotive electronics producers, particularly in regions with strong manufacturing bases. Exporters are typically specialized component manufacturers, often concentrated in East Asia. The trade in these resistors is characterized by high volume, competitive pricing, and a constant demand for miniaturization and improved precision. Understanding the specific material (e.g., metal film, thick film) and tolerance is crucial for accurate sourcing and application.
What products fall under HS code 853321?
Metal film resistors, thick film chip resistors, thin film resistors, wirewound fixed resistors (low power), surface mount resistors (SMD), carbon film resistors (if not excluded by specific type), precision fixed resistors
What are common misclassifications for HS code 853321?
This code can be confused with 853329 for fixed resistors exceeding 20W, or with 853331 if the resistor is variable and wirewound but mistakenly identified as fixed.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 853321?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 853321 in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.2B, 17% of world exports), Hong Kong ($1.1B) and Germany ($912M). World exports came to about $7.0B, 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 853321?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 853321 in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.2B, 19% of world imports), Germany ($664M) and Hong Kong ($657M). World imports 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.
How is HS code 853321 structured?
HS code 853321 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (85) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (33) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (21) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 853321?
Brazil splits HS code 853321 into 3 NCM codes: 8533.21.10 (Fixed wirewound resistors, up to 20 W), 8533.21.20 (SMD fixed resistors, up to 20 W), 8533.21.90 (Other fixed resistors, up to 20 W). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.