HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 8533.31 – Electrical resistors; wirewound variable, including rheostats and potentiometers, for a power handling capacity not exceeding 20W (excluding heating)

HS code 8533.31 is the 6-digit subheading for electrical resistors, wirewound variable, including rheostats and potentiometers, for a power handling capacity not exceeding 20W (excluding heating). It is used for rotary potentiometers (wirewound, low power), slide potentiometers (wirewound, low power), trim potentiometers (wirewound), multi-turn potentiometers (wirewound) and audio volume controls (wirewound).

What HS 8533.31 covers

This HS code covers wirewound variable electrical resistors, including rheostats and potentiometers, specifically designed for power handling capacities not exceeding 20 watts. These components are crucial for precise control and adjustment in a wide range of electronic circuits, from audio equipment volume controls to sensor calibration and small motor speed regulation. Importers are typically manufacturers of consumer electronics, test and measurement instruments, and specialized industrial control systems. Exporters are often precision component manufacturers with expertise in winding techniques and contact materials. Key trade considerations include linearity, rotational life, and stability, as these directly impact the performance and longevity of the end product.

Covers
  • Rotary potentiometers (wirewound, low power)
  • Slide potentiometers (wirewound, low power)
  • Trim potentiometers (wirewound)
  • Multi-turn potentiometers (wirewound)
  • Audio volume controls (wirewound)
  • Sensor adjustment potentiometers
Examples
  • Bourns 3362 series trimpots
  • ALPS RK27 series audio pots
  • Vishay Spectrol 132 series
  • Panasonic EVU series

Codes often confused with 8533.31

Common mistake. Can be mistaken for 853340 (other variable resistors) if not specifically wirewound, or 853321 (fixed resistors <20W) if its variable nature is overlooked.

8533.40Electrical resistors; variable, including rheostats and potentiometers (excluding heating)8533.21Electrical resistors; fixed, for a power handling capacity not exceeding 20W (including rheostats and potentiometers but excluding heating resistors and carbon resistors)

Top exporters and importers of HS code 853331, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 853331 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 24% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 13% 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. 1 United States $22M
  2. 2 Germany $13M
  3. 3 Mexico $13M

World total: $94M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $14M
  2. 2 China $12M
  3. 3 Germany $9.4M

World total: $109M 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 8533.31 2

Brazil splits HS 8533.31 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.

  1. 8533.31.10 Wirewound potentiometers, up to 20 WPotenciômetros
  2. 8533.31.90 Other wirewound variable 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 8533.31

What is HS code 853331?

HS code 853331 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Electrical resistors; wirewound variable, including rheostats and potentiometers, for a power handling capacity not exceeding 20W (excluding heating). This HS code covers wirewound variable electrical resistors, including rheostats and potentiometers, specifically designed for power handling capacities not exceeding 20 watts. These components are crucial for precise control and adjustment in a wide range of electronic circuits, from audio equipment volume controls to sensor calibration and small motor speed regulation. Importers are typically manufacturers of consumer electronics, test and measurement instruments, and specialized industrial control systems. Exporters are often precision component manufacturers with expertise in winding techniques and contact materials. Key trade considerations include linearity, rotational life, and stability, as these directly impact the performance and longevity of the end product.

What products fall under HS code 853331?

Rotary potentiometers (wirewound, low power), slide potentiometers (wirewound, low power), trim potentiometers (wirewound), multi-turn potentiometers (wirewound), audio volume controls (wirewound), sensor adjustment potentiometers

What are common misclassifications for HS code 853331?

Can be mistaken for 853340 (other variable resistors) if not specifically wirewound, or 853321 (fixed resistors <20W) if its variable nature is overlooked.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 853331?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 853331 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($22M, 24% of world exports), Germany ($13M) and Mexico ($13M). World exports came to about $94M, 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 853331?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 853331 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($14M, 13% of world imports), China ($12M) and Germany ($9.4M). World imports came to about $109M, 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 853331 structured?

HS code 853331 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 (31) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 853331?

Brazil splits HS code 853331 into 2 NCM codes: 8533.31.10 (Wirewound potentiometers, up to 20 W), 8533.31.90 (Other wirewound variable resistors, up to 20 W). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.