HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8533.39 – Electrical resistors; wirewound variable, including rheostats and potentiometers, for a power handling capacity exceeding 20W (excluding heating)
HS code 8533.39 is the 6-digit subheading for electrical resistors, wirewound variable, including rheostats and potentiometers, for a power handling capacity exceeding 20W (excluding heating). It is used for high-power rheostats, industrial potentiometers (wirewound), motor control potentiometers (high power), load bank potentiometers and power adjustment resistors (wirewound).
What HS 8533.39 covers
This category includes wirewound variable electrical resistors, such as rheostats and potentiometers, designed for high-power applications exceeding 20 watts. These robust components are essential for industrial control systems, power regulation in heavy machinery, high-power dimming circuits, and welding equipment, where precise adjustment under significant electrical loads is required. Importers are typically industrial equipment manufacturers, automation integrators, and power generation companies. Exporters are specialized suppliers of heavy-duty electrical components, focusing on durability, heat dissipation, and reliable performance in demanding environments. The trade emphasizes robust construction, high current ratings, and the ability to withstand harsh operating conditions, making quality and certification paramount.
- Covers
- High-power rheostats
- Industrial potentiometers (wirewound)
- Motor control potentiometers (high power)
- Load bank potentiometers
- Power adjustment resistors (wirewound)
- Heavy-duty variable resistors
- Examples
- Ohmite RLS series rheostats
- Vishay Sfernice P11 series
- TE Connectivity CGS series
- Bourns 3500 series
Codes often confused with 8533.39
Common mistake. Often confused with 853340 (other variable resistors) if not wirewound, or 853329 (fixed resistors >20W) if its variable function is not clear.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 853339, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 853339 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 17% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Thailand, 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 United States $10M 17% of world exports
- 2 Taiwan* ~$6.4M 10% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Germany $5.7M 9.3% of world exports
World total: $62M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Thailand $24M 19% of world imports
- 2 India $12M 9.3% of world imports
- 3 United States $11M 8.8% of world imports
World total: $127M 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 8533.39 2
Brazil splits HS 8533.39 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 8533.39.10 Wirewound potentiometers, over 20 WPotenciômetros
- 8533.39.90 Other wirewound variable resistors, over 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 8533.39
What is HS code 853339?
HS code 853339 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Electrical resistors; wirewound variable, including rheostats and potentiometers, for a power handling capacity exceeding 20W (excluding heating). This category includes wirewound variable electrical resistors, such as rheostats and potentiometers, designed for high-power applications exceeding 20 watts. These robust components are essential for industrial control systems, power regulation in heavy machinery, high-power dimming circuits, and welding equipment, where precise adjustment under significant electrical loads is required. Importers are typically industrial equipment manufacturers, automation integrators, and power generation companies. Exporters are specialized suppliers of heavy-duty electrical components, focusing on durability, heat dissipation, and reliable performance in demanding environments. The trade emphasizes robust construction, high current ratings, and the ability to withstand harsh operating conditions, making quality and certification paramount.
What products fall under HS code 853339?
High-power rheostats, industrial potentiometers (wirewound), motor control potentiometers (high power), load bank potentiometers, power adjustment resistors (wirewound), heavy-duty variable resistors
What are common misclassifications for HS code 853339?
Often confused with 853340 (other variable resistors) if not wirewound, or 853329 (fixed resistors >20W) if its variable function is not clear.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 853339?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 853339 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($10M, 17% of world exports), Taiwan (about $6.4M) and Germany ($5.7M). World exports came to about $62M, 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 853339?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 853339 in UN Comtrade data were Thailand ($24M, 19% of world imports), India ($12M) and the United States ($11M). World imports came to about $127M, 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 853339 structured?
HS code 853339 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 (39) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 853339?
Brazil splits HS code 853339 into 2 NCM codes: 8533.39.10 (Wirewound potentiometers, over 20 W), 8533.39.90 (Other wirewound variable resistors, over 20 W). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.