HS Code 8532Electrical capacitors; fixed, variable or adjustable (pre-set)

What HS code 8532 covers

A capacitor is a part that stores electric charge in a circuit. Heading 8532 groups these parts by how they are built and what they are used for. It sits in the electrical machinery chapter, inside Section XVI.

You may see the same number called HSN code 8532 or HTS code 8532. The names change by country, but the first six digits are shared. Countries add their own extra digits after that, so always check the national tariff line before you file.

HS 8532 codes by capacitor type

The main split is fixed or variable. Fixed capacitors are then split by the material between the plates, which is called the dielectric. Here is each code in plain words:

• 853210: power capacitors for 50/60 Hz circuits, above the kvar threshold in the code wording
• 853221: tantalum capacitors
• 853222: aluminium electrolytic capacitors
• 853223: ceramic dielectric capacitors, single layer
• 853224: multilayer ceramic capacitors
• 853225: capacitors with a paper or plastics dielectric
• 853229: other fixed capacitors not named elsewhere in the heading
• 853230: variable or adjustable (pre-set) capacitors
• 853290: parts of the capacitors in this heading

How to confirm the right hs code for capacitors

Work through these steps in order. Stop at the first one that fits your product.

Step 1: Is the capacitor variable or pre-set? If you can tune its value, use 853230. Step 2: Is it a power capacitor for 50/60 Hz circuits with a reactive power rating at or above the threshold in the code wording? If yes, use 853210. Step 3: Look at the dielectric. Ceramic goes to 853223 if it has one layer and 853224 if it has many layers. Paper or plastics goes to 853225. Step 4: If a fixed capacitor fits none of these, 853229 is the catch-all. Step 5: If you ship only pieces or components of a capacitor, not the finished item, look at 853290.

Read the exact wording of the code, not just the heading. If you are unsure, try the HS code classifier, then compare your answer with live shipment records for the same product.

Related headings in Chapter 85

Capacitors are often shipped next to other electronic parts. These nearby headings are easy to mix up with 8532:

• 8533: electrical resistors, including rheostats and potentiometers. They resist current instead of storing charge.
• 8541: semiconductor devices such as diodes and transistors.
• 8542: electronic integrated circuits.
• 8504: transformers, static converters and inductors.

HS 8532 import and export data: buyers and suppliers

EximDataX shows shipment-level import and export records from official customs sources. Coverage: 43 direct customs feeds plus 184 mirror-derived countries. Named buyers and named suppliers are available in 38 of the 43 direct markets.

Most markets refresh weekly and some refresh daily. You can search by HS code to see who imports and exports a product, and book a free demo.