8533.90 - Parts:

This HTS category, 8533.90, encompasses "Parts" of electrical resistors, rheostats, and potentiometers, excluding heating resistors. This is a residual category for components that are integral to the functioning of the broader electrical resistance devices classified under heading 8533, but which are not themselves complete resistors, rheostats, or potentiometers. Examples could include specialized terminals, mounting hardware, or internal conductive elements specifically designed for use within these devices.

It is crucial to distinguish this category from its sibling categories, which cover complete, functional resistors and variable devices. For instance, sibling categories like 8533.10.00 (Fixed carbon resistors) and other sections for wirewound and variable resistors describe the finished products. 8533.90, conversely, focuses solely on the constituent parts, meaning an item classified here would not be a standalone resistor but rather a component intended for assembly into one.

The subcategories under 8533.90 further refine the classification of these parts. 8533.90.40.00 specifically addresses parts made of ceramic or metallic materials that exhibit electrical or mechanical responsiveness to temperature changes, suggesting their use in thermistors or other temperature-sensitive resistor components. The residual category 8533.90.80.00 covers all other parts not falling into the more specific temperature-reactive classification, ensuring that all necessary components of electrical resistors, rheostats, and potentiometers are appropriately accounted for within the tariff schedule.