Sourcing resistor network arrays from China

Duty and classification for resistor arrays

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 8533 covers electrical resistors, including rheostats and potentiometers, other than heating resistors. This guide concerns packaged fixed resistor networks. Arrays already mounted on a circuit board need assessment as assemblies, according to what they form part of.

Every line in the supplied heading carries 0% duty for goods from China. The snapshot lists no anti-dumping or countervailing measures, tariff suspensions or attached import controls. The table distinguishes fixed-resistor technologies and power categories; its parts line concerns separately supplied parts, rather than complete networks.

Confirm the commodity code using the construction, function and power-handling data, rather than the supplier's description alone. For the wider heading, see thick-film chip resistors. Budget separately for import VAT using the duty and VAT guide.

Specify the network circuit and resistance matching

Specify isolated resistors, a common-terminal network or a divider network, and attach the internal circuit diagram and pin assignment. State resistance values, absolute tolerance, ratio tolerance, temperature tracking, power per element, total package power and working voltage. Include package dimensions, terminal pitch, orientation, termination finish and packing format. Approve substitutions by full part number and datasheet.

For Great Britain, component parts sold between businesses are outside the RoHS Regulations' scope. When incorporated into finished equipment covered by those Regulations, the components must support the finished product's compliance. Request part-specific restricted-substance declarations and material evidence for the resistive film, terminations and encapsulant.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 10,000 precision resistor network arrays under 8533 21 00 00, invoiced at £9,000 free on board, with £300 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £9,300. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £9,300, so it is £1,860. With no duty, the only import tax is the VAT, which a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Circuit: check continuity against the approved diagram, including common terminals, isolated elements and orientation.

Resistance: measure individual elements and resistance ratios against the agreed tolerances; assess temperature tracking where it matters to the application.

Package: check dimensions, terminal alignment, cracks, termination finish and solderability against the approved sample and assembly process.

Traceability: match manufacturer labels, part numbers and lot codes to packing records and material declarations. Use the quality inspection guide to agree the inspection scope.

What goes wrong

A network can have the correct nominal resistance and package while using the wrong internal connections. A common-terminal version substituted for an isolated array can disrupt the circuit. Accepting individual resistance readings alone can also miss poor ratio matching or temperature tracking.

Package damage, bent terminals and unsuitable termination finishes can cause assembly failures. Agree the circuit diagram, electrical acceptance criteria and packing before ordering, then compare bulk samples with the approved part rather than relying on the reel label.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For components and parts, see sourcing for manufacturers.