Sourcing thick-film chip resistors from China
Thick-film chip resistors from China carry 0% UK duty across the relevant fixed-resistor lines. Components sold business to business are outside the hazardous-substance regulations, but a final assembly placed on the market must comply, including its components. Cambridge China Bridge sources thick-film chip resistors.
Duty on thick-film chip resistors
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 8533 covers electrical resistors, including rheostats and potentiometers, but excludes heating resistors. Thick-film chip resistors are fixed resistors; select the line by power handling capacity.
Goods from China carry 0% duty under both 8533 21 00 00, for other fixed resistors not exceeding 20 W, and 8533 29 00 00, for higher power handling. The snapshot records no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls. The table separates buying variants sharing the same tariff line.
Confirm the commodity code against the manufacturer's datasheet and rated power. For another resistor family within the wider heading, see current-sense shunt resistors.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| General-purpose thick-film chip resistors, up to 20 W | 8533 21 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Thick-film chip resistors with power handling above 20 W | 8533 29 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the thick-film construction and operating conditions
State the manufacturer and full part number, resistance, tolerance, temperature coefficient, package dimensions, rated power and maximum working voltage. Specify thick-film construction explicitly. Give the operating temperature and board mounting conditions so the supplier can identify the applicable power derating.
For pulsed loads, agree the pulse waveform and repetition conditions against the manufacturer's data. Specify termination material, soldering conditions, tape orientation and reel labels. Ask for material declarations tied to the exact part number rather than a factory-wide statement.
Government guidance excludes component parts sold business to business from the hazardous-substance regulations, but requires a final assembly placed on the market to comply, including its components. Keep component material evidence for the finished-product assessment.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 2 million thick-film chip resistors 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
Resistance: sample each lot and compare measured resistance with the ordered tolerance; record the measurement conditions.
Construction: compare package dimensions, protective coating and terminations with the approved sample; check for cracks, chipped edges and exposed film.
Performance: check solderability and resistance stability after the agreed soldering and load tests; use the manufacturer's conditions when assessing results.
Traceability: match reel labels, part numbers, lot codes and material declarations to the purchase order; check tape orientation and damaged pockets. Use the inspection guide to organise the checks.
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What goes wrong
The same nominal resistance can conceal a different tolerance, temperature coefficient or pulse capability. A part may meet its resistance specification on arrival yet drift after soldering or loading. Reject substitutions until the datasheet and sample results have been reviewed.
Cracked bodies, damaged terminations and mixed reels can cause assembly faults or make failures difficult to trace. Buy through the manufacturer or an authorised distributor, retain an approved sample and keep incoming results linked to each lot.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on thick-film chip resistors from China?
The tariff snapshot records 0% under 8533 21 00 00 and 8533 29 00 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Which commodity code covers thick-film chip resistors?
Other fixed resistors not exceeding 20 W fall under 8533 21 00 00; higher-power fixed resistors fall under 8533 29 00 00. Confirm the rated power and construction from the datasheet.
Do business-to-business chip resistors fall within hazardous-substance regulations?
Government guidance excludes component parts sold business to business. A final assembly placed on the market must comply, including its components, so retain part-specific material evidence.
What should I check before accepting a resistor substitution?
Compare construction, package, resistance tolerance, temperature coefficient, derating, working voltage, pulse capability and termination material. Approve the replacement only after reviewing samples and supporting data.