Scrap platinum jewelry and dental alloys

🏷️ Scrap Platinum Jewelry & Dental Alloys

🌐 HS Code Classification & Customs Clearance Guide | 2026 Updated Tariff Analysis | Expert Compliance Strategy
📌 One-Stop Reference for Precious Metal Scrap Exporters & Importers

📦 一、Product Definition & Classification: What Exactly Is “Scrap Platinum Jewelry” and “Dental Alloys”?

In international trade, scrap platinum jewelry refers to used, broken, or non-functional jewelry items made from platinum or platinum alloys, typically collected for refining and recovery of precious metal content.

Dental alloys refer to metallic materials used in dentistry, such as platinum-based alloys used in artificial teeth, crowns, bridges, and dental prosthetics. These are often discarded after use or during manufacturing, forming a valuable stream of industrial scrap.

⚠️ Key Distinction:
- Platinum jewelry scrap → Contains pure or alloyed platinum, not yet refined.
- Dental alloys scrap → Contains metallic alloys used in medical devices, often including platinum, palladium, gold, or silver.

🔍 Critical Insight:
Both fall under non-finished, unrefined, semi-manufactured forms — meaning they are not ready for final use and are destined for reprocessing or smelting.

🧩 二、HS Code Classification Breakdown (2026 Official Tariff Table)

✅ Important Note:
- 7110.19.00.00 & 7110.11.00.50 are platinum-specific, used when the scrap is not yet refined and is in semi-finished or alloy form. - 7113.19.50.25 applies only if the item is clearly jewelry (e.g., broken rings, earrings, pendants). - 9021.21.80.00 & 9021.29.80.00 apply only if the scrap is dental-related and used in artificial teeth or dental parts.

💰 三、2026 Tariff Breakdown: Detailed Tax Clause Analysis (US Focus)

✅ Applicable Country: United States (US)
✅ Origin: China (CN), Vietnam (VN), India (IN), or other non-FTA countries
✅ Effective Date: November 10, 2025 (with retroactive application)

🎯 1. 7110.19.00.00 — Platinum (Alloy, Semi-Manufactured)

📌 Legal Pathway:
IEEPA:9903.01.24 → USITC:9903.88.01 → HS:7110.19.00.00

🔍 Why This Applies:
- Scrap platinum is not refined → falls under semi-manufactured. - Contains platinum alloy → not pure metal → not eligible for lower rates.

🎯 2. 7110.11.00.50 — Platinum (Unworked or Semi-Manufactured)

📌 Why This Applies:
- “Alloy” = unworked or semi-manufactured → fits this subheading. - “Platinum” explicitly stated in product name → clear match.

✅ Key Tip:
Use this code if the scrap is not yet shaped into jewelry, e.g., bars, wires, ingots, or chunks.

🎯 3. 7113.19.50.25 — Platinum Jewelry (Jewelry Form)

📌 Legal Pathway:
IEEPA:9903.01.24 → USITC:9903.88.01 → HS:7113.19.50.25

🔍 Why This Applies:
- The item is clearly jewelry (e.g., broken necklace, ring, earring). - Contains platinum and meets ISO standard platinum (95%+ purity). - Not refined, but in jewelry form → eligible for lower tariff.

✅ Best Strategy:
If your scrap looks like jewelry, use 7113.19.50.25 — save 12% in taxes.

🎯 4. 9021.21.80.00 — Artificial Teeth & Parts (Metal Alloy)

📌 Why This Applies:
- “Dental alloy” = metal used in artificial teeth. - Even if the scrap contains platinum, it’s not classified as platinum scrap — it’s medical device scrap. - No Section 301 tariff — exemption granted.

✅ Golden Rule:
If the scrap is from dental prosthetics, use 9021.21.80.00 or 9021.29.80.00 — only 10% total tax.

🎯 5. 9021.29.80.00 — Other Artificial Teeth & Accessories (Metal Alloy)

📌 Use Case:
- Dental brackets, wires, crowns, or non-structural parts. - Not explicitly “artificial teeth”, but used in dentistry.

✅ Pro Tip:
Use this code for non-tooth parts — still only 10% total tax.

🛠️ 四、Customs Clearance Best Practices (Pro Tips to Avoid Penalties)

✅ 1. Required Documentation (Must-Have Checklist)

✅ 2.申报技巧（Key Rules to Remember）

🔥 “Form, Name, and Origin Decide the Tax!”

📌 Golden Rule:
Do not lump all scrap together — classify by form and use.

✅ 3. Special Cases & Mitigation Strategies

🌍 五、Global Market Comparison (2026)

📌 Takeaway:
- USA is the highest-risk market due to 301 + IEEPA. - China, EU, Australia, Japan are much more favorable.

📌 六、Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them (Avoid Costly Penalties!)

❌ Mistake 1: Using 7110.19.00.00 for dental scrap
👉 Result: 35% tax instead of 10% → overpay by 25%

❌ Mistake 2: Using 7113.19.50.25 for dental crowns
👉 Result: 23% tax instead of 10% → overpay by 13%

❌ Mistake 3: Not splitting mixed scrap
👉 Result: One shipment with highest tax rate → penalties & delays

❌ Mistake 4: Using “platinum scrap” as description without form details
👉 Result: Customs cannot verify — delayed clearance or rejection

✅ Correct Approach:

“Scrap Platinum Jewelry – Broken Rings, 1.2 kg, 95% Platinum, ISO Standard, Origin: Vietnam”
→ Use 7113.19.50.25 → 23% tax

“Used Dental Alloys – Crowns & Bridges, 3.5 kg, Platinum-Based, Origin: India”
→ Use 9021.21.80.00 → 10% tax

🎯 七、Final Verdict: Smart Classification = Big Savings!

✅ Use 7113.19.50.25 if it’s jewelry → 23% tax
✅ Use 9021.21.80.00 or 9021.29.80.00 if it’s dental → 10% tax
✅ Avoid 7110.19.00.00 or 7110.11.00.50 unless no jewelry/dental form
✅ Split mixed scrap — never combine!

📣 Pro Tip:
Apply for a Pre-Ruling (Advance Ruling) from U.S. Customs before shipment — avoid disputes & delays.

🚀 Action Now: Optimize Your Export Strategy!

📞 Contact a certified customs broker with precious metal expertise
📂 Submit product photos, XRF reports, and origin documents
📊 Get a HS Code pre-approval — avoid 35% tax on dental scrap!

✨ Your Scrap. Your Tax. Your Profit.
💼 Precise Classification = Lower Cost, Faster Clearance, Higher Margin!

📌 Remember:
🔹 Jewelry → 23%
🔹 Dental → 10%
🔹 Platinum alloy (no form) → 35%
🔹 Never mix them!

📣 Ready to Export?

✅ Start with the right HS Code.
✅ Save thousands in taxes.
✅ Ship with confidence.

🔐 Your success starts with accurate classification.
📦 Don’t let the wrong code sink your profits!