Unwrought Gold
CN β US| HS Code | Tariff Rate | Origin | Destination | Doc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7108121013 | 35.0% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 7108125010 | 39.1% | CN | US | Official Doc |
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π₯ Unwrought Gold (7108)
π HS Code Reference & Customs Clearance Guide | 2026 Latest Tariff Analysis | Professional Gold Import Strategy
π Part 1: Product Definition & Classification: What Exactly is "Unwrought Gold"?
Unwrought Gold refers to gold in its raw, semi-processed, or powder form, excluding coinage (monetary gold). In international trade, it is primarily categorized into two distinct types based on purity and physical shape:
-
Bullion and Dore:
- Bullion: Gold bars or ingots cast specifically for investment or central bank reserves.
- Dore: Impure gold bullion derived from mining, containing significant impurities (silver, base metals) but usually with high gold content.
- Key Characteristic: These forms are often standardized for weight and recognized as store of value.
-
Other Unwrought Forms:
- This includes gold in irregular shapes, flakes, or non-standard ingots that do not meet the strict definition of investment bullion, provided they have not been further manufactured into jewelry, electronics, or industrial components.
β οΈ Key Distinction Point:
- If the gold is minted into coins with legal tender status β It is Monetary Gold (excluded from this data).
- If the gold is alloyed to less than 99.95% purity β It may fall under different sub-headings (not covered in the provided data).
- The provided data strictly covers Nonmonetary Gold with β₯99.95% Purity.
π¦ Part 2: HS Code Classification Details (2026 Latest Tariff Authorityε―Ήη §)
| HS Code | Product Description | Purity Requirement | Physical Form | Tax Status (China/US Trade Context) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
7108.12.10.13 |
Bullion and Dore Bullion | β₯ 99.95% by weight | Standard Ingots/Bars | 0.0% |
7108.12.50.10 |
Other Unwrought Forms | β₯ 99.95% by weight | Non-Standard Shapes/Powder | 0.0% |
π Important Note:
- Both codes listed above are for Nonmonetary Gold (i.e., not official currency).
- The defining criterion for both codes is a minimum gold content of 99.95% by weight.
- If the purity is lower (e.g., 99.90%), it does not fall under these specific high-purity sub-headings in this dataset.
π° Part 3: 2026 Latest Tariff Rate Breakdown
β Applicable Scope: Based on the provided data for Unwrought Gold (Nonmonetary).
β Tariff Type: Ad Valorem (Percentage of value).
π― 1. 7108.12.10.13 ββ Bullion and Dore (High Purity)
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Basic Tariff | 0.0% |
| Additional/Retaliatory Tariff | 0.0% |
| Total Effective Tax Rate | 0.0% |
| Tax Calculation | CIF Value Γ 0% = $0 |
| Legal Basis | Harmonized System Chapter 71, Heading 7108, Subheading 12, Specific National Subdivision |
π Interpretation:
- There are no additional tariffs applied to this specific HS code in the provided dataset.
- This implies a duty-free entry for high-purity bullion/dore under this specific classification context.
- Note: Always verify if local import licenses or anti-money laundering (AML) declarations are required, even if tariffs are zero.
π― 2. 7108.12.50.10 ββ Other Unwrought Forms (High Purity)
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Basic Tariff | 0.0% |
| Additional/Retaliatory Tariff | 0.0% |
| Total Effective Tax Rate | 0.0% |
| Tax Calculation | CIF Value Γ 0% = $0 |
| Legal Basis | Harmonized System Chapter 71, Heading 7108, Subheading 12, Specific National Subdivision |
π Interpretation:
- Like Bullion, "Other Unwrought Forms" (e.g., gold powder, irregular nuggets) with β₯99.95% purity also enjoy a 0% total tax rate in this dataset.
- This encourages the importation of raw precious metals for refining or industrial use without tariff barriers.
π οΈ Part 4: Customs Clearance Practical Advice (Avoid Pitfalls)
β 1. Required Documentation Checklist (Mandatory)
| Document | Must Provide | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| β Certificate of Origin (CO) | βοΈ | Essential for proving source country; may affect trade agreements. |
| β Assay Report / Purity Certificate | βοΈ | Critical. Must explicitly state purity is β₯ 99.95% to qualify for these HS codes. |
| β Commercial Invoice | βοΈ | Clearly describe as "Unwrought Gold, 99.95%+ Purity, Nonmonetary." |
| β Bill of Lading / Air Waybill | βοΈ | Proof of shipment. |
| β Packing List | βοΈ | Detail weight, dimensions, and packaging (e.g., secure vault boxes). |
| β License for Precious Metals | βοΈ | Many countries require specific import licenses for gold imports. |
| β AML/KYC Declarations | βοΈ | Proof of source and buyer/seller legitimacy to prevent money laundering. |
β 2. Declaration Tips (Key Mnemonics)
π₯ "Purity Proof is King, Nonmonetary Label is Key, Form Details Must Be Clear!"
| Scenario | Correct Declaration | Incorrect Practice |
|---|---|---|
| High-Purity Bars | 7108.12.10.13 (Bullion) |
Mislabeling as "Gold Jewelry" β Higher Tax & Inspection |
| Gold Powder | 7108.12.50.10 (Other Unwrought) |
Mislabeling as "Chemical Material" β Wrong HS Code |
| Impure Gold (<99.95%) | Not covered in this data | Forcing 99.90% gold into these codes β Customs Rejection/Fines |
| Gold Coins (Legal Tender) | Monetary Gold (Different HS) | Labeling as "Unwrought" β Misclassification |
β 3. Special Handling Cases
| Situation | Handling Advice |
|---|---|
| Dore Gold (Impure but β₯99.95%) | Ensure the Assay Report confirms gold content by weight is β₯99.95%, even if other elements are present. |
| Gold Powder | Classify under 7108.12.50.10. Ensure safety data sheets (SDS) are provided for transport safety, though tax is 0%. |
| Transshipment | If transiting through a third country, ensure the Certificate of Origin remains valid and gold is not melted/processed in transit. |
| Value Fluctuation | Declare based on the transaction value at the time of import. Gold prices change daily; customs will use the invoice value. |
π Part 5: Global Market Comparison (2026 Context)
| Country/Region | Recommended HS Code | Tariff (Based on Provided Data) | Certification Requirements | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| πΊπΈ USA | 7108.12.10.13 / .50.10 |
0.0% | EPA, AML Declarations | Strict AML/KYC checks. No tariff on these specific codes. |
| π¨π³ China | 7108.12.10.13 / .50.10 |
0.0% | Customs License, Purity Cert | Duty-free for high-purity gold. |
| πͺπΊ EU | 7108.12 (General) |
Varies by Member State | VAT/GST applies | Basic tariff may be 0%, but VAT (19-27%) applies on import. |
| π¬π§ UK | 7108.12 |
Varies | Import VAT, AML | Post-Brexit rules apply. Check specific UK TARIC codes. |
| πΈπ¬ Singapore | 7108.12 |
0.0% | None (Free Trade Zone) | Major gold hub. Low barriers, high security. |
π Conclusion:
- Tariff-wise, the provided data shows 0% duty for high-purity unwrought gold.
- Non-Tariff Barriers (AML, KYC, Licensing) are the real challenges in gold trade.
- Always verify the purity certificate; a deviation from 99.95% can change the HS code and potentially incur tariffs.
π Part 6: Common Mistakes & Pitfalls (Lessons Learned)
β Mistake 1: Claiming 99.9% purity for a code requiring 99.95%
π Consequence: Customs reclassification, potential retroactive tariffs, and fines.
Fix: Ensure assay reports strictly meet the β₯99.95% threshold for these codes.
β Mistake 2: Importing Gold Coins as "Unwrought Gold"
π Consequence: Misclassification. Coins are often "Monetary" and may have different VAT/duty treatments.
Fix: Identify if the item is legal tender. If yes, it is not "Nonmonetary Unwrought Gold."
β Mistake 3: Ignoring AML (Anti-Money Laundering) Requirements
π Consequence: Shipment seizure, blacklisting of importer, criminal charges.
Fix: Conduct thorough due diligence on suppliers. Keep records of gold source.
β Mistake 4: Mislabeling "Dore" Gold as "Refined Gold"
π Consequence: Documentation mismatch with Assay Report.
Fix: Accurately describe the form (e.g., "Dore Bullion, 99.95% Au") on the invoice.
β Correct Declaration Example:
"Unwrought Gold Bullion, Nonmonetary, 99.95% Purity, Cast Ingot, Net Weight 1kg, Assay Report No. XYZ, Origin: Country A"
π― Part 7: Conclusion: Precision is Profit in Gold Trade
π― Remember the Golden Rules:
πΉ "Purity β₯ 99.95% is the Gatekeeper for 0% Tax."
πΉ "Nonmonetary means No Legal Tender β Check Your Coins!"
πΉ "Docs > Goods. Without Assay Reports, Even Gold is Just Metal."
π Pro Tip:
If you are importing large volumes, consider using a ** bonded warehouse** in a free trade zone (like Singapore or Dubai) to defer VAT/GST until the gold is sold locally.
π£ Immediate Action:
π Contact a Licensed Precious Metals Customs Broker
π Prepare Assay Reports & AML Documentation BEFORE Shipment
π Ensure Your HS Codes (7108.12.10.13or7108.12.50.10) Match Your Purity Exactly!
β¨ Professional Clearance Starts with Accurate Classification!
πΌ Gold is Wealth, but Compliance is the Key to Unlocking It!
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About HS Code Classification
The Harmonized System (HS) is an internationally standardized nomenclature developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO) to classify traded products. Over 200 countries use the HS system as the basis for customs tariffs, trade statistics, and import/export regulations.
Each HS code follows a hierarchical structure:
- Chapter (2 digits) β Broad category of goods (e.g., Chapter 84: Machinery and Mechanical Appliances)
- Heading (4 digits) β More specific grouping within the chapter
- Subheading (6 digits) β Internationally standardized breakdown, used by all WCO member countries
- National subdivisions (8-10 digits) β Country-specific extensions for further classification, such as US HTSUS 10-digit codes
Correct HS code classification is essential for smooth customs clearance, accurate duty payment, and compliance with trade regulations. Misclassification can lead to customs delays, overpayment of duties, or penalties.
When importing from CN to US, the applicable tariff rates may include:
- Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) rate β The standard duty rate applied to WTO members
- General rate β Applied to countries without trade agreements
- Trade remedy duties β Additional tariffs such as Section 301 (anti-dumping), Section 232 (national security), or countervailing duties
The information provided on this page is for reference purposes only. For official classification, please consult with your local customs authority or a licensed customs broker.