HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 28.43 – Colloidal precious metals; inorganic or organic compounds of precious metals, whether or not chemically defined; amalgams of precious metals
What HS 28.43 covers
Heading 2843 covers a highly specialized and valuable category within Section VI, focusing on colloidal precious metals, inorganic or organic compounds of precious metals (whether or not chemically defined), and amalgams of precious metals. This heading is crucial because it distinguishes these forms of precious metals from the raw, unworked precious metals (classified in Chapter 71) and articles made from them. The scope includes gold, silver, platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium, osmium, and ruthenium in their colloidal states (finely dispersed particles), as well as complex chemical compounds where these metals are integrated, and amalgams (alloys with mercury). Key sub-categories include silver nitrate used in photography and medicine, platinum compounds used as catalysts in various chemical processes, gold compounds for medical treatments or electronics, and various precious metal salts. This classification is vital for trade compliance due to the high value and strategic importance of these materials. Accurate classification prevents misdeclaration and ensures proper customs valuation, which can have significant duty and tax implications. Historically, precious metal compounds have been essential in technological advancements, from early photography to modern electronics and medical diagnostics. This heading's placement in Chapter 28 emphasizes their chemical nature and function as distinct from their metallurgical forms in Chapter 71.
- Covers
- Colloidal silver
- Colloidal gold
- Silver nitrate
- Silver chloride
- Gold chloride
- Gold potassium cyanide
- Platinum chloride
- Platinum oxide
- Palladium chloride
- Palladium acetate
- Rhodium chloride
- Iridium chloride
- Osmium tetroxide
- Ruthenium chloride
- Platinum-group metal catalysts (as compounds)
- Silver proteinate
- Gold compounds for anti-arthritic drugs
- Silver amalgams (for dentistry)
- Gold amalgams
- Platinum black (as a compound)
- Palladium black (as a compound)
- Chloroauric acid
- Hexachloroplatinic acid
- Ammonium hexachloroplatinate
- Examples
A pharmaceutical company in Switzerland exports a shipment of gold potassium cyanide, a key ingredient for electroplating in electronics manufacturing, to a specialized factory in Malaysia. This high-value compound travels via air cargo due to its importance. Separately, a chemical supplier in the United States ships palladium chloride, used as a catalyst in organic synthesis, to a research and development facility in Japan, often by sea freight in secure containers. Another common trade route involves the export of silver nitrate from Mexico, a major silver producer, to photographic film manufacturers in India and China, utilizing ocean freight for bulk quantities.
Subheadings under 28.43 5
Codes often confused with 28.43
Common mistake. A common misclassification error involves confusing products under 2843 with pure precious metals or articles of precious metals in Chapter 71. For example, pure gold bullion (7108) or platinum in unwrought forms (7110) are distinctly different from gold chloride or colloidal platinum. Another mistake is classifying articles coated or plated with precious metals (e.g., jewelry, electronic components) under 2843; these belong to their respective chapters based on the article's primary function and material composition, often in Chapter 71 if it's primarily a precious metal article, or other chapters if it's a base metal article merely plated. The key distinction is whether the product is a chemical compound/colloid/amalgam of the precious metal or the metal itself in a raw/semi-manufactured form, or a finished article.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 2843, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 2843 in UN Comtrade data was the United Arab Emirates, with about 24% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was India, with 48% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United Arab Emirates* ~$4.1B 24% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 Germany $3.3B 20% of world exports
- 3 Japan $2.1B 12% of world exports
World total: $16.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 India $6.6B 48% of world imports
- 2 United Arab Emirates* ~$986M 7.1% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 3 Germany $587M 4.2% of world imports
World total: $13.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
How these figures are built
109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).
Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.
Questions about HS 28.43
What is HS code 2843?
HS code 2843 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Colloidal precious metals; inorganic or organic compounds of precious metals, whether or not chemically defined; amalgams of precious metals. Heading 2843 covers a highly specialized and valuable category within Section VI, focusing on colloidal precious metals, inorganic or organic compounds of precious metals (whether or not chemically defined), and amalgams of precious metals. This heading is crucial because it distinguishes these forms of precious metals from the raw, unworked precious metals (classified in Chapter 71) and articles made from them. The scope includes gold, silver, platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium, osmium, and ruthenium in their colloidal states (finely dispersed particles), as well as complex chemical compounds where these metals are integrated, and amalgams (alloys with mercury). Key sub-categories include silver nitrate used in photography and medicine, platinum compounds used as catalysts in various chemical processes, gold compounds for medical treatments or electronics, and various precious metal salts. This classification is vital for trade compliance due to the high value and strategic importance of these materials. Accurate classification prevents misdeclaration and ensures proper customs valuation, which can have significant duty and tax implications. Historically, precious metal compounds have been essential in technological advancements, from early photography to modern electronics and medical diagnostics. This heading's placement in Chapter 28 emphasizes their chemical nature and function as distinct from their metallurgical forms in Chapter 71.
What products fall under HS code 2843?
Colloidal silver, Colloidal gold, Silver nitrate, Silver chloride, Gold chloride, Gold potassium cyanide, Platinum chloride, Platinum oxide, Palladium chloride, Palladium acetate, Rhodium chloride, Iridium chloride, Osmium tetroxide, Ruthenium chloride, Platinum-group metal catalysts (as compounds), Silver proteinate, Gold compounds for anti-arthritic drugs, Silver amalgams (for dentistry), Gold amalgams, Platinum black (as a compound), Palladium black (as a compound), Chloroauric acid, Hexachloroplatinic acid, Ammonium hexachloroplatinate
What are common misclassifications for HS code 2843?
A common misclassification error involves confusing products under 2843 with pure precious metals or articles of precious metals in Chapter 71. For example, pure gold bullion (7108) or platinum in unwrought forms (7110) are distinctly different from gold chloride or colloidal platinum. Another mistake is classifying articles coated or plated with precious metals (e.g., jewelry, electronic components) under 2843; these belong to their respective chapters based on the article's primary function and material composition, often in Chapter 71 if it's primarily a precious metal article, or other chapters if it's a base metal article merely plated. The key distinction is whether the product is a chemical compound/colloid/amalgam of the precious metal or the metal itself in a raw/semi-manufactured form, or a finished article.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 2843?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 2843 in UN Comtrade data were the United Arab Emirates (about $4.1B, 24% of world exports), Germany ($3.3B) and Japan ($2.1B). World exports came to about $16.7B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 2843?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 2843 in UN Comtrade data were India ($6.6B, 48% of world imports), the United Arab Emirates (about $986M) and Germany ($587M). World imports came to about $13.9B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
How is HS code 2843 structured?
HS code 2843 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 28 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (28) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (43) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.