HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 71.06 – Silver (including silver plated with gold or platinum); unwrought or in semi-manufactured forms, or in powder form
What HS 71.06 covers
HS Code 7106 covers silver in its most fundamental forms: unwrought, semi-manufactured, or in powder form. This expansive heading is crucial for international trade as it captures silver bullion, ingots, bars, grain, powder, wire, sheets, foil, tubes, and rods. A key inclusion is silver that has been plated with gold or platinum, provided it remains in these unwrought or semi-manufactured states. The scope of 7106 explicitly excludes silver that has been crafted into finished articles of jewelry (7113), goldsmiths' or silversmiths' wares (7114), or coins (7118). This classification is profoundly important for trade compliance due to silver's significant monetary value, industrial utility, and role as an investment commodity. Accurate classification ensures correct duty assessment, adherence to specific reporting requirements (e.g., for anti-money laundering or financial regulations), and proper statistical tracking of precious metal flows. Historically, silver has been a cornerstone of global commerce, currency, and craftsmanship, and this heading reflects its continued importance as a raw material. As a core component of Section XIV, which addresses precious metals and stones, 7106 serves as the gateway for silver entering the global supply chain, whether for electronics manufacturing, photographic chemicals, solar energy, coinage, or jewelry fabrication, before it is transformed into finished goods.
- Covers
- Silver bullion bars
- Silver ingots
- Silver grain
- Silver powder
- Silver wire (uninsulated)
- Silver sheet
- Silver foil
- Silver rods
- Silver tubes
- Silver anodes
- Silver solder (unprepared)
- Silver catalyst granules
- Silver contacts (unmounted, semi-manufactured)
- Silver strips
- Silver granules
- Silver plated with gold in sheet form
- Silver plated with platinum in wire form
- Colloidal silver (unprocessed)
- Silver sponge
- Silver dust
- Silver flakes
- Silver pellets
- Dental silver alloy (unwrought)
- Sterling silver bars
- Fine silver wire.
- Examples
A major refinery in Mexico exports large consignments of unwrought silver ingots to a precious metals trading house in the United States, which then distributes them for investment and industrial use. A German electronics manufacturer imports silver powder from Japan for integration into conductive pastes used in printed circuit boards and electrical contacts. An Italian jewelry maker sources silver wire and sheets from Turkey, utilizing these semi-manufactured forms to craft a wide range of jewelry pieces, from rings to necklaces. A Canadian mining company exports silver grain (a raw form of silver) to a refinery in Switzerland for further purification and subsequent distribution to European markets. A Chinese supplier exports silver-plated-with-gold sheets to a watch manufacturer in Hong Kong for the production of watch components before final assembly.
Subheadings under 71.06 3
Codes often confused with 71.06
Common mistake. Common misclassification mistakes include confusing 7106 with finished silver articles. If the silver is already crafted into jewelry or identifiable parts thereof, it falls under 7113 (Articles of jewelry). Similarly, if it's in the form of tableware or other decorative items, it belongs to 7114 (Articles of goldsmiths' or silversmiths' wares). Another frequent error is classifying silver coins under 7106; all forms of coins, whether legal tender or commemorative, are specifically classified under 7118. Finally, silver waste and scrap, even if pure, are classified under 7112. The key is to remember that 7106 is strictly for primary, unwrought, semi-manufactured, or powder forms, not finished goods or recycled materials.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 7106, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 7106 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 14% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United Kingdom, with 21% 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 States $8.1B 14% of world exports
- 2 United Kingdom $8.0B 14% of world exports
- 3 Hong Kong $6.5B 11% of world exports
World total: $58.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United Kingdom $11.6B 21% of world imports
- 2 India $9.2B 17% of world imports
- 3 United States $8.5B 15% of world imports
World total: $54.6B 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 that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. 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 71.06
What is HS code 7106?
HS code 7106 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Silver (including silver plated with gold or platinum); unwrought or in semi-manufactured forms, or in powder form. HS Code 7106 covers silver in its most fundamental forms: unwrought, semi-manufactured, or in powder form. This expansive heading is crucial for international trade as it captures silver bullion, ingots, bars, grain, powder, wire, sheets, foil, tubes, and rods. A key inclusion is silver that has been plated with gold or platinum, provided it remains in these unwrought or semi-manufactured states. The scope of 7106 explicitly excludes silver that has been crafted into finished articles of jewelry (7113), goldsmiths' or silversmiths' wares (7114), or coins (7118). This classification is profoundly important for trade compliance due to silver's significant monetary value, industrial utility, and role as an investment commodity. Accurate classification ensures correct duty assessment, adherence to specific reporting requirements (e.g., for anti-money laundering or financial regulations), and proper statistical tracking of precious metal flows. Historically, silver has been a cornerstone of global commerce, currency, and craftsmanship, and this heading reflects its continued importance as a raw material. As a core component of Section XIV, which addresses precious metals and stones, 7106 serves as the gateway for silver entering the global supply chain, whether for electronics manufacturing, photographic chemicals, solar energy, coinage, or jewelry fabrication, before it is transformed into finished goods.
What products fall under HS code 7106?
Silver bullion bars, silver ingots, silver grain, silver powder, silver wire (uninsulated), silver sheet, silver foil, silver rods, silver tubes, silver anodes, silver solder (unprepared), silver catalyst granules, silver contacts (unmounted, semi-manufactured), silver strips, silver granules, silver plated with gold in sheet form, silver plated with platinum in wire form, colloidal silver (unprocessed), silver sponge, silver dust, silver flakes, silver pellets, dental silver alloy (unwrought), sterling silver bars, fine silver wire.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 7106?
Common misclassification mistakes include confusing 7106 with finished silver articles. If the silver is already crafted into jewelry or identifiable parts thereof, it falls under 7113 (Articles of jewelry). Similarly, if it's in the form of tableware or other decorative items, it belongs to 7114 (Articles of goldsmiths' or silversmiths' wares). Another frequent error is classifying silver coins under 7106; all forms of coins, whether legal tender or commemorative, are specifically classified under 7118. Finally, silver waste and scrap, even if pure, are classified under 7112. The key is to remember that 7106 is strictly for primary, unwrought, semi-manufactured, or powder forms, not finished goods or recycled materials.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 7106?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 7106 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($8.1B, 14% of world exports), the United Kingdom ($8.0B) and Hong Kong ($6.5B). World exports came to about $58.0B, 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 7106?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 7106 in UN Comtrade data were the United Kingdom ($11.6B, 21% of world imports), India ($9.2B) and the United States ($8.5B). World imports came to about $54.6B, 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 7106 structured?
HS code 7106 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 71 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (71) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (06) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.