HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 71.09 – Base metals or silver, clad with gold, not further worked than semi-manufactured
What HS 71.09 covers
Heading 7109 encompasses base metals or silver that have been clad with gold, provided they are not further worked than semi-manufactured. This classification is crucial for distinguishing intermediate materials from both raw precious metals and finished articles. In international trade, this heading specifically covers materials where a layer of gold is mechanically bonded (clad) to a core of base metal (like copper, nickel, steel, brass) or silver. The 'semi-manufactured' condition implies forms such as sheets, strips, wire, rods, tubes, or profiles that have not yet been crafted into identifiable finished products like jewelry or electrical contacts. The scope is narrow, focusing on the material's composition (gold-clad base metal/silver) and its stage of processing. This heading is distinct from unwrought gold (7108) and finished gold articles (7113). Proper classification under 7109 is vital for accurate customs duties, trade statistics, and compliance with rules of origin, especially given the high value of gold. Historically, cladding has been a method to achieve the aesthetic and functional properties of gold more cost-effectively, and this heading provides a specific category for these valuable composite materials within Section XIV, which covers pearls, precious metals, and articles thereof, ensuring clarity in the global supply chain for industries ranging from electronics to coinage and jewelry manufacturing.
- Covers
- Gold-clad copper wire
- Gold-clad sterling silver sheet
- Gold-clad brass strip
- Gold-clad nickel rod
- Gold-clad tungsten plate
- Gold-clad stainless steel tubing
- Gold-clad silver-palladium alloy foil
- Gold-clad bronze wire for electrical contacts
- Gold-clad pure silver blanks for coinage
- Gold-clad titanium sheets
- Gold-clad beryllium copper strips
- Gold-clad phosphor bronze wire
- Gold-clad nickel-silver sheets
- Gold-clad steel blanks for watch cases
- Gold-clad copper-nickel alloy sheets
- Gold-clad brass tubes for pen parts
- Gold-clad silver wire for jewelry components
- Gold-clad tantalum sheets
- Gold-clad palladium-silver alloy wire
- Gold-clad invar strips
- Gold-clad aluminum wire
- Gold-clad molybdenum sheets
- Gold-clad niobium strips
- Gold-clad zinc sheets
- Examples
A German electronics manufacturer imports gold-clad copper wire from China to produce specialized electrical contacts for high-end audio equipment, leveraging the conductivity of gold with the structural integrity of copper. An Indian jewelry component supplier exports gold-clad sterling silver sheets to Italy, where they are further processed into fashion jewelry bases, offering the appearance of solid gold at a reduced cost. A US mint imports gold-clad steel blanks from South Korea for the production of commemorative coins, utilizing the aesthetic appeal of gold on a more durable and economical core. A Mexican company imports gold-clad brass strips from Japan for manufacturing spectacle frames, combining the luxurious finish of gold with the workability of brass.
Subheadings under 71.09 1
Codes often confused with 71.09
Common mistake. A common misclassification error involves confusing 7109 with 7108 ('Gold; unwrought or in semi-manufactured forms, or in powder form'). The key distinction is that 7109 specifically covers *clad* materials, meaning a base metal or silver core with a gold layer, whereas 7108 is for pure gold. Another frequent mistake is classifying finished jewelry or articles under 7109; however, 7109 is strictly for *semi-manufactured* materials, not final products, which would typically fall under 7113 ('Jewellery articles and parts thereof'). Traders also sometimes confuse it with 7111, which covers base metals, silver or gold, clad with *platinum*, highlighting the importance of identifying the specific precious metal used for cladding.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 7109, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 7109 in UN Comtrade data was Mozambique, with 19% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Singapore, with 20% 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 Mozambique $20M 19% of world exports
- 2 United States $19M 18% of world exports
- 3 Malaysia $13M 12% of world exports
World total: $107M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Singapore $10M 20% of world imports
- 2 Romania $8.5M 17% of world imports
- 3 Vietnam* ~$5.7M 11% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $50M 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 71.09
What is HS code 7109?
HS code 7109 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Base metals or silver, clad with gold, not further worked than semi-manufactured. Heading 7109 encompasses base metals or silver that have been clad with gold, provided they are not further worked than semi-manufactured. This classification is crucial for distinguishing intermediate materials from both raw precious metals and finished articles. In international trade, this heading specifically covers materials where a layer of gold is mechanically bonded (clad) to a core of base metal (like copper, nickel, steel, brass) or silver. The 'semi-manufactured' condition implies forms such as sheets, strips, wire, rods, tubes, or profiles that have not yet been crafted into identifiable finished products like jewelry or electrical contacts. The scope is narrow, focusing on the material's composition (gold-clad base metal/silver) and its stage of processing. This heading is distinct from unwrought gold (7108) and finished gold articles (7113). Proper classification under 7109 is vital for accurate customs duties, trade statistics, and compliance with rules of origin, especially given the high value of gold. Historically, cladding has been a method to achieve the aesthetic and functional properties of gold more cost-effectively, and this heading provides a specific category for these valuable composite materials within Section XIV, which covers pearls, precious metals, and articles thereof, ensuring clarity in the global supply chain for industries ranging from electronics to coinage and jewelry manufacturing.
What products fall under HS code 7109?
Gold-clad copper wire, Gold-clad sterling silver sheet, Gold-clad brass strip, Gold-clad nickel rod, Gold-clad tungsten plate, Gold-clad stainless steel tubing, Gold-clad silver-palladium alloy foil, Gold-clad bronze wire for electrical contacts, Gold-clad pure silver blanks for coinage, Gold-clad titanium sheets, Gold-clad beryllium copper strips, Gold-clad phosphor bronze wire, Gold-clad nickel-silver sheets, Gold-clad steel blanks for watch cases, Gold-clad copper-nickel alloy sheets, Gold-clad brass tubes for pen parts, Gold-clad silver wire for jewelry components, Gold-clad tantalum sheets, Gold-clad palladium-silver alloy wire, Gold-clad invar strips, Gold-clad aluminum wire, Gold-clad molybdenum sheets, Gold-clad niobium strips, Gold-clad zinc sheets
What are common misclassifications for HS code 7109?
A common misclassification error involves confusing 7109 with 7108 ('Gold; unwrought or in semi-manufactured forms, or in powder form'). The key distinction is that 7109 specifically covers *clad* materials, meaning a base metal or silver core with a gold layer, whereas 7108 is for pure gold. Another frequent mistake is classifying finished jewelry or articles under 7109; however, 7109 is strictly for *semi-manufactured* materials, not final products, which would typically fall under 7113 ('Jewellery articles and parts thereof'). Traders also sometimes confuse it with 7111, which covers base metals, silver or gold, clad with *platinum*, highlighting the importance of identifying the specific precious metal used for cladding.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 7109?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 7109 in UN Comtrade data were Mozambique ($20M, 19% of world exports), the United States ($19M) and Malaysia ($13M). World exports came to about $107M, 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 7109?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 7109 in UN Comtrade data were Singapore ($10M, 20% of world imports), Romania ($8.5M) and Vietnam (about $5.7M). World imports came to about $50M, 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 7109 structured?
HS code 7109 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 71 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (71) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (09) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.