HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 7112.91 – Waste and scrap of precious metals; of gold, including metal clad with gold but excluding sweepings containing other precious metals
HS code 7112.91 is the 6-digit subheading for waste and scrap of precious metals, of gold, including metal clad with gold but excluding sweepings containing other precious metals. It is used for gold jewelry scrap, dental gold fillings, gold-plated connectors, gold wire scrap and gold leaf waste.
What HS 7112.91 covers
This specific HS code covers waste and scrap composed solely of gold, including gold-clad metals, but explicitly excludes sweepings that might contain other precious metals. This category represents a highly valuable segment of the precious metals recycling industry, driven by the intrinsic worth of gold. Importers and exporters typically include gold refiners, jewelers, dental laboratories, and electronics manufacturers seeking to recover gold from discarded items. The trade involves meticulous collection, sorting, and refining processes to extract pure gold, contributing significantly to the global gold supply without new mining. Understanding the purity and form of the gold scrap is paramount for accurate valuation and trade, with a strong emphasis on secure logistics due to its high value.
- Covers
- Gold jewelry scrap
- Dental gold fillings
- Gold-plated connectors
- Gold wire scrap
- Gold leaf waste
- Gold bullion scrap
- Electronic circuit board gold scrap
- Gold watch cases scrap
- Examples
- Valcambi (refining)
- Argor-Heraeus (refining)
- old gold jewelry
- discarded computer components
- dental crowns
Codes often confused with 7112.91
Common mistake. Often confused with 711230 if the waste contains other precious metals or is in ash form, or with 711299 if it's not exclusively gold scrap.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 711291, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 711291 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 22% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Switzerland, with 29% 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 $2.9B 22% of world exports
- 2 United Kingdom $2.0B 15% of world exports
- 3 Singapore $1.1B 8.5% of world exports
World total: $13.1B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Switzerland $5.5B 29% of world imports
- 2 Hong Kong $3.3B 17% of world imports
- 3 Canada $2.3B 12% of world imports
World total: $19.3B 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.
Brazil NCM code for 7112.91
Brazil does not split HS 7112.91: its NCM code is 7112.91.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 71.12 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 7112.91
What is HS code 711291?
HS code 711291 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Waste and scrap of precious metals; of gold, including metal clad with gold but excluding sweepings containing other precious metals. This specific HS code covers waste and scrap composed solely of gold, including gold-clad metals, but explicitly excludes sweepings that might contain other precious metals. This category represents a highly valuable segment of the precious metals recycling industry, driven by the intrinsic worth of gold. Importers and exporters typically include gold refiners, jewelers, dental laboratories, and electronics manufacturers seeking to recover gold from discarded items. The trade involves meticulous collection, sorting, and refining processes to extract pure gold, contributing significantly to the global gold supply without new mining. Understanding the purity and form of the gold scrap is paramount for accurate valuation and trade, with a strong emphasis on secure logistics due to its high value.
What products fall under HS code 711291?
Gold jewelry scrap, dental gold fillings, gold-plated connectors, gold wire scrap, gold leaf waste, gold bullion scrap, electronic circuit board gold scrap, gold watch cases scrap
What are common misclassifications for HS code 711291?
Often confused with 711230 if the waste contains other precious metals or is in ash form, or with 711299 if it's not exclusively gold scrap.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 711291?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 711291 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($2.9B, 22% of world exports), the United Kingdom ($2.0B) and Singapore ($1.1B). World exports came to about $13.1B, 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 711291?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 711291 in UN Comtrade data were Switzerland ($5.5B, 29% of world imports), Hong Kong ($3.3B) and Canada ($2.3B). World imports came to about $19.3B, 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 711291 structured?
HS code 711291 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (71) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (12) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (91) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 711291?
In Brazil, HS code 711291 is NCM 7112.91.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.