Colloidal precious metals — HTS 2843
Colloidal precious metals; inorganic or organic compounds of precious metals, whether or not chemically defined; amalgams of precious metals
Chapter 28 › Heading 2843
2026 HTS Rev 19 Synced Rules verified Operational
Written to help non-specialists understand this page. Rates, dates, and legal facts come from the official records above and on the linked source.
HTS heading 2843 is a broad product category for certain precious-metal substances used as materials or chemical products. It covers colloidal precious metals, inorganic or organic compounds of precious metals whether or not their chemical formulas are specifically defined, and amalgams of precious metals. The precious metal may be present as gold, silver, platinum-group metal, or another metal covered by the heading, depending on the tariff structure and product description.
To narrow the heading to an 8-digit HTSUS code, first identify the product’s chemical and physical nature, then determine which precious metal is involved. The relevant subheading may distinguish the metal, compound or preparation type, colloidal form, or amalgam status. Review the complete product description, including whether the item is a chemically defined compound, a colloidal dispersion, or an amalgam, rather than classifying it only by its commercial name.
What to check
- Obtain the product’s technical data sheet, safety data sheet, certificate of analysis, and chemical formula or composition.
- Confirm which precious metal is present and whether it is the primary substance, a compound, a colloidal dispersion, or an amalgam.
- Check whether the product is chemically defined and whether its physical form matches the wording of the applicable subheading.
- Read the full HTSUS heading, subheadings, section and chapter notes, and any relevant explanatory guidance before choosing the 8-digit code.
- If the composition or intended classification is unclear, ask a licensed customs broker or request a formal classification ruling from CBP.
HTS heading 2843 summary
Colloidal precious metals is a 4-digit product category containing 3 published product-code lines in this snapshot. A heading does not carry one universal duty rate; classification must be narrowed to the line matching the product facts.
How to find your code in this category
A heading is a product category. To get the exact duty, narrow from this 4-digit heading to a sub-category (usually by material), then open the 8-digit code that matches your product.
Open any code in the tables below to see its exact duty rate, a duty calculator (enter your shipment value → estimated duty and landed cost), the rate-change history chart, and the country-by-country breakdown (including Section 301/232 add-on duties).
Why you have to click in: a single category can contain products with very different duties. The rate depends on the specific product — its material and construction — and on the country of origin, and those only get pinned down at the 8-digit code level. That is why this page points you to codes instead of showing one rate for the whole category.
Product codes & duty rates
👇 Each row is a specific product code — click a blue code to open its full page with exact duty rates by country, the rate-history chart, and a duty calculator. 👉
| Code | Description | General (MFN) | Special | Column 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2843.10.00.00 👉 | Colloidal precious metals | 5.5% | Free | 65% |
| 2843.30.00.00 👉 | Gold compounds | 5% | Free | 25% |
| 2843.90.00.00 👉 | Other compounds; amalgams | 3.7% | Free | 25% |
"Special" shows the free-trade-agreement rate; open a code to see exactly which countries qualify.
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 2843?
Colloidal precious metals; inorganic or organic compounds of precious metals, whether or not chemically defined; amalgams of precious metals. To classify a specific item you must pick the matching sub-category and 8-digit code above; the right choice usually depends on the material and construction of the product.
How do I choose the right code within this category?
Start from the sub-categories (typically divided by material—for example cotton versus man-made fibers), then open the active 8- or 10-digit code that matches the product. When unsure, a licensed customs broker or a CBP binding ruling can confirm the classification.
Reference information only, not customs, legal, or classification advice. Confirm the current code and rate against the official HTS before you import.