Precious metal ores and concentrates — HTS 2616
Precious metal ores and concentrates
Chapter 26 › Heading 2616
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 2616 is a four-digit product category for precious metal ores and concentrates. It generally covers mineral materials mined or processed to contain precious metals, such as ores or concentrates associated with gold, silver, platinum-group metals, or other precious metals. The heading is about the material’s nature and form—not simply whether a shipment has a high monetary value.
To reach the correct eight-digit HTSUS code, start with the product’s composition and condition, then follow the more specific subheading structure under heading 2616. The lower-level code commonly distinguishes the precious metal or group of metals involved and may reflect whether the goods are ore or concentrate. Confirm the complete legal description, unit of quantity, and any applicable statistical suffix in the current HTSUS before filing.
What to check
- Obtain a laboratory assay, mineral analysis, or supplier specification identifying the precious metal content and the material’s mineral form.
- Confirm whether the goods are unprocessed ore, a concentrate, or a different intermediate such as ash, residue, bullion, or a chemical compound; those forms may belong elsewhere.
- Read the heading and subheading notes, not just the product title, and compare the full descriptions at each level before selecting the eight-digit code.
- Check the current HTSUS structure and statistical suffix, along with any country-specific measures or filing requirements that apply to the shipment.
- Ask a customs broker or classification specialist to review unusual mixtures, multiple precious metals, low-content materials, or products that could fit another chapter.
HTS heading 2616 summary
Precious metal ores and concentrates is a 4-digit product category containing 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2616.10.00 👉 | Silver ores and concentrates | 0.8¢/kg on lead content | Free | 8.8¢/kg on copper content + 3.3¢/kg on lead content + 3.7¢/kg on zinc content |
| 2616.90.00 👉 | Other | 1.7¢/kg on lead content | Free | 8.8¢/kg on copper content + 3.3¢/kg on lead content + 3.7¢/kg on zinc content |
"Special" shows the free-trade-agreement rate; open a code to see exactly which countries qualify.
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 2616?
Precious metal ores and concentrates. 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.