Nonmonetary Gold — Unwrought, Semimanufactured, or Powder

Monetary gold is gold held or transferred between central banks and monetary authorities and moves outside standard merchandise entry procedures. Nonmonetary gold — destined for industrial, jewelry, or investment fabrication — requires a formal CBP entry. Importers should carry commercial invoices and, where applicable, refinery assay certificates confirming fineness and intended use to support the nonmonetary classification.

Both grain and powder fall within 97101 as unwrought or powder forms, but the physical presentation affects downstream HTS subheading selection. Assay certificates stating fineness (typically expressed as parts per thousand), weight, and form — along with the refinery or mint of origin — are the standard supporting documents. If the gold has been rolled, drawn, or otherwise worked beyond a semimanufactured state, it may fall outside this heading entirely.