Precious Metal Waste & Scrap, N.E.S.

This heading covers scrap of metals clad with precious metals other than gold or platinum — meaning gold-clad and platinum-clad scrap are excluded and classified under their respective dedicated headings. Scrap where the cladding metal is silver, palladium, rhodium, or another precious metal falls here. Importers dealing in mixed lots should have the material assayed and reviewed by a customs broker to ensure the correct heading is applied, as the distinction affects both duty treatment and valuation methodology.

CBP can challenge the declared value of precious metal scrap by referencing LBMA or LPPM spot prices and the assay-certified metal content. Undervaluation — whether through understating metal content or using below-market price references — can result in penalty assessments, seizure, and potential fraud referrals. Importers should use contemporaneous assay certificates and market-price references that align with the transaction date when preparing entry documentation.