7106.91 - Unwrought:

This HTS category, 7106.91, specifically covers unwrought silver. Unwrought forms generally refer to materials in their primary, unworked state, prior to any significant shaping or processing. This includes forms such as ingots, bars, blocks, granules, and powders. The key characteristic is that the silver has not yet been manufactured into recognizable articles or semi-finished products like wire, sheets, or tubes.

Distinguishing this category from its sibling, 7106.92, is crucial. While 7106.91 encompasses silver in its most basic, raw form, 7106.92 deals with "semimanufactured" silver. Semimanufactured silver implies a degree of processing, where the metal has been shaped into intermediate forms suitable for further fabrication into finished goods. Therefore, the distinction lies in the stage of manufacturing; 7106.91 is before fabrication begins, whereas 7106.92 is a step in the manufacturing process.

Within the unwrought category (7106.91), further subdivisions exist to refine classification. The subcategory 7106.91.10 specifically addresses "Bullion and dore." Dore is a semi-refined form of gold and silver, typically produced at a mine site before being sent to a refinery. Bullion refers to refined gold or silver in bars or other physical forms, valued by weight and purity. The "Other" subcategory (7106.91.50.00) captures all other unwrought forms of silver not meeting the specific criteria of bullion and dore, ensuring comprehensive coverage of raw silver materials.