7109.00.00.00 - Base metals or silver, clad with gold, not further worked than semimanufactured

This HTS classification, 7109.00.00.00, pertains to semi-manufactured articles of base metals or silver that have been clad with gold. "Semi-manufactured" signifies that these items have undergone initial processing beyond raw materials but have not yet been fabricated into finished articles such as jewelry, tableware, or industrial components. Examples include gold-clad wire, sheet, or strips intended for further manufacturing. The key defining characteristic is the combination of a base metal or silver substrate with an outer layer of gold, where the gold is integral to the material composition and not merely a surface coating applied to a finished product.

As this is a leaf node within Chapter 71, it does not have direct subcategories for further division. However, it is crucial to distinguish this category from other precious metal and clad articles. Unlike finished articles of gold or gold alloys (which would fall under different headings), this category focuses on the intermediate stage of production. Furthermore, it differs from gold plating where a thin layer of gold is applied for decorative or protective purposes to an already formed article. Here, the gold is a more substantial cladding, often achieved through processes like rolling or welding, creating a composite material. It also excludes articles of precious metal other than gold cladding on base metals or silver, and those articles entirely of precious metal.