Importing Jewelry to the USA: Duties and Rules

Importing Jewelry to the USA: Duties and Rules

If you are sourcing fashion jewelry from China for the US market, two compliance topics decide whether your shipment clears customs smoothly or sits in a warehouse accruing storage fees: HTS classification and duty rates, and California Proposition 65. This guide covers both from the perspective of a factory that ships to US buyers every week — including the exact documentation we prepare for customers at our Meilong, Haifeng County facility in Guangdong.

Start With the Right HTS Code

US Customs and Border Protection classifies every import under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS). Jewelry does not fall under one code — the material and construction determine the rate. The most common categories for fashion jewelry:

• 7117.19.90 — Imitation jewelry of base metal, not plated with precious metal. This is the most common code for titanium steel, 316L stainless steel, and zinc alloy fashion pieces. General duty rate: 11%.
• 7117.11.00 — Cufflinks and studs of base metal. Duty: 8%.
• 7117.90.90 — Imitation jewelry of materials other than base metal (plastic, glass, wood, ceramic). Duty: 7.5%.
• 7113.19.50 — Precious metal jewelry (sterling silver, gold). Duty varies; sterling silver articles typically fall here.
• 7116.20.05 — Articles of natural or cultured pearls. Duty: 5.5%.

Two practical notes. First, gold-plated base metal is still classified as base metal imitation jewelry under 7117.19 — the plating does not move it into Chapter 71 precious metal headings. Second, misclassification is the single most common cause of customs delays. If you are unsure, request a binding ruling from CBP before your first large order, or ask your supplier to state the HTS code on the commercial invoice.

What Duty Actually Costs You

Duty is calculated on the customs value — normally the FOB price you pay the factory, not the retail price. At an 11% rate on 7117.19.90, a USD 2,000 wholesale order carries roughly USD 220 in duty. On top of that, budget for:

• Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF): 0.3464% of value, minimum ~USD 32.71, maximum ~USD 634.62 per entry (2024 figures).
• Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF): 0.125% of value, only for ocean freight.
• Section 301 tariffs: Many Chinese-origin goods carry an additional 7.5%–25% depending on the subheading. Always check the current Section 301 list for your specific HTS code — this is separate from the base duty rate.

De minimis relief: shipments valued under USD 800 per importer per day are generally duty-free and enter without a formal entry. This is why many first-time buyers test a supplier with a small air shipment before committing to a full container.

California Prop 65: The Rule That Catches Jewelry Importers

Prop 65 requires a "clear and reasonable warning" before exposing California consumers to listed chemicals. For jewelry, the chemicals that matter are lead, cadmium, and nickel — all of which can appear in cheap alloys, solder, and platings. Enforcement is driven by private lawsuits, not just regulators, which is why even small e-commerce sellers get notices.

What this means practically:

• Ask your factory for material test reports on lead, cadmium, and nickel content. Reputable factories test each production batch.
• Confirm the supplier is REACH compliant — REACH restricts many of the same substances and is a strong proxy for Prop 65 readiness.
• If your product contains any listed chemical above the safe-harbor level, apply a Prop 65 warning label. For jewelry sold in California, a short-form warning on the packaging or tag is typical.
• Keep test reports on file for at least the length of the statute of limitations. If you are sued, documentation is your defense.

How We Handle This for US Buyers

At China Jewelry Factory, every titanium steel and 316L stainless steel piece is hypoallergenic, nickel-free, and lead-free, with IP/PVD vacuum plating that passes 48-hour salt-spray tarnish testing. We ship with REACH and California Prop 65 compliance documentation, and we state the correct HTS code on commercial invoices so your customs broker can clear entries without back-and-forth.

Our model is built for buyers testing the US market: MOQ 5 pieces per style across 632 original styles — necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings, sets, pendants, anklets, and brooches. OEM/ODM, private label, and custom logo carry no minimum brand order, and custom gift boxes are available. Sampling runs 7–10 days, and we support buyers in 9 languages.

Free shipping applies on orders over USD 50. To discuss HTS codes, compliance documents, or a sample order, contact us on WhatsApp at +63 9690523936 or email yuhua0095@gmail.com.

Quick Checklist Before You Import

• Confirm the HTS code and current Section 301 status for your specific product.
• Calculate landed cost: FOB + duty + MPF (+ HMF for ocean) + freight + broker fees.
• Request lead, cadmium, and nickel test reports from your factory.
• Verify REACH and Prop 65 documentation before the first shipment.
• Decide whether a Prop 65 warning label is required for your SKUs.
• Use a licensed customs broker for formal entries above USD 800.

Duty rates and trade measures change. Verify current figures with CBP or your broker before each season, and treat compliance documentation as a permanent part of your supplier qualification — not a one-time formality.