Jewelry Import Duties in Europe Explained

Jewelry Import Duties in Europe Explained

If you are a European retailer, boutique owner, or online seller sourcing fashion jewelry from Asia, the landed cost of your order is not just the factory price. Import VAT, customs duty, and carrier handling fees can add a significant percentage to every shipment — and those percentages depend on the material of the jewelry, the declared value, and the country of import. This guide breaks down how European import charges actually work for wholesale jewelry, with practical numbers you can use when planning orders from a factory like China Jewelry Factory in Meilong, Haifeng County, Guangdong.

How EU Customs Classifies Jewelry

Your duty rate is determined by the HS (Harmonized System) code your goods fall under. For fashion jewelry, the two codes that matter most are:

• HS 7117 — Imitation jewelry: Base metal jewelry not containing precious metals. This covers most titanium steel, 316L stainless steel, gold-plated brass, and alloy pieces. Typical EU duty rate: 4%.
• HS 7113 — Precious metal jewelry: Articles of precious metal, including sterling silver (925) and solid gold. Duty rates are generally 2.5% for silver jewelry and 2.5–4% depending on the specific subheading.

Pearl and cubic zirconia pieces are classified by their setting metal, not the stone, in most cases. Moissanite set in 925 silver follows the silver jewelry code; the same stone set in stainless steel follows HS 7117. This is why accurate product descriptions and consistent HS codes on every commercial invoice matter — misclassification is one of the most common causes of customs delays and unexpected charges.

VAT: The Bigger Number

Customs duty is usually the smaller cost. Import VAT is where most of the money goes, and it applies to the total customs value plus duty plus shipping.

VAT rates vary by destination country:

• Germany: 19% standard rate (7% reduced rate does not apply to jewelry)
• France: 20%
• Italy: 22%
• Spain: 21%
• Netherlands: 21%
• Belgium: 21%
• Poland: 23%
• Sweden: 25%

If you are VAT-registered in the EU, import VAT is generally recoverable as input tax on your return — but you still have to fund it at the border. For non-VAT-registered sellers and many small importers, it is a real cost.

Worked Example

Assume a shipment of 316L stainless steel necklaces from Meilong with a goods value of €2,000 and freight/insurance of €200:

• Customs value: €2,200
• Duty at 4% (HS 7117): €88
• VAT base: €2,288
• VAT at 20%: €457.60
• Total payable at import: €545.60

That is roughly 25% on top of the goods value. Build this into your retail pricing before you place the order, not after.

Thresholds and De Minimis Rules

The EU removed the €22 VAT exemption for low-value consignments in July 2021. Since then, VAT applies from the first euro on commercial goods entering the EU. There is no duty-free allowance for business imports.

What still exists is a duty relief threshold in some member states for consignments under €150, but this applies to duty only, not VAT, and enforcement varies. Do not structure a wholesale order around it — a 632-style catalog order will exceed it immediately.

For B2B wholesale shipments, assume full duty and full VAT on every consignment. If you use a marketplace or IOSS-registered intermediary, the VAT collection mechanism changes, but the liability does not disappear.

Practical Advice for European Buyers

• Ask for the HS code in writing. A factory that exports regularly will provide it. China Jewelry Factory ships titanium steel and 316L pieces under HS 7117 and sterling silver under HS 7113.
• Confirm material composition. Gold-plated stainless steel is still base metal for customs purposes. Gold-plated over sterling silver may be classified as precious metal. The plating thickness and base metal determine the code.
• Check compliance documentation early. REACH and California Prop 65 compliance files should be available before shipment, not after. Nickel-free and lead-free declarations for 316L and titanium steel pieces support both customs and retail compliance.
• Consolidate shipments. Freight and insurance are part of the VAT base. Consolidating multiple small orders into one shipment reduces per-unit freight and therefore per-unit VAT.
• Use a customs broker for first shipments. The fee is usually worth it for correct classification and faster clearance.
• Low MOQ helps you test. With a 5-piece minimum per style, you can place a small first order, verify landed cost, and scale before committing to a large container.

Why Factory-Direct Sourcing Changes the Math

Duty and VAT are calculated on the declared customs value. Buying factory-direct from Meilong — rather than through a trading company or domestic wholesaler — typically lowers that value, which lowers both duty and VAT proportionally. China Jewelry Factory offers 632 original styles across necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings, sets, pendants, anklets, and brooches, with IP/PVD vacuum plating and 48-hour salt-spray tarnish testing on titanium steel and 316L pieces. Sampling runs 7–10 days, OEM/ODM and private label carry no minimum brand order, and free shipping applies over USD 50.

For European importers, the key is to model the full landed cost — goods, freight, duty, VAT, and handling — before setting retail prices. Get your HS codes confirmed, keep compliance paperwork on file, and treat VAT as a cash-flow item even when it is recoverable.

To discuss a quote, HS codes, or compliance documents, contact China Jewelry Factory via WhatsApp at +63 9690523936 or email yuhua0095@gmail.com. Support is available in 9 languages.