U.S. imports of Articles of Natural or Cultured Pearls (HS 711610) totaled $2.2M in August 2026, imported from 25 countries.
Importers of Articles of Natural or Cultured Pearls paid $258K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 11.83% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Articles of Natural or Cultured Pearls imports of $2.2M in August 2026 ran 11% above the year-to-date monthly average of $2.0M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataJewelry and decorative articles fashioned from natural or cultured pearls — strands, brooches, earrings, and ornamental objects — split at the 10-digit level between natural pearls (7116101000) and cultured pearls (7116102500), a distinction with significant duty and valuation implications given the rarity premium on natural pearls. Japan and China together dominate US supply, reflecting Japan's historic role in Akoya cultured pearl production and China's emergence as the world's largest freshwater pearl cultivator. Importers should be prepared to document pearl origin and cultivation method, as natural versus cultured status is not always visually apparent and may require gemological certification. Classification here requires that the pearls have been worked into articles; loose pearls, whether drilled or undrilled, classify under heading 7101.
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136 import shipments a month
CBP may require a gemological laboratory certificate — from a recognized institution such as GIA or a comparable body — confirming that the pearls are natural rather than cultured. X-ray analysis is the standard method for distinguishing the two, as the nucleus structure differs. Without supporting documentation, CBP may reclassify natural pearl articles as cultured, which affects both duty rate and valuation.
Heading 7101 covers loose pearls, whether drilled or undrilled, while heading 7116 covers pearls that have been made into articles — including strung necklaces with clasps. A strand of pearls temporarily strung for transport without a clasp may still classify under 7101 rather than 7116; the presence of a finished clasp and retail-ready presentation is typically the dividing line. Misclassifying a finished necklace as loose pearls, or vice versa, can result in duty underpayment or overpayment.
ImportsExports
Imports
$2.2MYoY · free account
Exports
$691KYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $21.0M of Articles of Natural or Cultured Pearls and exported $17.4M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Trade Directory
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Subheading 2 of 2 in heading 7116
Subheading 711610 · $2.2M of $87.2M
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Imports for consumption | Average duty rate | Dutiable Share | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7116102500 | Articles of Cultured Pearls | $2.0M | 11.85% | 67.44% | $241K |
| 7116101000 | Articles of Natural Pearls | $150K | 11.50% | 79.38% | $17K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 7116101000 | Articles of Natural Pearls | $490K |
| 7116102500 | Articles of Cultured Pearls | $201K |
Import lines come from the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule and export lines from Schedule B. The two are numbered by different agencies, so the same 10-digit code can appear in both tables describing a different product.
Imports · August 2026
origin
Canada and China together supply 52% of it. China pays 23.7% duty; Canada 0.0%.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
31.7% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 11.83% of imports for consumption.