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HSChapter 71
U.S. exports of articles of natural or cultured pearls (HS 711610) totaled $5.6M in July 2026.
Importers of Articles of Natural or Cultured Pearls paid $322K in duties in July 2026 — an effective duty rate of 15% on $2.1M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Articles of Natural or Cultured Pearls imports of $2.5M in July 2026 ran 28% above the year-to-date monthly average of $1.9M.
Last updated: July 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.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
170 shipments/mo
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.
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ImportsExports
Imports
$2.5MYoY · Pro
Exports
$5.6MYoY · Pro
12-mo low · imports
YoY · ProThrough July 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % | Dutiable Share | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7116102500 | Articles of Cultured Pearls | $2.2M | 12.84% | 82.56% | $278K |
| 7116101000 | Articles of Natural Pearls | $314K | 13.88% | 96.87% | $44K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 7116102500 | Articles of Cultured Pearls | $3.5M |
| 7116101000 | Articles of Natural Pearls | $2.1M |
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.
Exports · July 2026
destination
Hong Kong and United Kingdom together take 95% of it.
customs district
origin
entry
rate provision · imports
15.7% enters free of duty; the effective duty rate is 12.97%.