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HSChapter 71
U.S. imports of articles of natural or cultured pearls (HS 711610) totaled $1.7M in April 2026, traded with 18 countries.
Importers of Articles of Natural or Cultured Pearls paid $235K in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 16% on $1.4M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: April 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.
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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Monthly import values over time
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7116102500 | ARTICLES OF CULTURED PEARLS | $1.6M | 16.52% | $223K |
| 7116101000 | ARTICLES OF NATURAL PEARLS | $119K | 13.30% | $12K |
ARTICLES OF CULTURED PEARLS
ARTICLES OF NATURAL PEARLS
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 7116101000 | ARTICLES OF NATURAL PEARLS | $710K |
| 7116102500 | ARTICLES OF CULTURED PEARLS | $86K |
ARTICLES OF NATURAL PEARLS
336.2K gm
ARTICLES OF CULTURED PEARLS
63.2K gm
GOLD, NONMONETARY, UNWROUGHT NESOI
HS 710812
SILVER, UNWROUGHT NESOI
HS 710691
JEWELRY AND PARTS THEREOF, OF OTH PRECIOUS METAL
HS 711319
OTH PREC METL ARTCLS OR ARTCLS CLAD W PM, NESOI
HS 711590
RHODIUM, UNWROUGHT OR IN POWDER FORM
HS 711031
DIAMONDS, NONINDUSTRIAL, WORKED
HS 710239
| Port | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| JFK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, NY | $322K | $171K | -$151K |
| CLEVELAND, OH | $46K | $350K | +$304K |
| ANCHORAGE, AK | $253K | $8K | -$245K |