U.S. imports of Glass Beads, Imitation Pearls, and Imitation Gemstones (HS 701810) totaled $6.2M in August 2026, imported from 39 countries.
Importers of Glass Beads, Imitation Pearls, and Imitation Gemstones paid $1.2M in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 19.00% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Glass Beads, Imitation Pearls, and Imitation Gemstones imports of $6.2M in August 2026 ran 12% above the year-to-date monthly average of $5.5M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataSeed beads, rocailles, imitation pearls, and glass simulants for precious and semiprecious stones feed the fashion jewelry, textile embellishment, and craft industries under this heading. China dominates US supply, but Czech Republic and Austria — home to centuries-old glass bead and crystal traditions — remain significant sources for higher-end decorative and fashion applications. The US schedule distinguishes imitation pearls and pearl beads (7018101000), imitation precious and semiprecious stones excluding beads (7018102000), and general glass beads and smallwares (7018105000), so correct sub-classification depends on the article's form and the gemstone it simulates.
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519 import shipments a month
Imitation precious or semiprecious stones that are not in bead form — such as faceted glass rhinestones or cabochons — fall under 7018102000. Glass beads (including seed beads, bugle beads, and similar smallwares) are classified under 7018105000. Imitation pearls and pearl beads have their own dedicated line at 7018101000. The distinction turns on the article's shape, whether it has a drilled hole, and whether it mimics a specific gemstone.
Imitation jewelry is classified in Chapter 71 (heading 7117), not Chapter 70. Glass beads, stones, and smallwares that are loose or unassembled belong in heading 7018 even if their ultimate use is in jewelry making. Once these components are assembled into a finished jewelry article, the classification shifts. Importers of bulk loose rhinestones or beads should confirm they are not entering as finished imitation jewelry, which carries different duty treatment.
ImportsExports
Imports
$6.2MYoY · free account
Exports
$2.4MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $63.9M of Glass Beads, Imitation Pearls, and Imitation Gemstones and exported $19.7M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
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Subheading 1 of 3 in heading 7018
Subheading 701810 · $6.2M of $13.1M
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7018105000 | Glass Beads and Similar Glass Smallwares, NESOI | $4.7M | 18.04% | 99.31% | $844K |
| 7018102000 | Imit Precious or Semiprec Stones (Exc Beads), Glass | $1.3M | 20.97% | 95.93% | $279K |
| 7018101000 | Imitation Pearls A Pearl Beads, Glass, Nt Strg/Set | $111K | 36.29% | 98.05% | $40K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 7018100000 | Glss Beads Imit Prls Prc/Smprc St Etc; Art Nt Jwlry | $2.4M |
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
China and Austria together supply 67% of it. China pays 35.0% duty; Czech Republic 9.5%.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
1.4% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 19.00% of imports for consumption.