U.S. imports of Imitation Jewelry of Base Metal, Plated or Unplated (SITC 89721) totaled $47.5M in August 2026, imported from 84 countries.
Importers of Imitation Jewelry of Base Metal, Plated or Unplated paid $10.3M in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 22.28% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: August 2026 dataBase-metal costume jewelry — whether finished in gold, silver, or left unplated — is a high-volume import category subject to Section 301 tariffs on goods of Chinese origin, making supplier diversification a persistent strategic concern for US importers. The critical classification boundary separates this heading from real precious-metal jewelry: the substrate must be a base metal (such as brass, zinc alloy, or iron), and any precious-metal plating is incidental rather than the primary value driver. Nickel content and labeling requirements under the Federal Trade Commission's jewelry guides are additional compliance considerations for finished goods entering US retail channels.
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6.1K import shipments a month
The distinction turns on the essential character of the substrate: if the body of the piece is a base metal (brass, zinc alloy, copper, etc.), it falls here even if plated with gold or silver. If the piece is fabricated from precious metal — regardless of how thin — it classifies as fine jewelry. The value and weight of the base metal relative to any plating are key factors CBP considers.
Yes. The FTC's Guides for the Jewelry Industry govern precious-metal plating disclosures (e.g., 'gold-plated' vs. 'gold-filled'). Additionally, the Consumer Product Safety Commission monitors nickel release and lead content in jewelry, particularly items marketed to children, and non-compliant goods can be detained or recalled at the border.
Basic heading 160 of 419 in section 8
Basic heading 89721 · $47.5M of $46.9B
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Imports · August 2026
origin
China and Italy together supply 67% of it. China pays 30.3% duty; Italy 10.9%.
customs district
Census does not publish district detail for this classification system.
destination
Census does not publish state detail for this classification system.
entry
Census does not publish port detail for this classification system.
ImportsExports
Imports
$47.5MYoY · free account
Exports
$12.6MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $531.1M of Imitation Jewelry of Base Metal, Plated or Unplated.
Through August 2026 · exports 11 of 12 months reported. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.