U.S. imports of Non-Battery Wrist Watches with Precious Metal Cases (SITC 88532) totaled $32.4M in August 2026, imported from 31 countries.
Importers of Non-Battery Wrist Watches with Precious Metal Cases paid $3.5M in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 10.87% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Non-Battery Wrist Watches with Precious Metal Cases imports of $32.4M in August 2026 ran 68% below the year-to-date monthly average of $101.7M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataMechanical and automatic wrist watches — driven by mainspring rather than battery — with cases of precious metal or precious-metal-clad material represent the traditional fine-watchmaking segment, where Swiss-origin movements command significant brand premiums. The power-source distinction (non-battery) is the key split from the battery-powered heading, making movement type a critical classification question that importers must document with technical specifications. High declared values in this category routinely trigger CBP appraisement review, and accurate movement descriptions on commercial invoices are essential to avoid delays.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
2.0K import shipments a month
Importers should provide a commercial invoice specifying the movement type (mechanical/automatic, not battery), the case material composition (e.g., 18-karat gold or gold-clad), and the country of origin of both the movement and the case. A manufacturer's technical data sheet or movement certificate strengthens the classification claim and assists CBP appraisement.
CBP generally requires that the precious-metal layer be bonded or laminated to the base metal in a manner that constitutes cladding, not merely a superficial electroplate. Industry practice distinguishes gold-filled (mechanically bonded layer meeting a minimum thickness standard) from gold-plated; importers should confirm with a licensed customs broker whether the specific manufacturing process meets the cladding threshold for this heading.
Basic heading 183 of 419 in section 8
Basic heading 88532 · $32.4M of $46.9B
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Imports · August 2026
origin
Switzerland and Germany together supply 95% of it. China pays 18.2% duty; Germany 6.8%.
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
$32.4MYoY · free account
Exports
$29.4MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $1.1B of Non-Battery Wrist Watches with Precious Metal Cases.
Through August 2026 · exports 11 of 12 months reported. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.