Artificial Jewellery

✨ Artificial Jewellery (Imitation Jewelry & Parts)

🌐 HS Code Reference & Customs Clearance Guide | 2026 Latest Tariff Analysis | Strategic Customs Strategy
📌 1. Product Definition & Classification: Do You Really Know "Artificial Jewellery"?

Artificial Jewellery (also known as Imitation Jewelry) refers to jewelry items made from non-precious base metals (e.g., brass, copper, zinc alloy), plastics, glass, or synthetic stones, often plated with gold, silver, or rhodium for aesthetic appeal. Unlike real jewelry made of solid precious metals or natural stones, imitation jewelry is valued for style rather than intrinsic material worth.

In international trade, it is primarily categorized under Chapter 71 (Natural or Cultured Pearls, Precious or Semi-Precious Stones, Precious Metals) but falls into specific subheadings depending on: - Material composition (base metal vs. metal-clad) - Value per piece/dozen - Specific item type (necklaces, general parts, etc.) - Presence of precious stones (even if synthetic)

⚠️ Critical Distinction:
- Real Precious Metal Jewelry → HS Code 7113.10–7113.90 (High Value)
- Base Metal Clad with Precious Metal → HS Code 7113.20 (Mid-Range)
- Imitation Jewelry (Base Metal, Plated or Not) → HS Code 7117.1x/7117.9x (Low/Mid Range)
- Jewelry with Stones (Synthetic/Natural) < $40/piece → HS Code 7116.20.05.00 (Low Value)
- Jewelry with Stones (Synthetic/Natural) > $40/piece → HS Code 7116.20.15.00 (Mid-High Value)

📦 2. HS Code Classification Details (2026 Latest Tariff Reference)

🔍 Key Reminders:
- Value Thresholds Matter: Stones under $40/piece go to 7116.20.05.00; above $40 go to 7116.20.15.00.
- Plating ≠ Precious Metal: Plated items (even gold-plated) are still "base metal" unless the plating is >0.05mm thick (then it may be "metal clad").
- Dozen vs. Piece: 7117.90.90.00 applies to items valued over 20 cents per dozen (i.e., >$0.166/piece). Below this, different rules apply.
- "Rope" Design: Specific necklace styles (e.g., rope chain) have dedicated codes like 7113.20.21.00.

💰 3. 2026 Latest Tariff Rate Breakdown (Including Base Tariff & Additional Duties)

✅ Applicable Country: United States (US)
✅ Origin: China (CN)
✅ Effective Date: 2025–2026 (Current 2026 Tariff Framework)

🎯 1. 7113.20.50.00 – Base Metal Clad with Precious Metal (Other)

📌 Explanation:
- This classification applies to gold-silver-plated base metal jewelry that is not a necklace or not a rope design.
- The 12.7% total tariff is a combination of standard USITC rate (5.2%) and Section 301 additional duty (7.5%).
- No de minimis exemption – even small shipments are taxed.

🎯 2. 7113.20.21.00 – Gold-Clad Rope Necklaces

📌 Special Note:
- Gold-clad rope necklaces are exempt from Section 301 additional duty under 2026 rules.
- This is a rare zero-duty classification for China-origin jewelry.
- Ensure the product explicitly meets the "rope" design criteria to qualify.

🎯 3. 7116.20.05.00 – Stone Jewelry ≤ $40/piece

📌 Key Insight:
- Jewelry with synthetic/natural stones under $40/piece enjoys low 3.3% tariff.
- No Section 301 additional duty applies.
- Ideal for affordable fashion jewelry lines.

🎯 4. 7116.20.15.00 – Stone Jewelry > $40/piece

📌 Critical Warning:
- Jewelry with stones over $40/piece incurs 14% total tariff.
- Section 301 additional duty (7.5%) applies.
- No de minimis exemption – even small shipments taxed.

🎯 5. 7117.19.90.00 – Imitation Jewelry (Base Metal, Plated/Unplated)

📌 Major Advantage:
- Most common imitation jewelry (e.g., costume necklaces, earrings, bracelets made of base metal) has 0% total tariff.
- Zero Section 301 duty – perfect for high-volume, low-cost lines.
- Eligible for de minimis exemption (if ≤ $800 per shipment).

🎯 6. 7117.90.90.00 – Imitation Jewelry > 20 cents/dozen (Other)

📌 High-Risk Classification:
- Applies to imitation jewelry valued over 20 cents per dozen (i.e., >$0.166/piece).
- 18.5% total tariff is the highest among imitation jewelry codes.
- No de minimis exemption – even small shipments taxed.
- Often used for mixed-material, high-volume, low-cost items (e.g., plastic beads with metal accents).

🛠️ 4. Customs Clearance Practical Tips (Avoid Pitfalls)

✅ 1. Document Checklist (Mandatory)

✅ 2. Declaration Strategy (Golden Rules)

🔥 "Value Matters, Material Matters, Design Matters!"

✅ 3. Special Cases Handling

🌍 5. Global Customs Clearance Comparison (2026)

📌 Conclusion:
- USA is the only market with Section 301 additional duties for most imitation jewelry codes.
- Low-value stone jewelry (≤$40) and base metal imitation jewelry have 0% tariff in US if correctly classified.
- High-value stone jewelry (> $40) and imitation jewelry > $0.16/piece face 14% or 18.5% tariffs.

📌 6. Common Mistakes & Pitfalls (Lessons Learned)

❌ Mistake 1: Declaring stone jewelry > $40/piece as ≤ $40
👉 Consequence: 3.3% → 14% → 10.7% extra tax per shipment!

❌ Mistake 2: Declaring imitation jewelry > $0.16/piece as "other"
👉 Consequence: 0% → 18.5% → Massive tax loss!

❌ Mistake 3: Mixing gold-clad rope necklaces with "other" base metal jewelry
👉 Consequence: 0% → 12.7% → Unnecessary 12.7% tax!

❌ Mistake 4: Ignoring de minimis thresholds
👉 Consequence: Even $801 shipments taxed → No exemption!

✅ Correct Practice:

"Costume Necklace, Brass, Gold Plated, 24K Plating, 0.05mm, 100 Pcs, $0.10 Each, Synthetic Stones"

🎯 7. Conclusion: Precise Classification, Smart Customs, Maximize Profit!

🎯 Remember the Motto:

🔹 "Value per piece, material, design – one wrong digit, 18.5% tax!"
🔹 "HS Code is life, 0% is gold, 18.5% is pain!"

📌 Pro Tip:

If your imitation jewelry is plated with precious metal and not a necklace, use 7117.19.90.00 for 0% tariff.
If it has stones, keep value under $40/piece for 3.3% tariff.
If it's > $0.16/piece, prepare for 18.5% tariff – avoid this if possible!

📣 Take Action Now:

📞 Contact professional customs broker + Provide product photos + Declare HS Code accurately
🚀 Let your artificial jewellery clear customs smoothly, save costs, and maximize profits!

✨ Professional Classification Starts with Precision!
💼 Your every cent counts – calculate it accurately!