Import duty on jewellery into the USA depends on the Harmonized Tariff Schedule code, the country of origin and any extra tariff measures in force on the date of entry. You find it by classifying the goods, looking up that code in the official schedule, and then checking whether any additional measures apply to Indian goods.
We give no duty rates here. US tariff measures on goods from India changed several times in 2025 and 2026, and a figure written today may be wrong next month.
How do you classify jewellery in the HTS?
Jewellery sits in heading 7117 for imitation jewellery, and heading 7113 for jewellery of precious metal. Within 7117, subheadings separate items of base metal, with or without plating, from items of other materials. The right subheading depends on what the piece is made of.
A piece that mixes materials follows the material that gives it its essential character, which is not always obvious. Ask a licensed customs broker to confirm. Our guide to the HS code for imitation jewellery explains the structure.
Valid classification is a legal responsibility of the importer, even when a broker files the entry. Keep a record of how the code was chosen: the product description, the materials, the photographs and the broker's confirmation. If customs questions the classification later, that record is your defence. If you are unsure between two subheadings, your broker can ask US Customs and Border Protection for a binding ruling on the product. That takes time, so do it before a large order, not after the container has sailed.
Where do you find the duty rate?
Use the official HTS search published by the US International Trade Commission. It lists the general duty rate for each code. Then ask your broker whether any additional tariffs or trade programme measures apply to goods from India on your entry date.
Do not rely on a rate from a supplier, a blog or an old invoice. Your broker, who files the entry, is the right person to confirm the final amount.
If your broker gives you a code, ask for the full ten-digit statistical number, not only the six-digit international heading. The extra digits are where US duty rates and reporting differ, and a wrong ten-digit code can mean a wrong rate even when the heading is right.
What other costs come with duty?
Duty is not the only cost on entry. The full landed cost includes these:
- Customs broker fees and any bond requirement.
- Merchandise processing and other government fees on the entry.
- Freight and insurance, depending on the trade term, as in FOB, CIF or DAP.
- Testing and compliance costs, especially for children's jewellery.
How does the declared value affect duty?
Duty is usually calculated on the customs value, which is based on the price actually paid. Declare it accurately on the commercial invoice. Undervaluation can lead to penalties and seizure. See how to value imitation jewellery on the commercial invoice.
For a comparison across regions, read import duty on Indian imitation jewellery in the US, UK and EU.
Next step
We can prepare the commercial invoice, packing list and product description that your US broker needs to classify correctly. Book a free sourcing review to start.