Natural, cultured pearls; precious… (chapter 71): which countries import it
Chapter 71 covers natural and cultured pearls, precious and semi-precious stones, precious metals, and jewellery. Global imports topped USD 1.3 billion…
Published on 27 September 2026Updated on 27 September 2026
Chapter 71 covers natural and cultured pearls, precious and semi-precious stones, precious metals, and jewellery. Global imports topped USD 1.3 billion in 2025, led by Switzerland, the UK, and Hong Kong. Exporting requires verifying tariff codes by product type, checking certification requirements for your destination, and understanding origin rules for metal cladding.
Fact sheet
- Code
- 71
- Sector
- Fashion and Textiles
Main importing markets
USD · 2025| Country | Imports (USD) |
|---|---|
| Switzerland | 237,128,109,405 |
| United Kingdom | 180,661,915,503 |
| Hong Kong SAR China | 154,096,625,820 |
| United States | 151,836,882,837 |
| China | 118,884,512,573 |
| India | 93,961,452,353 |
| Germany | 33,573,272,694 |
| Singapore | 29,415,849,630 |
| Thailand | 28,363,757,112 |
| Türkiye | 28,110,541,146 |
| Canada | 26,007,650,532 |
| Italy | 23,032,975,375 |
| France | 17,452,174,746 |
| Australia | 16,566,047,138 |
| Japan | 16,128,178,977 |
Imports declared by each country from the world. Countries report with a delay: the period is the latest with consolidated data.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2025Verified on 27 September 2026
Headings in this chapter
- Pearls; natural or cultured, whether or not worked or graded but not strung, mounted or set; pearls, natural or cultured, temporarily strung for the convenience of transportHeading 7101
- Diamonds, whether or not worked, but not mounted or setHeading 7102
- Precious (excluding diamond) and semi-precious stone; worked, graded, not strung, mounted, set; ungraded precious (excluding diamond) and semi-precious stone, temporarily strung for convenience of transportHeading 7103
- Stones; synthetic or reconstructed precious or semi-precious, whether or not worked or graded but not strung, mounted or set; ungraded synthetic or reconstructed precious or semi-precious stones, temporarily strung for convenience of transportHeading 7104
- Dust and powder of natural or synthetic precious or semi-precious stoneHeading 7105
- Silver (including silver plated with gold or platinum); unwrought or in semi-manufactured forms, or in powder formHeading 7106
- Base metals clad with silver; not further worked than semi-manufacturedHeading 7107
- Gold (including gold plated with platinum) unwrought or in semi-manufactured forms, or in powder formHeading 7108
- Base metals or silver, clad with gold, not further worked than semi-manufacturedHeading 7109
- Platinum; unwrought or in semi-manufactured forms, or in powder formHeading 7110
- Base metals, silver or gold, clad with platinum; not further worked than semi-manufacturedHeading 7111
- Waste and scrap of precious metal or of metal clad with precious metal; other waste and scrap containing precious metal compounds, of a kind uses principally for the recovery of precious metal other than goods of heading 85.49Heading 7112
- Jewellery articles and parts thereof, of precious metal or of metal clad with precious metalHeading 7113
- Articles of goldsmiths' or silversmiths' wares and parts thereof, of precious metal or of metal clad with precious metalHeading 7114
- Articles of precious metal or of metal clad with precious metalHeading 7115
- Articles of natural or cultured pearls, precious or semi-precious stones (natural, synthetic or reconstructed)Heading 7116
- Imitation jewelleryHeading 7117
- CoinHeading 7118
Trade fairs in this sector
- LINEAPELLE
- MICAM Milano
- MOMAD, Salón Internacional de Moda, Calzado y Accesorios
- Pitti Immagine Uomo
- Première Vision Paris
- Techtextil
- Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris
What matters when exporting jewellery and precious metals
Chapter 71 is split into 18 headings, each with different rules. A pearl necklace, a gold ring, and a silver brooch belong to different headings and face different tariffs and requirements. Your first step is to identify the correct heading for your product.
The tariff you pay depends on three things: the specific heading, the subheading (which narrows it further), and the trade agreement between Spain and the importing country. Access2Markets, the EU's tariff tool, shows the rate for each product-country pair. Enter your HS code and destination: the rate appears with any conditions—quotas, certificates, or documentation needed.
Precious metals and stones move through tight supply chains with high value per unit. Many buyers require proof of origin, conflict-free sourcing for diamonds and gemstones, and traceability for recycled precious metals. Check what your buyer needs before shipping: a certificate of origin from the Spanish chamber of commerce is standard, but some markets demand more.
The UK, Switzerland, and Hong Kong together account for over half of global imports in this chapter. These are not end consumers but trading hubs and jewellery centres. If you sell to a distributor there, understand that the final destination may be elsewhere, which can affect documentation and insurance.
Jewellery duty rates vary widely. Imitation jewellery (heading 7117) often faces lower tariffs than precious metal jewellery, but tariffs alone do not determine your margin: shipping, insurance, and certification costs add up fast with high-value goods. Model your landed cost early.
Questions about exporting jewellery and precious metals
How do I find the right tariff code for my jewellery?
Identify which of the 18 headings in Chapter 71 matches your product. Heading 7113 is for jewellery articles of precious metal; heading 7117 is for imitation jewellery. Once you have the heading, use Access2Markets to enter the full HS code and your destination country. The tool shows the exact tariff rate, any quotas, and required documentation.
What certifications do jewellery exporters usually need?
It depends on your product type, destination, and buyer requirements. A certificate of origin from your Spanish chamber of commerce is standard. Diamonds may require a Kimberley Certificate (conflict-free). Recycled precious metals may need a recycling certificate. Ask your buyer what they require before you ship, and check the regulations of your destination country on Access2Markets.
Why do Switzerland and Hong Kong import so much jewellery?
They are global trading and manufacturing hubs, not final markets. Switzerland is home to major jewellery trading firms and refineries; Hong Kong is a centre for jewellery manufacturing and re-export to Asia. If you sell to a distributor in either country, your product may travel onward. This matters for documentation, insurance, and understanding your real end market.
Do I need different documents for precious metals than for gemstones?
Yes. Precious metals (headings 7106–7111) may require assay certificates to prove purity and weight. Gemstones (headings 7101–7104) may require gemmological certificates or origin statements, especially for diamonds. Jewellery articles (heading 7113) combine both. Ask your buyer and check the import regulations of your destination on the customs authority website.
Does metal cladding affect the tariff?
Yes. Chapter 71 includes headings for base metals clad with precious metals (headings 7107, 7109, 7111). These face different tariffs than solid precious metal articles. The tariff tool in Access2Markets distinguishes between them. If your product is clad, make sure your HS code reflects that.
Bring this analysis to your product
Create your free account: Exporta.ai reads your website, detects your HS code and tells you which markets to export to, with official data.