HS Code for Jewelry: Procedure for Traders

Jewelry has become one of the important commodities or products in the world. In terms of fashion, jewelry has a function to elevate our looks by mixing and matching with the outfit. However, from time to time, the functions of jewelry evolve not only for fashion or accessories, but it is also considered a symbol of distinguished status and value in society, and it is usually used on special occasions. Therefore, the production and international trade of jewelry are rising. One of the important aspects of transnational trade is declaring the HS code for jewelry. This article will help you understand the HS code for jewelry, the major actors behind jewelry international trade, as well as find the accurate HS code for jewelry products. 

Understanding the structure of the HS code for jewelry products

HS code or Harmonized Standard (HS) code has become a requirement for transferring products or goods crossing the international border. The standard six-digit code developed by the World Customs Organization is required by the customs agencies all over the world in order to check the originality, determine the duties and taxes, as well as special treatment from the Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). 

HS code for jewelry is covered under Chapter 71. This HS code chapter encompasses the natural and cultural pearls, precious stones, precious metals, imitation jewelry, and coins. This chapter is followed by the two-digit heading behind it, and also shadowed by the subheadings. Therefore, the international standard of HS code for jewelry is six numbers based on the functions, and it can include additional numbers from 8 to 11 digits based on the policy in a specific country. For example, the HS code for jewelry, such as precious jewelry, is under 711319. Here is the breakdown of the HS code for jewelry under the code 711319:

• 71: Chapter HS code for Jewelry, Goldsmiths’ wares, Silversmiths’ wares, and others. 
• 13: Heading HS code for articles of jewelry, of precious metal or of metal clad with precious metal. 
• 19: Subheading HS code for other precious metal, whether or not plated or clad with precious metal.

The HS code for jewelry is broad, which includes many types of jewelry products based on their materials and functions. These are examples of six-digit codes under HS codes for jewelry: 

The top 5 largest exporters and importers of jewelry

After understanding the structure of the HS code for jewelry, you perhaps need to know the largest players in the jewelry business worldwide. For example, we can choose the code for precious jewelry under the HS code 711319. Here is the list of the largest exporting countries of precious jewelry products under the HS code 711319 from the UN Comtrade Database in 2024:

The table shows that Italy is the leader of the precious jewelry exporter in the world with a valuation of more than 14.8 billion USD. France and Switzerland are the second and third biggest exporters of precious jewelry under the HS code 711319. The fourth and fifth largest exporters are China and India. The data shows that the European countries are the biggest producers and exporters of precious jewelry products. 

When we already know the largest exporting countries of precious jewelry, we also need to know where these products are going to be marketed or the biggest importers of precious jewelry. Here is the list of the biggest importing countries of precious jewelry under HS code 711319 in 2024. 

From this data, Hong Kong plays a role as a leader in the importation of precious jewelry under the HS code 711319, with a valuation of more than 17.5 billion USD. The second place is filled by the United States, and the third position is held by Switzerland. The fourth and fifth biggest importers of precious jewelry are France and Turkiye. This data demonstrates that developed countries are the main destination of precious jewelry products due to their higher purchasing power than their developing counterparts. 

What are the challenges in finding the accurate HS code for jewelry?

While we know the common structure of the HS code for jewelry, we also find challenges in order to classifying the products into a full HS code. These are the challenges for categorizing the HS code for jewelry that you should understand to alleviate some confusion while finding the accurate HS code. 

• The complexity of the shape and design of the jewelry sometimes makes the classification process more complicated. Modern jewelry has a complex design, and some of it is made from a combination of two or more materials. 
• The jewelry industry is evolving, and the innovations are leading to more products from some distinguished or rare materials. This situation makes the classification process far more complicated than before. 
• The value of jewelry products can be one of the challenging processes. Jewelry has an artistic value and the degree of the process of making it; therefore, these products can sometimes be valued by the merit or the materials. 
• You should note that the HS code for jewelry from one country to another is different. It is differentiated by the terms and the interpretation of jewelry based on each policy in country. 

These challenges can be a hurdle in order to find the HS code for jewelry. Therefore, it should be noticed that the identification of the HS code needed an extra effort, and they must stay up to date with the latest HS code based on the recipient country’s policy. 

Finding the accurate HS code for jewelry with HS Code Match

We know that finding an HS code for jewelry is challenging due to the reasons above. However, finding the accurate HS code for jewelry is a requirement in order to comply with the international trade rules. It also allows you through the customs process easily and quickly obtain customs clearance. In order to avoid declaring the inaccurate HS code for jewelry, the HS Code Match offers the best tools to find the HS code or international trade regulations. This is the way to find the accurate HS code for jewelry under the HS code 711319 using HS Code Match: 

• First step: You can open HS Code Match by clicking hscodematch.com on your browser. Please fill in the blank with the origin country, the destination country and the product name. For example, we can use the two biggest exporting and importing countries, such as Italy and Hong Kong, China. 

• Second step: The HS Code Match will find the best preference based on the lowest tariff rates. However, you can find the relevant HS code that is closest to your products, including jewelry or other related goods. For example, we can choose the precious diamond jewelry under the HS code 71131991 from Italy to Hong Kong. 

• Third step: After selecting the HS code 71131991, we moved to the HS Code Details page. On HS Code Details, you can find the detailed description of this HS code for jewelry under code 71131991. You can also find that the import duty rate for exporting jewelry under this code is zero percent. 

• Fourth step: On the bottom part of the HS Code Details page, you can find the details of the regulations, including Partner Government Agencies (PGAs), Antidumping, FTA, and other things about international trade. If you find confusion, please use the AI Assistant to help you locate parts of the document that you might find difficult to understand. 

While using the AI Assistant, you can use the suggested questions to generate questions. This allows you to ask any related questions based on the HS code 71131991. Here are the examples of answers from the AI chatbot on the HS Code Match application: 

First question: What are the specific safety technical requirements covered in the National Standard of China for Jewelry? 

Answer: Technical requirements for safety include all types of jewelry in the National Standard of the PRC. The technical specifications include mechanical, physical, and chemical materials, as well as the labelling requirements. These requirements apply to all forms of jewelry under the HS codes 7113, 7114, 7115, 7116, and 7117. Mechanical safety focuses on potential damage or breaking of the jewelry before it is used. Physical properties are the requirements for stability of hardness, and density to prevent potential damage. Chemical standard safety includes restrictions on some harmful chemical substances in jewelry to meet the standards of the country. Meanwhile, the labelling information requires ensuring that the consumers know all of the material composition of the jewelry products. Lastly, the fine precious metal alloys have been separated from the standard of technical requirements. Here is the summary table about the technical safety requirements for exporting jewelry under the HS code 71131991 to Hong Kong, China. 

Second question: What is the tariff rate for exporting jewelry under the HS code 71131991 from Italy to Hong Kong?

Answer: Exportation of jewelry under HS code 71131991 is defined by the regulatory framework of the Hong Kong Trade Intervention Department. Hong Kong has also applied an antidumping regime for customized jewelry from certain countries, including Italy. However, there is no specific tariff rate provided by the source of exportation of jewelry under HS code 71131991 from Italy to Hong Kong. The regulator applied a non-preferential regime or Most Favoured Nations (MFN) for zero percent of products that come from several European countries, such as Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, and others. This is the table of exportation of jewelry under HS code 71131991 from Italy to Hong Kong: 

Third question: What are the specific conditions under which Hong Kong imposes antidumping duties on modifiable jewelry? 

Answer: Hong Kong imposes antidumping duties on jewelry from China. This is mentioned under the specific condition by the Trade Intervention Department of Hong Kong. The reason for these duties are applied because of the implementation of antidumping duties by several EU countries. These duties are based on the foreign producers from China for modifiable jewelry that is priced below the price in the European market. The Trade Intervention Department of Hong Kong has the responsibility to investigate the potential antidumping and conduct actions through Commercial Information Circulars (CICs). The antidumping can be applied if there is a conclusive determination from the government agency. On the other hand, the FTA between Hong Kong, China, and ASEAN countries can still be subject to antidumping duties. This means that Hong Kong can implement the measures to protect its interests. Here is the table of specific conditions of materials of modified jewelry products to export to Hong Kong. 

Conclusion

Declaring the HS code for jewelry is one of the requirements in cross-border trade. The process of finding the HS code for jewelry is only the beginning of the export and import process. However, the accuracy of the HS code for jewelry and other products is important and cannot be neglected to ensure that the products pass the customs process quickly. Meanwhile, the HS code for jewelry is under chapter 71, and there are additional heading and subheading codes behind it. In order to avoid an inaccurate HS code for jewelry, you need to stay informed about the updated codes and latest regulations in the destination country. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) of the HS code for jewelry

1. What is the structure of the HS code for modified or customized jewelry?

The structure of the HS code for modified or customized jewelry is under chapter 71. The full structure of the HS code for the modified jewelry is 711319 for other precious jewelry with or without clad. 

2. Are there any technical requirements for exporting jewelry to Hong Kong? 

Yes, Hong Kong regulations follow the technical requirements from the National Standard of PRC, which includes the mechanical, chemical, physical, and labelling requirements. 

3. What agencies are responsible for exportation jewelry to Hong Kong? 

There are three agencies that are responsible for the exportation of jewelry and other products to Hong Kong, including the Customs Authority of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Trade Intervention Department, and the National Standard of the PRC. 

4. Are there any export documentation requirements for exporting jewelry from China to Hong Kong? 

Yes, there are several documentation requirements for exporting jewelry from China to Hong Kong, including an application form, a cash transaction report, and the exporter must ensure that the products are aligned with the National Standard of the PRC. 

5. Does Hong Kong have an FTA with other countries? 

Yes, Hong Kong have one FTA with other countries, which is under the FTA between Hong Kong, China and ASEAN countries. This FTA was applied to the international trade between ASEAN and Hong Kong in order to promote trade relations between those parties.

Find and Match the Right HS Code for Your Products.

Try Our App