Sterling silver jewelry made in China pays 25% US import duty in total under HTS 7113.11.50, the line for pieces valued over USD 18 per dozen. Pieces valued at or below that pay 33.5% under HTS 7113.11.20. The duty is a percentage of the customs value of the goods, and the buyer pays it: we ship DAP, so you are the importer, and the courier usually collects the duty from you when the parcel clears US customs. Checked on 15 November 2026.
Three layers that add up
Three separate duties apply to silver jewelry of Chinese origin. Each is added to the others; none replaces another.
| Layer | HTS 7113.11.50 | HTS 7113.11.20 (low value) | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| General rate | 5% | 13.5% | USITC tariff schedule, chapter 71 |
| Section 301, List 4A (heading 9903.88.15) | 7.5% | 7.5% | CBP ruling N318369 |
| 2026 Section 301 duty (forced labour), heading 9903.05.31 | 12.5% | 12.5% | USITC tariff schedule, chapter 99 |
| Total | 25% | 33.5% |
- The general rate is the standard rate in the tariff schedule’s “General” column for that line.
- List 4A is an earlier Section 301 action on goods of China. In ruling N318369, CBP classified a sterling silver necklace from China under 7113.11.50 and confirmed this extra duty on top of the general rate.
- The 2026 Section 301 duty (heading 9903.05.31) came out of USTR’s investigations into economies that do not ban imports made with forced labour. It applies to products of China entered on or after 24 July 2026 (Federal Register 2026-15181). For China it is added to the other duties, not netted against them, and heading 7113 is not among its exceptions.
Which HTS line applies
Heading 7113.11 covers jewelry “of silver, whether or not plated or clad with other precious metal”. Gold vermeil and gold-plated sterling silver are in it too. Inside it:
- 7113.11.20 — silver jewelry valued at no more than USD 18 per dozen pieces or parts.
- 7113.11.50 — “Other”: silver jewelry valued above that line.
- 7113.11.10 — silver chain and similar articles made in continuous lengths, for making into jewelry. It has its own rate; if you buy chain by length, ask your customs broker.
To see which side of the line a design falls on, take its customs value per piece and multiply by twelve. Whether a pair of earrings counts as one piece or two is a question for your broker.
Choosing the line is part of your declaration as importer. If you need certainty, an importer can ask CBP for a classification ruling under 19 CFR part 177, as one did for N318369.
De minimis is suspended: samples and small parcels pay duty
The US used to let low-value parcels in without duty, under the “de minimis” exemption. That exemption is now suspended indefinitely for courier and cargo shipments, and by a companion rule, Federal Register 2026-12669, for international mail. Every parcel now goes through a formal or informal customs entry.
What that means for you:
- A sample is an import like any other. It pays duty on its value at the same rates, and the courier clears it. Budget for it when you order samples.
- Small top-up orders pay duty too, however small the parcel.
- Shipping single pieces from China straight to US customers now means duty and an entry for every parcel. Importing one order and shipping from inside the US may cost less.
Who pays, and when
- You pay. We ship on DAP terms (Delivered at Place, Incoterms 2020): we arrange transport to your door at the shipping cost on your quote, and you, as the importer, pay import duties, taxes and customs fees. The details are in our terms.
- The courier collects it. Express couriers usually clear customs for you and invoice you, the receiver, for the duty plus their own clearance fee — before delivery or by invoice afterwards.
- If a courier bills us, you reimburse us.
- Want a landed price? Ask us to quote DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) instead.
- Unpaid duty is costly. A parcel refused or returned because duty was not paid comes back at your cost.
How to estimate it
Duty is the customs value of the goods multiplied by the rate.
- Customs value is normally the price you pay for the goods. US rules leave out international transport and insurance (19 CFR 152.102), and add some costs if you carry them yourself — packing costs, or materials and moulds you supply to the maker for free, for example (19 CFR 152.103). If any of these apply to you, ask your customs broker.
- For most orders from us, that means: take the goods total on our invoice — not the shipping cost, which your quote lists — and multiply it by 25%.
- Add the fees. CBP charges a merchandise processing fee, set in 19 CFR 24.23 and reviewed each year, and couriers add their own clearance fee. Ask your courier for theirs.
- Silver moves. Our quotes are priced at the day’s silver price, so the customs value of the same design — and its duty — moves with silver.
This guide is general information, not legal or customs advice. Your customs broker, and CBP, have the final word on your entries.
Country of origin: made in China
- Marking. US rules require every imported article, or its container, to be marked with the English name of its country of origin (19 CFR 134.11). A tag or label is acceptable if it stays on until it reaches your customer (19 CFR 134.44). Plan where “Made in China” goes when you plan your packaging.
- Native American-style jewelry has a stricter rule: the origin must be marked permanently, for example stamped on the clasp or on a permanently attached tag (19 CFR 134.43).
- Declarations. On customs documents we describe the goods, their real value and their country of origin, China. We do not mark goods as gifts or declare a lower value.
What may change
- A second Section 301 investigation. In March 2026, USTR opened Section 301 investigations into “structural excess capacity” in 16 economies, China among them (Federal Register 2026-05214). When we checked on 15 November 2026, the Federal Register showed no action from it yet. If it ends in a new duty, that could add to the total.
- New rules for low-value shipments. CBP has proposed new filing and bond requirements for some informal entries (Federal Register 2026-20650).
- Rates can move at short notice. Check the date on any duty figure you read, including ours.
If you are also comparing other countries, see China vs Thailand vs India. Our prices, minimums and lead times are on our pricing page.
Sources
- USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule, chapter 71 — HTS 7113.11 lines and general rates.
- USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule, chapter 99 — headings 9903.88.15 and 9903.05.31.
- CBP ruling N318369 — sterling silver necklace from China, 7113.11.50 and 9903.88.15.
- Federal Register 2026-15181 — USTR notice of Section 301 action, 28 July 2026.
- Federal Register 2026-12670 and 2026-12669 — de minimis suspension.
- 19 CFR 152.102 and 152.103 — customs value.
- 19 CFR 24.23 — merchandise processing fee.
- 19 CFR 134.11, 134.43 and 134.44 — country of origin marking.
- Federal Register 2026-05214 and 2026-20650 — pending investigation and proposed rule.