Quick answer: finished silver jewelry from India pays about 15.35% in US government charges today: a 5% normal duty, a 10% Section 301 tariff and a 0.3464% processing fee. Gold jewelry pays about 15.85%. Loose diamonds and coloured gemstones cut in India pay 10%. Courier fees come on top, and on small parcels they can take the total past 20%.
If you run a store in the US, buy wholesale from Indian manufacturers, or export jewellery from India to the US, this guide covers every charge on the bill, using the rates in force in September 2026. For the wider case for manufacturing in India, see why US brands make silver jewelry in India.
Landed cost calculator
Pick a product and an order value to see US duty, tariff and fees on a shipment from India.
Estimate only. Processing fee: $2.69 for entries under $2,500, and 0.3464% (minimum $33.58, maximum $651.50) at $2,500 and above. Courier fees use FedEx's published US schedule: $9.75 entry fee up to $200, $19.50 from $200.01 to $800, plus a disbursement fee of the greater of $17.50 or 2.5% of duty and processing fee, the rate FedEx has charged since 20 July 2026. Above $800, ask your courier or broker for their entry fee.
US import duty on jewelry, diamonds and gemstones from India
| Product | HTS code | Normal duty | Section 301 | Total before fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silver jewelry, over $18 per dozen pieces | 7113.11.50 | 5% | 10% | 15% |
| Silver jewelry, $18 or less per dozen pieces | 7113.11.20 | 13.5% | 10% | 23.5% |
| Argentium silver jewelry | 7113.11 | as silver | 10% | 15% or 23.5% |
| Gold jewelry | 7113.19.50 | 5.5% | 10% | 15.5% |
| Imitation or fashion jewelry, base metal | 7117.19.90 | 11% | 10% | 21% |
| Loose natural diamonds cut in India | 7102 | 0% | 10% | 10% |
| Loose coloured gemstones cut in India | 7103 | 0% | 10% | 10% |
| Lab-grown diamonds | 7104 | 0% | 10% | 10% |
The normal duty rates come from the US Harmonized Tariff Schedule. The normal duty does not apply to unset diamonds or gems, which is why loose stones pay only the Section 301 tariff. Gold necklaces and chains sit in their own subheadings, so check the code for those items.
India's Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council puts the total the same way: US jewelry imports from India pay the existing normal duty of 5.5 to 6% plus the 10% Section 301 tariff, an effective rate of about 15.5 to 16%, and lab-grown diamonds and synthetic stones also pay the extra 10%.
Does Argentium silver pay the same duty as sterling?
Yes. US Customs classifies jewelry by the metal it is made of, not by the brand of alloy. Argentium 960 is 96% silver, so it falls under the silver jewelry heading 7113.11 and pays exactly what sterling pays.
How the charges are worked out
Four things make up the bill on any jewelry shipment from India.
1. Normal duty. The long-standing rate for the product's HTS code, shown in the table above. India lost its duty-free GSP access in 2019, so Indian jewelry pays the full rate.
2. Section 301 tariff. Since 24 July 2026, Indian goods pay an extra 10% under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, and it stacks on top of the normal duty. It has no built-in end date and stays in place until the USTR changes or ends it.
3. Merchandise processing fee. A CBP fee. For the 2026 fiscal year, formal entries pay 0.3464% of value with a $33.58 minimum and a $651.50 maximum. Informal entries pay a flat $2.69 when filed electronically.
4. Courier or broker fees. Charged by FedEx, DHL, UPS or your customs broker for clearing the parcel. Not a government charge, and often the biggest surprise on a small order.
Duty is charged on the value of the goods. International freight and insurance are generally left out of US customs value.
How US tariffs on Indian jewelry changed in 2025 and 2026
If you have seen 50%, 25% or 18% quoted for Indian jewelry, each came from a different point in this timeline.
- August 2025US tariffs on Indian goods reach 50%.
- Early February 2026The 25% Russian oil penalty is removed. Indian jewelry pays 31%: a 25% reciprocal tariff plus the 6% normal duty.
- 7 February 2026A US and India interim framework proposes 0% on loose natural diamonds and coloured gemstones, and 18% on finished jewelry and lab-grown diamonds.
- 20 February 2026The Supreme Court rules the IEEPA tariffs unlawful. The 25% ends, and the proposed 18% falls with it.
- 24 February to 23 July 2026A temporary global 10% tariff under Section 122, capped by law at 150 days.
- 24 July 2026 to todayA 10% Section 301 tariff on Indian goods. India was first proposed for 12.5% and moved to the lower 10% band after adopting a ban on imports made with forced labour. Goods already in transit before 24 July and entered before 28 July were spared.
How India compares with other jewelry hubs
The 24 July 2026 tariffs were not the same for every country. Some pay a flat extra rate on top of their normal duty. Others have a cap on the combined total. For silver jewelry, where the normal duty is 5%, that gives these totals:
| Where the jewelry is made | How the Section 301 tariff works | Silver jewelry total |
|---|---|---|
| European Union, including Italy | Combined duty capped at 10% | 10% |
| Taiwan | Combined duty capped at 10% | 10% |
| Japan, South Korea, Switzerland | Combined duty capped at 12.5% | 12.5% |
| India, UK, Mexico, Canada and 13 others | Flat 10% on top of normal duty | 15% |
| China, Thailand, Vietnam, Turkey, UAE and other investigated economies | Flat 12.5% on top of normal duty | 17.5% |
So India now pays less than Thailand, Vietnam and China, its main rivals for silver jewelry, but more than Italy and the rest of the EU. China's total can be higher again, because the new tariff stacks on top of Section 301 tariffs it already paid. Canadian and Mexican goods that qualify under USMCA are exempt.
Are diamonds and gemstones from India tariff free?
Not right now. The US exempts loose coloured gemstones, natural pearls and diamonds from the European Union, Cambodia, Indonesia and Taiwan. Gems and jewelry from India still pay 10%.
Origin is set by where the stone is cut, not where it was mined. Rough diamonds that are cut and polished in India count as Indian origin and pay the 10% tariff on entry to the US.
The precious metals exemption does not help finished jewelry either. It covers metal in raw or semi-manufactured form, such as bars, grain and sheet.
The $800 de minimis rule no longer applies
Parcels worth $800 or less used to enter the US duty free. That ended on 29 August 2025. On 24 June 2026 CBP wrote the indefinite suspension into its regulations, and on 13 August 2026 the Court of International Trade upheld it in Axle of Dearborn v. Department of Commerce.
It is not coming back. Congress has already repealed the exemption by law, with effect from 1 July 2027, so even a successful appeal would only restore it for a few months.
So a $150 pair of earrings pays duty the same way a $15,000 wholesale order does.
Why small jewelry parcels cost more than 20%
This is where most buyers get caught. A FedEx duty invoice for a US import carries these lines:
- A clearance entry fee: $9.75 for shipments up to $200, and $19.50 from $200.01 to $800.
- A disbursement fee for paying your duty on your behalf: the greater of $17.50 or 2.5% of the duty and processing fee. FedEx raised this from $15 or 2% on 20 July 2026.
- The CBP processing fee, about $2.69 on an informal entry.
These fees are mostly flat. On a small order they can be as large as the duty itself.
Worked example: silver jewelry from India by courier
| Order value | Duty and tariff (15%) | Courier and CBP fees | Total charges | Share of order |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $100 | $15.00 | $29.94 | $44.94 | 45% |
| $200 | $30.00 | $29.94 | $59.94 | 30% |
| $500 | $75.00 | $39.69 | $114.69 | 23% |
| $800 | $120.00 | $39.69 | $159.69 | 20% |
Worked example: a $10,000 wholesale order
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Silver jewelry, value of goods | $10,000.00 |
| Normal duty, 5% | $500.00 |
| Section 301 tariff, 10% | $1,000.00 |
| Merchandise processing fee, 0.3464% | $34.64 |
| Paid to US Customs | $1,534.64 (15.3%) |
Your broker's entry fee goes on top. At this size the total stays close to 16%.
For buyers, the lesson is to consolidate. One $1,000 shipment costs far less in charges than ten $100 parcels.
Is there VAT or sales tax on imported jewelry in the US?
There is no VAT or GST on imports into the US, and no tax is added on top of the duty. The UK and EU work differently: there, import VAT is charged on the goods plus the duty.
Sales tax is a state tax. It is charged when the jewelry is sold to the final customer, not at the border. A US retailer buying stock to resell gives a resale certificate and pays no sales tax on the wholesale purchase.
If you are an Indian brand selling direct to US customers online, a state can ask you to collect its sales tax once your sales into that state pass its threshold, often $100,000 a year.
Who pays the duty: DDP or DAP
DDP, Delivered Duty Paid: the seller pays the duty and fees and builds them into the price. The buyer pays nothing on delivery.
DAP, Delivered At Place: the buyer pays duty and fees to the courier before the parcel is released.
Ask which one applies before you order. It decides whether the price you see is the price you pay.
Paid 25% or 50% on Indian jewelry in 2025? You may get money back
Those tariffs were collected under the IEEPA powers the Supreme Court struck down on 20 February 2026. CBP opened its CAPE refund system on 20 April 2026, and a second phase for entries flagged for reconciliation opened on 29 June 2026. IEEPA duties paid up to 24 February 2026 are covered, including the tariffs on Indian goods.
Two catches. Low-value parcels that went through courier or postal de minimis channels are not part of the court's refund order and are being argued separately. And the government has appealed the order, so timing is not certain. If you imported formally through a broker, ask them to file a CAPE declaration. If you paid a courier on a small parcel, ask the courier in writing about the status of your refund.
What could change next
Russia sanctions bill. The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 passed the Senate 86 to 11 in August and the House 262 to 159 on 16 September. It lets the president put tariffs of up to 100% on the largest buyers of Russian oil and gas, a group that includes India. It does not impose them automatically, and the list is reviewed every 180 days. As of 22 September it is waiting for the president's signature.
Overproduction investigation. The USTR is running a separate Section 301 case that could add tariffs on 16 countries, India among them.
India and US trade agreement. India's jewellery export council is pushing for an early bilateral deal and for natural diamonds and coloured gemstones to be exempted.
We update this page when the rate moves.
For Indian jewellery exporters shipping to the USA
- Put the full 10-digit HTS code on every invoice. For silver jewelry it is 7113.11.5000 or 7113.11.2000.
- Declare India as the country of origin and state the metal purity.
- State the price per piece. The $18 per dozen line decides whether your buyer pays 5% or 13.5%.
- Agree DDP or DAP in writing before you ship.
- Encourage small buyers to consolidate orders, so the courier's flat fees are spread over more stock.
Import duty on jewellery in India from the USA
Bringing jewelry the other way costs much more than the US charges.
- Gold and silver bullion: 15% since 13 May 2026, made up of 10% basic customs duty and a 5% agriculture cess. Platinum rose to 15.4%.
- Cut and polished diamonds and coloured gemstones: 5% basic customs duty. The industry has asked for 2.5%.
- Finished gold and silver jewellery (HSN 7113): charged at a higher rate than bullion, with IGST on top. Rates were changed in 2026, so check the current CBIC notification before you ship.
- GST on imports: IGST is charged on top of customs duty. It is 3% on gold, silver and polished diamonds.
Commercial gold imports in India are limited to nominated agencies such as RBI-authorised banks, Star Trading Houses, SEZ units and export-oriented units. Individuals cannot import gold commercially.
Frequently asked questions
What is the US import duty on jewelry from India in 2026?
About 15% for silver jewelry and 15.5% for gold jewelry: the normal duty plus a 10% Section 301 tariff. Add 0.3464% for the CBP processing fee and your courier's clearance fee.
What is the tariff on Indian jewelry in the USA right now?
10% on top of the normal duty, in force since 24 July 2026 under Section 301. The earlier 50%, 25% and 18% rates no longer apply.
What is the HTS code for silver jewelry?
7113.11.5000 for silver jewelry valued over $18 per dozen pieces, and 7113.11.2000 for pieces valued at $18 or less per dozen.
Is there import duty on diamonds from India?
Yes. Loose diamonds cut in India pay the 10% Section 301 tariff. There is no normal duty on unset diamonds.
Are gemstones from India duty free in the US?
No. Coloured gemstones cut in India pay 10%. The gemstone exemption covers stones from the EU, Cambodia, Indonesia and Taiwan, not India.
Is jewelry under $800 duty free in the US?
No. The $800 de minimis exemption has been suspended indefinitely and written into CBP regulations. Every parcel pays duty.
Why was I charged more than 20% on a small jewelry order?
Courier fees are mostly flat. On a $200 parcel, FedEx's entry fee of $9.75 and its disbursement fee of at least $17.50 come to $27.25, on top of the 15% duty and tariff.
Is there VAT on imported jewelry in the US?
No. The US has no import VAT. Sales tax is charged by states when the jewelry is sold to the final customer.
Does Argentium silver jewelry pay the same duty as sterling silver?
Yes. Argentium 960 is 96% silver and is classed under the silver jewelry heading 7113.11, so it pays the same rates as sterling.
What is the import duty on jewellery in India from the USA?
Gold and silver bullion pay 15% since 13 May 2026. Cut and polished diamonds and coloured gemstones pay 5% basic customs duty. Finished jewellery carries a higher rate than bullion, with IGST on top, so check the current customs notification before shipping.
Buying Argentium silver jewelry from India?
Argentia makes Argentium 960 jewelry in Jaipur for brands and retailers in the US and worldwide. Argentium Silver Trademark Registered User, licence AS2475. Every quote shows landed cost line by line, so you see the duty, the tariff and the courier fees before you order.
Sources
- Greenberg Traurig: USTR Section 301 forced labor tariffs on 60 economies
- Federal Register: Notice of actions in the Section 301 forced labor investigations
- Rapaport: New US tariffs include diamonds and gemstones
- Indian Jeweller: GJEPC on the new US tariff regime
- National Jeweler: New tariffs and what they mean for jewelry
- Federal Register: Indefinite suspension of the de minimis exemption
- US International Trade Commission: Harmonized Tariff Schedule
- Jewelers Vigilance Committee: Tariff tracker
- TaxGuru: India customs duty on gold and silver raised to 15%
- Troutman Pepper Locke: Section 301 rate treatments by country
- FedEx: disbursement fee change, 20 July 2026
- CBP: IEEPA duty refunds and CAPE
- TaxProf Blog: Court of International Trade upholds de minimis suspension
- Business Standard: House passes Russia sanctions bill
This guide is general information, not legal or customs advice. Rates are current as of 22 September 2026 and can change at short notice. Confirm with a licensed US customs broker before you ship.