Gemstones|HTS Code

Gemstones harmonized system code

Product Overview Gemstones classified under HTS 7103.91 are natural precious and semi-precious stones presented in an unworked state — uncut, merely sawn, cleaved or roughly shaped — intended for further cutting, polishing or wholesale trade. Key characteristics recorded for customs and valuation include weight (carats, ct), linear dimensions (millimetres, mm), basic gemological parameters (refractive index, RI; specific gravity, SG), color grading and observed clarity/treatment status. Processing levels covered by this subheading explicitly exclude fully cut and polished stones or stones mounted in jewelry; it encompasses rough parcels, individual rough specimens and sawn slices. Product classifications within 7103.91 are typically operationally subdivided by condition (unworked vs. sawn/roughly shaped), treatment disclosure (natural untreated vs. heat‑treated/irradiated) and, where relevant for national statistical reporting, by species groups (e.g., corundum, beryl group entries). Commercial applications are downstream lapidary cutting and polishing, wholesale gem trading, supply inventories for jewelry manufacturers and use as industrial preforms for precision components. Typical documentation supporting classification includes gemological certificates, commercial invoices specifying carat weight and treatment, and country‑of‑origin statements. HTS Code Classification & Trade Specifications Complete HTS structure: Chapter 71 (Articles of Chapter 71 — natural/cultured pearls; precious and semi‑precious stones), Heading 7103 (Precious stones, natural or semi‑precious, unworked or simply sawn/roughly shaped) and Subheading 7103.91 (6‑digit form: 710391) — the U.S. subheading applied to eligible natural rough gemstones not mounted in jewelry. Classification rationale: items fall under 7103.91 when of natural origin and subjected only to minimal mechanical processing (unworked, sawn, cleaved or roughly shaped), distinguishing them from cut/polished stones, mounted jewelry or synthetic/reconstructed materials classified elsewhere. Trade considerations: secure inner packaging (individual polybags, foil pouches or foam‑lined trays), tamper‑evident outer cartons, humidity control for sensitive organics and segregation from abrasives to prevent surface damage. Shipping and duty documentation requirements include a commercial invoice with HS/HTS number, precise carat weights and unit values, country of origin, and accompanying gemological certificates (GIA, SSEF, IGI or equivalent). Quality standards mandate explicit disclosure of treatments and measurable attributes (ct, mm, RI, SG) and compliance with applicable export controls or CITES listings where relevant.

Gemstones Chapter Note

1.- Subject to Note 1 (A) to Section VI and except as provided below, all articles consisting wholly or partly : (a) Of natural or cultured pearls or of precious or semi-precious stones (natural, synthetic or reconstructed), or (b) Of precious metal or of metal clad with precious metal, are to be classified in this Chapter. 2.- (A) Headings 71.13, 71.14 and 71.15 do not cover articles in which precious metal or metal clad with precious metal is present as minor constituents only, such as minor fittings or minor ornamentation (for example, monograms, ferrules and rims), and paragraph (b) of the foregoing Note does not apply to such articles (). (B) Heading 71.16 does not cover articles containing precious metal or metal clad with precious metal (other than as minor constituents). 3.- This Chapter does not cover : (a) Amalgams of precious metal, or colloidal precious metal (heading 28.43); (b) Sterile surgical suture materials, dental fillings or other goods of Chapter 30; (c) Goods of Chapter 32 (for example, lustres); (d) Supported catalysts (heading 38.15); (e) Articles of heading 42.02 or 42.03 referred to in Note 3 (B) to Chapter 42; (f) Articles of heading 43.03 or 43.04; (g) Goods of Section XI (textiles and textile articles); (h) Footwear, headgear or other articles of Chapter 64 or 65; (ij) Umbrellas, walking-sticks or other articles of Chapter 66; (k) Abrasive goods of heading 68.04 or 68.05 or Chapter 82, containing dust or powder of precious or semi-precious stones (natural or synthetic); articles of Chapter 82 with a working part of precious or semi-precious stones (natural, synthetic or reconstructed); machinery, mechanical appliances or electrical goods, or parts thereof, of Section XVI. However, articles and parts thereof, wholly of precious or semi-precious stones (natural, synthetic or reconstructed) remain classified in this Chapter, except unmounted worked sapphires and diamonds for styli (heading 85.22); (l) Articles of Chapter 90, 91 or 92 (scientific instruments, clocks and watches, musical instruments); (m) Arms or parts thereof (Chapter 93); (n) Articles covered by Note 2 to Chapter 95; (o) Articles classified in Chapter 96 by virtue of Note 4 to that Chapter; or (p) Original sculptures or statuary (heading 97.03), collectors' pieces (heading 97.05) or antiques of an age exceeding one hundred years (heading 97.06), other than natural or cultured pearls or precious or semi-precious stones. 4.- (A) The expression “precious metal” means silver, gold and platinum. (B) The expression “platinum” means platinum, iridium, osmium, palladium, rhodium and ruthenium. (C) The expression “precious or semi-precious stones” does not include any of the substances specified in Note 2 (b) to Chapter 96. 5.- For the purposes of this Chapter, any alloy (including a sintered mixture and an inter-metallic compound) containing precious metal is to be treated as an alloy of precious metal if any one precious metal constitutes as much as 2 %, by weight, of the alloy. Alloys of precious metal are to be classified according to the following rules : (a) An alloy containing 2 % or more, by weight, of platinum is to be treated as an alloy of platinum; (b) An alloy containing 2 % or more, by weight, of gold but no platinum, or less than 2 %, by weight, of platinum, is to be treated as an alloy of gold; (c) Other alloys containing 2 % or more, by weight, of silver are to be treated as alloys of silver. 6.- Except where the context otherwise requires, any reference in the Nomenclature to precious metal or to any particular precious metal includes a reference to alloys treated as alloys of precious metal or of the particular metal in accordance with the rules in Note 5 above, but not to metal clad with precious metal or to base metal or non-metals plated with precious metal. 7.- Throughout the Nomenclature the expression “metal clad with precious metal” means material made with a base of metal upon one or more surfaces of which there is affixed by soldering, brazing, welding, hot-rolling or similar mechanical means a covering of precious metal. Except where the context otherwise requires, the expression also covers base metal inlaid with precious metal. 8.- Subject to Note 1 (A) to Section VI, goods answering to a description in heading 71.12 are to be classified in that heading and in no other heading of the Nomenclature. 9.- For the purposes of heading 71.13, the expression “articles of jewellery” means : (a) Any small objects of personal adornment (for example, rings, bracelets, necklaces, brooches, earrings, watch-chains, fobs, pendants, tie-pins, cuff-links, dress-studs, religious or other medals and insignia); and (b) Articles of personal use of a kind normally carried in the pocket, in the handbag or on the person (for example, cigar or cigarette cases, snuff boxes, cachou or pill boxes, powder boxes, chain purses or prayer beads). These articles may be combined or set, for example, with natural or cultured pearls, precious or semiprecious stones, synthetic or reconstructed precious or semi-precious stones, tortoise shell, mother-ofpearl, ivory, natural or reconstituted amber, jet or coral. 10.- For the purposes of heading 71.14, the expression “articles of goldsmiths' or silversmiths' wares” includes such articles as ornaments, tableware, toilet-ware, smokers' requisites and other articles of household, office or religious use. 11.- For the purposes of heading 71.17, the expression “imitation jewellery” means articles of jewellery within the meaning of paragraph (a) of Note 9 above (but not including buttons or other articles of heading 96.06, or dress-combs, hair-slides or the like, or hairpins, of heading 96.15), not incorporating natural or cultured pearls, precious or semi-precious stones (natural, synthetic or reconstructed) nor (except as plating or as minor constituents) precious metal or metal clad with precious metal.