Akoya Round Unworked Cultured Pearls
Unworked Akoya cultured pearls from Japanese Pinctada fucata oysters, featuring near-round shapes in their raw, unpolished form with high luster potential. These qualify for HTS 7101.21.00.00 as they undergo no working processes like tumbling or hole-making.
Import Duty Rates by Country of Origin
Alternative Classifications
This product could be classified differently depending on its characteristics or intended use.
If luster-polished or cleaned chemically
Surface treatments for enhancement count as working, per HTS definitions for pearl processing.
If strung into temporary necklaces
Stringing beyond mere transport convenience classifies as pearl articles, even without clasps.
If marketed as shell nacre products
Pearls extracted but sold primarily for their mother-of-pearl shell value shift to chapter 5 molluscs.
Not sure which classification is right?
The Tariff Assistant works through the GRI rules on your specific product to reach the right HTS code — and can price the duty on it in the same conversation.
Import Tips & Compliance
• Include lab reports confirming cultured status via X-ray to differentiate from rare natural pearls during inspection
• Separate sizes loosely if needed for inventory, but avoid permanent sorting that implies grading
• Budget for potential re-export if pearls fail authenticity tests, as misdeclaration penalties are steep
Related Products under HTS 7101.21.00.00
Chinese Coin-Shaped Unworked Pearls
Flat, unworked coin-shaped freshwater cultured pearls from China, undrilled and rough.
Freshwater Cultured Pearl Blanks
Unworked freshwater cultured pearls harvested directly from mussels, featuring irregular shapes and natural luster without any polishing, drilling, or grading. These pearls fall under HTS 7101.21.00.00 as they are unprocessed beyond basic harvesting and cleaning, not strung, mounted, or set for jewelry use.
South Sea Unworked Cultured Pearls
Large, unworked cultured pearls from Pinctada maxima oysters in Australian or Indonesian waters, retaining natural baroque shapes and unpolished surfaces. Classified under HTS 7101.21.00.00 due to their unprocessed state, suitable for further working into high-end jewelry.
Tahitian Black Unworked Cultured Pearls
Dark-colored unworked cultured pearls from French Polynesia's Pinctada margaritifera, in baroque or round raw forms without drilling or refinement. HTS 7101.21.00.00 applies to these unprocessed pearls destined for designer jewelry fabrication.
Baroque Freshwater Unworked Pearl Lots
Bulk lots of irregular baroque-shaped unworked freshwater cultured pearls from Chinese mussel farms, ungraded and unpolished for maximum versatility in crafting. These raw pearls are specifically covered by HTS 7101.21.00.00 as unworked products.
Hanadama Certified Raw Cultured Pearls
Unworked Akoya pearls meeting Japanese Hanadama quality standards but in raw, undrilled form prior to final processing. Despite certification, they remain unworked under HTS 7101.21.00.00 without mounting or stringing.