Mother-of-Pearl Button Blanks from China
Cut and polished blanks from mother-of-pearl shells for high-end shirt buttons. Falls under HTS 9606.30.8000 as other button blanks, allowing shell material per chapter notes unless minor constituent.
Duty Rate — China → United States
43.5%
Rate breakdown
9903.05.3112.5%Except for products described in headings 9903.05.85–9903.05.92, articles the product of China, as provided for in U.S. note 52 to this subchapter
9903.88.0325%Except as provided in headings 9903.88.13, 9903.88.18, 9903.88.33, 9903.88.34, 9903.88.35, 9903.88.36, 9903.88.37, 9903.88.38, 9903.88.40, 9903.88.41, 9903.88.43, 9903.88.45, 9903.88.46, 9903.88.48, 9903.88.56, 9903.88.64, 9903.88.66, 9903.88.67, 9903.88.68, or 9903.88.69, articles the product of China, as provided for in U.S. note 20(e) to this subchapter and as provided for in the subheadings enumerated in U.S. note 20(f)
Import Tips
• Obtain CITES permits if shell species are protected
• Document shell origin and processing to avoid misclassification as finished pearls
• Test for natural vs synthetic to confirm chapter note allowances