Mother-of-Pearl Button Blanks from Germany
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 — Germany → United States
10%
Rate breakdown
9903.05.3910%Section 301 (forced labor) — European Union member state (col1 rate < 10 percent): MFN < 10% → total duty capped at 10%
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