Mother-of-Pearl Button Blanks from Mexico
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 — Mexico → United States
16%
Rate breakdown
9903.03.0110%Except for products described in headings 9903.03.02–9903.03.11, articles the product of any country, as provided for in subdivision (aa) of U.S. note 2 to this subchapter
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