HS code · 2-digit chapter

HS Code 71 – Natural, cultured pearls; precious, semi-precious stones; precious metals, metals clad with precious metal, and articles thereof; imitation jewellery; coin

What HS 71 covers

HS Chapter 71 encompasses a vast and economically significant array of goods, covering natural or cultured pearls, precious and semi-precious stones, precious metals, metals clad with precious metal, articles made from these materials, imitation jewellery, and coin. This chapter is critical for the global luxury goods market, investment sectors, and industrial applications. Its scope extends from raw, unworked materials like rough diamonds (71.02) and unwrought gold bullion (71.08) to highly processed finished articles such as fine jewellery (71.13), goldsmiths' and silversmiths' wares (71.14), and even imitation jewellery (71.17). Key sub-categories include the classification of pearls and stones (71.01-71.04), forms of precious metals like unwrought, semi-manufactured or powder (71.06-71.11), and crucial provisions for waste and scrap of precious metal (71.12) which supports the recycling industry. The boundaries are defined by the material's inherent value and primary function. For instance, an article is classified here if its primary character derives from the precious metal or stone, whereas a base metal article merely plated with precious metal for functional purposes might fall elsewhere. This distinction is vital for accurate classification and compliance. For importers, exporters, and customs professionals, precise classification under Chapter 71 is paramount due to the high value and sensitive nature of these goods. It impacts customs duties, taxes (VAT/GST), and often triggers specific regulatory requirements such as CITES for certain materials, anti-money laundering (AML) checks, and stringent valuation rules. Misclassification can lead to substantial penalties, delays, and even seizure. Historically, these goods have been symbols of wealth and currency, driving significant international trade and contributing to diverse economies, from mining to high-end manufacturing and retail. Understanding the major headings – from raw materials to finished luxury items and even numismatic coins (71.18) – is fundamental for seamless global trade in this high-stakes sector.

Covers
  • Natural pearls (unworked)
  • Cultured pearls (drilled)
  • Unmounted polished diamonds
  • Faceted emeralds
  • Cabochon cut sapphires
  • Ruby engagement rings
  • Gold bullion bars (unwrought)
  • Silver coin (legal tender)
  • Platinum wire
  • Palladium catalysts (waste)
  • Gold necklaces
  • Sterling silver earrings
  • Brooches of precious metal
  • Chalices of goldsmiths' wares
  • Silver cutlery sets
  • Gold-plated watches (if precious metal content primary)
  • Imitation pearl necklaces
  • Costume jewelry bracelets
  • Gold dust
  • Dental gold alloys
  • Rhodium-plated jewelry
  • Loose synthetic diamonds
  • Precious metal waste for refining
  • Gold-clad base metal sheets
  • Ancient collectible coins (non-legal tender)
Examples

A high-end jewelry manufacturer in Italy imports polished, unmounted diamonds (71.02) from cutting centers in Surat, India, via air cargo for setting into luxury rings and necklaces targeted at the European and American markets. The typical route involves air freight from Mumbai (BOM) to Milan (MXP) or Rome (FCO). A major investment firm in New York imports gold bullion bars (71.08) from a reputable refinery in Canada (e.g., Royal Canadian Mint) for secure storage and trading. These high-value shipments often travel via secure armored transport and air freight, benefiting from specific duty exemptions for investment-grade precious metals. A fashion retailer in the United Kingdom sources a large volume of trendy imitation necklaces and earrings (71.17) from manufacturers in Yiwu, China, for its mass-market stores. These goods are typically shipped by sea container from Ningbo or Shanghai to Felixstowe, subject to standard Most Favored Nation (MFN) tariffs. A Swiss luxury watch brand exports finished gold watches with significant precious metal content (71.13) to distributors in Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates. These high-value items are air freighted, requiring meticulous documentation for customs duties and luxury taxes in the destination markets.

Headings in chapter 71 18

71.01Pearls; natural or cultured, whether or not worked or graded but not strung, mounted or set; pearls, natural or cultured, temporarily strung for the convenience of transport71.02Diamonds, whether or not worked, but not mounted or set71.03Precious (excluding diamond) and semi-precious stone; worked, graded, not strung, mounted, set; ungraded precious (excluding diamond) and semi-precious stone, temporarily strung for convenience of transport71.04Stones; synthetic or reconstructed precious or semi-precious, whether or not worked or graded but not strung, mounted or set; ungraded synthetic or reconstructed precious or semi-precious stones, temporarily strung for convenience of transport71.05Dust and powder of natural or synthetic precious or semi-precious stone71.06Silver (including silver plated with gold or platinum); unwrought or in semi-manufactured forms, or in powder form71.07Base metals clad with silver; not further worked than semi-manufactured71.08Gold (including gold plated with platinum) unwrought or in semi-manufactured forms, or in powder form71.09Base metals or silver, clad with gold, not further worked than semi-manufactured71.10Platinum; unwrought or in semi-manufactured forms, or in powder form71.11Base metals, silver or gold, clad with platinum; not further worked than semi-manufactured71.12Waste and scrap of precious metal or of metal clad with precious metal; other waste and scrap containing precious metal compounds, of a kind uses principally for the recovery of precious metal other than goods of heading 85.4971.13Jewellery articles and parts thereof, of precious metal or of metal clad with precious metal71.14Articles of goldsmiths' or silversmiths' wares and parts thereof, of precious metal or of metal clad with precious metal71.15Articles of precious metal or of metal clad with precious metal71.16Articles of natural or cultured pearls, precious or semi-precious stones (natural, synthetic or reconstructed)71.17Imitation jewellery71.18Coin

65 Brazil NCM codes in chapter 71 →

Codes often confused with 71

Common mistake. Common misclassifications in Chapter 71 often arise from the distinction between primary function and material composition. For instance, gold-plated connectors or bonding wires in electronic components are frequently mistaken for articles of precious metal (Chapter 71) when they properly fall under Chapter 85 (e.g., 85.36 for electrical connectors or 85.42 for integrated circuits). The precious metal, in this case, serves a functional electrical purpose rather than being the article's intrinsic value or adornment. Similarly, dental crowns with gold content are often incorrectly classified under 71.13 (articles of jewellery) instead of 90.21 (orthopaedic appliances), as their primary function is medical. Another common error involves distinguishing between imitation jewellery (71.17) and simple articles of plastic (39.26) or base metal (e.g., 73.23). If an item is clearly designed for personal adornment and made of non-precious materials mimicking precious ones, it belongs in 71.17; otherwise, if it's merely a plastic accessory or base metal utensil, it falls elsewhere.

Top exporters and importers of HS code 71, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 71 in UN Comtrade data was Switzerland, with 16% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Switzerland, with 17% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Switzerland $220.6B
  2. 2 United States $148.0B
  3. 3 United Arab Emirates* ~$129.0B

World total: $1.37T Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Switzerland $237.1B
  2. 2 United Kingdom $180.7B
  3. 3 Hong Kong $154.1B

World total: $1.37T Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

How these figures are built

109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).

Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.

Questions about HS 71

What is HS code 71?

HS code 71 is a 2-digit chapter in the Harmonized System that covers: Natural, cultured pearls; precious, semi-precious stones; precious metals, metals clad with precious metal, and articles thereof; imitation jewellery; coin. HS Chapter 71 encompasses a vast and economically significant array of goods, covering natural or cultured pearls, precious and semi-precious stones, precious metals, metals clad with precious metal, articles made from these materials, imitation jewellery, and coin. This chapter is critical for the global luxury goods market, investment sectors, and industrial applications. Its scope extends from raw, unworked materials like rough diamonds (71.02) and unwrought gold bullion (71.08) to highly processed finished articles such as fine jewellery (71.13), goldsmiths' and silversmiths' wares (71.14), and even imitation jewellery (71.17). Key sub-categories include the classification of pearls and stones (71.01-71.04), forms of precious metals like unwrought, semi-manufactured or powder (71.06-71.11), and crucial provisions for waste and scrap of precious metal (71.12) which supports the recycling industry. The boundaries are defined by the material's inherent value and primary function. For instance, an article is classified here if its primary character derives from the precious metal or stone, whereas a base metal article merely plated with precious metal for functional purposes might fall elsewhere. This distinction is vital for accurate classification and compliance. For importers, exporters, and customs professionals, precise classification under Chapter 71 is paramount due to the high value and sensitive nature of these goods. It impacts customs duties, taxes (VAT/GST), and often triggers specific regulatory requirements such as CITES for certain materials, anti-money laundering (AML) checks, and stringent valuation rules. Misclassification can lead to substantial penalties, delays, and even seizure. Historically, these goods have been symbols of wealth and currency, driving significant international trade and contributing to diverse economies, from mining to high-end manufacturing and retail. Understanding the major headings – from raw materials to finished luxury items and even numismatic coins (71.18) – is fundamental for seamless global trade in this high-stakes sector.

What products fall under HS code 71?

Natural pearls (unworked), Cultured pearls (drilled), Unmounted polished diamonds, Faceted emeralds, Cabochon cut sapphires, Ruby engagement rings, Gold bullion bars (unwrought), Silver coin (legal tender), Platinum wire, Palladium catalysts (waste), Gold necklaces, Sterling silver earrings, Brooches of precious metal, Chalices of goldsmiths' wares, Silver cutlery sets, Gold-plated watches (if precious metal content primary), Imitation pearl necklaces, Costume jewelry bracelets, Gold dust, Dental gold alloys, Rhodium-plated jewelry, Loose synthetic diamonds, Precious metal waste for refining, Gold-clad base metal sheets, Ancient collectible coins (non-legal tender)

What are common misclassifications for HS code 71?

Common misclassifications in Chapter 71 often arise from the distinction between primary function and material composition. For instance, gold-plated connectors or bonding wires in electronic components are frequently mistaken for articles of precious metal (Chapter 71) when they properly fall under Chapter 85 (e.g., 85.36 for electrical connectors or 85.42 for integrated circuits). The precious metal, in this case, serves a functional electrical purpose rather than being the article's intrinsic value or adornment. Similarly, dental crowns with gold content are often incorrectly classified under 71.13 (articles of jewellery) instead of 90.21 (orthopaedic appliances), as their primary function is medical. Another common error involves distinguishing between imitation jewellery (71.17) and simple articles of plastic (39.26) or base metal (e.g., 73.23). If an item is clearly designed for personal adornment and made of non-precious materials mimicking precious ones, it belongs in 71.17; otherwise, if it's merely a plastic accessory or base metal utensil, it falls elsewhere.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 71?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 71 in UN Comtrade data were Switzerland ($220.6B, 16% of world exports), the United States ($148.0B) and the United Arab Emirates (about $129.0B). World exports came to about $1.37T, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.

Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 71?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 71 in UN Comtrade data were Switzerland ($237.1B, 17% of world imports), the United Kingdom ($180.7B) and Hong Kong ($154.1B). World imports came to about $1.37T, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.

How is HS code 71 structured?

HS code 71 is a 2-digit chapter code in the Harmonized System maintained by the World Customs Organization. It represents a broad category of goods and contains multiple 4-digit headings and 6-digit subheadings for more specific classifications.