Analysis
HTS 7101.21.00 covers cultured pearls: unworked under heading 7101 (pearls, natural or cultured, whether or not worked or graded but not strung, mounted or…).
The normal trade relations rate here is zero, shared by about 45% of the 108 tariff lines in chapter 71, a useful check when a neighbouring dutiable line is a candidate. Chapter 99 measures such as Section 301 or 232 can still apply on top, depending on where the goods come from.
The other lines in the same group are 7101.10.30 (graded and temporarily strung for convenience of transport, duty-free), 7101.10.60 (natural pearls: other, duty-free), 7101.22.30 (graded and temporarily strung for convenience of transport, duty-free) and 7101.22.60 (worked: other, duty-free).
Census statistics map these goods to NAICS 114119 (Other Marine Fishing), an industry of 127 US establishments employing 238 people. That concordance is how imports of this line are compared with US output.
Goods from countries without normal trade relations pay the column 2 rate of 10% instead of nothing, so origin decides between free entry and a 10% duty.
Neighbouring lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 7101.10.30 | Graded and temporarily strung for convenience of transport | Free |
| 7101.10.60 | Natural pearls: other | Free |
| 7101.22.30 | Graded and temporarily strung for convenience of transport | Free |
| 7101.22.60 | Worked: other | Free |