How New § 301 Forced Labor Tariffs Affect Jewelry & Gemstone Imports — What Huiliu-Global Buyers Need to Know

On July 23, 2026, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced the results of its § 301 forced labor investigation, introducing new tariffs on goods from 60 countries, effective July 24, 2026 at 12:01am ET. As a platform specializing in authenticated jadeite, gemstones, and luxury assets, Huiliu-Global is committed to keeping our buyers and partners informed of regulatory changes that may affect pricing and sourcing.

What Are the New Tariff Rates?

The new § 301 forced labor tariffs are structured as follows:

• 10% on goods from Argentina, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Canada (excluding USMCA), India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom, and others.
• 10% net of MFN rate for goods from the European Union and Taiwan.
• 12.5% net of MFN rate for goods from Japan, South Korea, and Switzerland.
• 12.5% on goods from China, Hong Kong, Singapore, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Thailand, and others.

What Is Exempted?

Importantly for the jewelry and gemstone industry, the following product categories are fully exempted from the new tariffs across all countries:

• Gold bullion, dore, and semimanufactured gold forms
• Platinum, palladium, rhodium, and other precious metals (unwrought and semimanufactured)
• Monetary gold and coins

For select countries including the EU, Taiwan, Switzerland, Indonesia, and Jordan, the following are also exempted:

• Natural pearls
• Diamonds (unsorted, unworked, and worked)
• Rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and other precious/semiprecious stones (unworked, sawn, or cut but not set)

What Does This Mean for Jadeite and Jade?

Jadeite and jade products (finished jewelry, pendants, bangles) are not listed among the exempted categories, and goods originating from China, Hong Kong, Myanmar, and other key sourcing regions may be subject to the applicable tariff rates. Buyers importing authenticated pieces through Huiliu-Global should consult their customs broker regarding HS code classification and applicable duties on specific items.

Countries with 0% Tariff (Effective July 24)

The prior global § 122 tariff of 10% has expired. Countries not included in the forced labor investigation now carry a 0% tariff rate, including Myanmar (Burma), Madagascar, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and others.

What Should You Do?

• Review any planned incoming shipments from affected countries.
• Contact your customs broker to assess tariff liability based on HS codes.
• For ongoing updates, visit the JVC Tariff Tracker.

At Huiliu-Global, we remain committed to transparency and compliance. If you have questions about how these changes may affect your purchase or consignment, please contact us at support@octaflow.com.

Source: Jewelers Vigilance Committee Member Alert, July 23, 2026.