Importing / Shipping to the USA

There is no import tax or duty charged on minerals and fossils shipped to the to the USA. Be sure to use Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code number “9705.00.0090”. This code corresponds to “Collections and Collector’s Pieces of Mineralogical or Palaeontological Interest”.

No taxes are due upon importation of minerals, fossils, gems, jewelry and similar items into the USA. Further, there are no duties on minerals and fossils shipped into the USA. Be sure to have a detailed inventory list and use Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code number 9705.00.0090. This code corresponds to “Collections and Collectors’ Pieces of Mineralogical or Paleontological Interest”.

Most gems, jewelry, semi-precious / precious stones, and precious metals are also exempt from import duties. However there are many exceptions in which the duty is 10% or more. To learn which specific items are subject to duty, please visit the official United States International Trade Commission website and use the Search function.

If only a few items are subject to duty and the amount is low, it is usually fastest / cheapest to pay the duty. However, in cases where the duty would be high, then the exhibitor can acquire an ATA Carnet at a cost of about $300 (+ surety bond at a cost of 1% of the merchandise value). The ATA Carnet is an international customs document that allows the holder to temporarily (up to one year) import goods without payment of normally applicable duties and taxes, including value-added taxes in more than 71 countries. The ATA Carnet eliminates the need to purchase temporary import bonds. So long as the goods are re-exported within the allotted time frame, no duties or taxes are due. Failure to re-export all goods listed on the ATA Carnet results in the need to pay the applicable duties (as would be the case for items that are sold). The acronym ATA is a combination of French and English phrases “Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission.”

To learn about and obtain an ATA Carnet please visit the International Chamber of Commerce website.