A supplier's invoice price is only the starting point when comparing imported jewelry. The final cost depends on what enters the United States, its classification and origin, the rules in force at entry and the expenses required to make it ready for sale.
Loose diamonds, empty gold mountings and finished diamond jewelry should therefore be evaluated separately. A duty assumption that works for one shipment may be wrong for another.
What does U.S.-based manufacturing mean at Nivelle?
Nivelle's New York team handles setting, finishing and repair on select pieces, while diamonds and mountings are sourced through our international manufacturing network. For established jewelry brands comparing manufacturing partners, that distinction helps clarify which operations occur domestically and which import costs remain part of the supply chain.
Loose diamonds: define the goods precisely
A diamond shipment needs more detail than the word "diamonds." Natural or laboratory-grown, rough or polished, and mounted or unmounted are meaningful distinctions for an import review.
CBP's general guidance distinguishes loose gemstones from mounted jewelry, but a general description of a base duty does not establish the complete current treatment of a particular entry. Have your broker check the applicable tariff lines, additional duties, exclusions and origin documentation for the actual goods.
Keep sourcing and traceability records with the shipment documents. A supplier's location alone is not a complete explanation of a stone's origin or import eligibility.
Apply for a Wholesale Account
For established jewelry brands and online retailers.
Gold mountings: document the component
For an empty mounting, provide the broker with photographs, metal composition, manufacturing details and a precise description of its condition when imported.
If the mounting comes from South Korea, ask whether it qualifies for any claimed preferential treatment and what documentation supports that conclusion. Do not assume that a shipment from Korea automatically qualifies, or that preferential treatment resolves every additional-duty question.
The mounting's landed cost is also only one part of the finished piece. Add diamonds, setting, finishing, quality control and other applicable costs before comparing it with a completed item offered by another supplier.
Finished jewelry: assess the complete article
A finished necklace or bracelet requires its own classification and origin analysis. Do not simply carry over the duty treatment used for its loose stones or empty setting.
Give the broker the manufacturing sequence, especially when components and labor involve multiple countries. CBP's importer guidance recommends supplying details about origin, composition, intended use and pricing; where necessary, a written ruling can clarify treatment.
U.S.-based setting or repair services can offer operational advantages, but they should not be described as eliminating import costs already incurred on components.
Compare a complete landed-cost worksheet
For each sourcing route, record:
- Supplier price and agreed specifications.
- Freight, insurance, brokerage and assessed duties.
- Remaining manufacturing, setting and inspection costs.
- Payment timing and financing requirements.
- Expected delivery date, service arrangements and rework exposure.
Keep forecast allowances separate from confirmed charges. Ask who is responsible for import entry and which costs are included in the quoted price. Our guide to wholesale pricing and gold costs covers the metal side of the same worksheet.
For a time-sensitive order, a higher-priced domestic-stock item may be commercially preferable if it reduces uncertainty and arrives when needed. That is a delivery and cash-flow decision to assess alongside price.
Ask for a written basis
Before committing, request the classification, relevant additional-duty lines, claimed exclusions or preferences, origin basis and entry-date assumptions. Recheck them when the product, sourcing route or rules change.
This guide explains the comparison process; it does not quote a shipment-specific tariff rate. Current rates and eligibility should be confirmed with your customs broker using the official schedule.
How to apply
Evaluating a manufacturing and wholesale partner for your established jewelry brand? Complete Nivelle's wholesale application and tell us about your product categories, sourcing requirements and expected order volume.
Apply for a Wholesale Account
For established jewelry brands and online retailers.
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