India
USA trade laneIndia is one of the world's great jewelry workshops: Jaipur's colored gemstones, Surat's diamond cutting, Mumbai's gold and silver manufacturing. US jewelry brands, wholesalers, and designers import finished jewelry, loose stones, and findings — cargo measured in grams and insured in thousands.
Jewelry logistics is its own discipline: secure air freight, valuation-accurate documentation, insurance structured to actual values, and the compliance overlays (Kimberley Process for diamonds) that govern the trade. AGF handles it with the confidentiality and chain-of-custody the category demands.
How Jewelry & Gems Ships from India to USA
Jewelry flies — ocean has no role in this category. Shipments move as secure air freight with documented chain of custody, tamper-evident packing, and insurance bound before departure. Mumbai and Delhi are the standard gateways; transit runs 2–5 days door to door.
Valuation discipline is the compliance core: undervaluing high-value goods is the classic (and catastrophic) error. Declared values, invoices, and insurance must tell one consistent story.
- Secure air freight only — with chain-of-custody documentation
- All-risk insurance bound to full value before wheels up
- Consistent valuation across invoice, entry, and policy
- Discreet packaging; no cargo descriptions that advertise contents
What Drives the Cost
- Insurance premium against declared value — often the largest cost line
- Duty rates by product type (commonly ~5–7% for much finished jewelry)
- Secure handling fees at each transfer point
- Shipment frequency vs value-per-shipment risk balance
HS Codes and Duty Notes
Classification guidance only — duty rates change and depend on your exact product. Our licensed customs brokers verify every code before you commit to an order.
| HS Code | Products | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 7113 | Finished jewelry of precious metal | Rates commonly in the 5–7% band by article and metal; precise line matters at these values. |
| 7103 / 7102 | Colored gemstones / diamonds | Loose stones enter mostly free or at low rates; diamonds carry Kimberley Process requirements. |
| 7117 | Imitation jewelry | Fashion jewelry classifies separately at different rates — mixed shipments must split lines correctly. |
Regulations and Compliance
Kimberley Process (diamonds)
Rough diamonds require Kimberley Process certification; polished-diamond trade documentation flows from the same regime. Established Indian exporters manage this routinely — the paperwork must simply be present and consistent.
Precious metal marking
US marking rules (fineness stamps, trademark requirements under the National Gold and Silver Stamping Act) apply to what you sell — align manufacturing marks with US requirements at ordering.
AML awareness
High-value trades sit under anti-money-laundering scrutiny; clean banking channels and consistent documentation are part of professional operation in this category.
Door-to-Door Import Service
Secure pickup from manufacturers in Jaipur, Mumbai, or Surat, export formalities, insured air freight, US customs entry at accurate valuations, and secure final delivery — one accountable chain of custody.
For recurring buyers, scheduled consolidation of multiple artisan suppliers into single insured shipments cuts per-shipment overhead without concentrating unacceptable risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is jewelry shipped safely from India?
What duty applies to jewelry from India?
Do small high-value shipments make sense to ship often?
Jewelry & Gems is just one example. AGF ships whatever your business moves — on this lane and beyond. If your commodity isn't covered by one of our guides, tell us what you ship and we'll build the logistics around it.
Brandy, Wine & Foods from Armenia