Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2026
Trump to Put 50% Tariff on Canadian Goods Policies & IssuesJul 24, 2026
New Trump Tariffs: What They Mean for Jewelry
The new sweeping slate of tariffs impacts 60 countries, including India, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.
The U.S. Trade Representative announced a new sweeping slate of tariffs on 60 countries Thursday night with rates ranging from 10 percent to 12.5 percent. Key exemptions for the jewelry industry include precious metals as well as diamonds imported from the European Union.
Washington, D.C.—A new set of tariffs went into effect at midnight today on imports from 60 countries the Trump administration said did not do enough to curb the presence of “forced labor” in their supply chains.
The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced the new tariffs Thursday night, just as the temporary 10 percent across-the-board tariffs imposed in February were set to expire.
According to a trade alert from the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, rates range from 10 percent to 12.5 percent and exclude precious metals (in raw or semi-manufactured form) and, for some countries, loose natural diamonds and colored gemstones, and natural pearls.
Lab-grown diamonds are not on the exemption list.
Countries whose imports will be taxed at 10 percent include the following: Canada (excluding goods that are duty-free under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA), India, Mexico (excluding USMCA goods), Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the United Kingdom.
While diamonds technically are exempt from the 10 percent tariff under USMCA, President Donald Trump announced earlier this week that beginning in mid-August, a wide range of Canadian imports, including loose polished diamonds, will be hit with a 50 percent tariff because of what he views as the country’s unfair trade practices.
Goods from the European Union and Taiwan will be taxed at a minimum of 10 percent; the import tax on products with an existing most-favored-nation (MFN) tariff will be higher, with the new 10 percent tariff stacking on top of the MFN tariff.
According to JVC, countries whose imports will taxed at 12.5 percent include the following: Angola, Australia, China, Colombia, Hong Kong, Israel, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam.
Goods from Switzerland, Japan, and South Korea will be taxed at a minimum of 12.5 percent; the import tax on products with a most-favored-nation (MFN) tariff will be higher, with the new 12.5 percent tariff stacking on top of the existing MFN tariff.
Brazil is also on the 12.5 percent tariff list, which will be added onto the 25 percent tariff announced earlier this week, for a total rate of 37.5 percent.
Rough gemstones imported from Brazil are exempt.
The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced the new tariffs Thursday night, just as the temporary 10 percent across-the-board tariffs imposed in February were set to expire.
According to a trade alert from the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, rates range from 10 percent to 12.5 percent and exclude precious metals (in raw or semi-manufactured form) and, for some countries, loose natural diamonds and colored gemstones, and natural pearls.
Lab-grown diamonds are not on the exemption list.
Countries whose imports will be taxed at 10 percent include the following: Canada (excluding goods that are duty-free under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA), India, Mexico (excluding USMCA goods), Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the United Kingdom.
While diamonds technically are exempt from the 10 percent tariff under USMCA, President Donald Trump announced earlier this week that beginning in mid-August, a wide range of Canadian imports, including loose polished diamonds, will be hit with a 50 percent tariff because of what he views as the country’s unfair trade practices.
Goods from the European Union and Taiwan will be taxed at a minimum of 10 percent; the import tax on products with an existing most-favored-nation (MFN) tariff will be higher, with the new 10 percent tariff stacking on top of the MFN tariff.
According to JVC, countries whose imports will taxed at 12.5 percent include the following: Angola, Australia, China, Colombia, Hong Kong, Israel, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam.
Goods from Switzerland, Japan, and South Korea will be taxed at a minimum of 12.5 percent; the import tax on products with a most-favored-nation (MFN) tariff will be higher, with the new 12.5 percent tariff stacking on top of the existing MFN tariff.
Brazil is also on the 12.5 percent tariff list, which will be added onto the 25 percent tariff announced earlier this week, for a total rate of 37.5 percent.
Rough gemstones imported from Brazil are exempt.
Under the new tariff structure, rough diamonds and loose polished diamonds imported from the European Union are exempt, as are rough and polished loose colored gemstones and natural pearls that are either loose or “temporarily strung for convenience of transport.”
In a statement circulated Friday, the Antwerp World Diamond Centre called the exemption “significant news” for the city.
AWDC and the European Commission successfully lobbied for an exemption for diamonds last fall, but that exemption was undone in February when the Supreme Court ruled that Trump’s IEEPA tariffs were illegal and the administration responded by enacting new tariffs.
“The restored zero percent exemption once again makes it more attractive to have natural diamonds cut in Europe,” AWDC CEO Karen Rentmeesters said in a press release.
“Antwerp has a unique combination of specialized know-how, high-tech cutting capacity, and access to an international network of diamond companies.”
In addition to the EU, the countries granted an exemption for loose natural diamonds, gemstones, and pearls are: Argentina, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Indonesia, Jordan, Switzerland, and Taiwan.
There is also a long list of exemptions for silver, gold, platinum, and palladium imported from all 60 countries.
A full list of exempt products organized by their 10-digit HTS numbers is available here.
The new tariffs are the result of USTR’s investigation into “forced labor” practices in 60 countries that began immediately after the Supreme Court shot down the IEEPA tariffs.
This new round of tariffs is being enacted under section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.
As JVC noted in its alert, the expiration of the temporary 10 percent tariffs means that the rate falls to zero percent for countries not involved in the forced labor investigation.
They include the following: Afghanistan, Botswana, Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique, Myanmar (Burma), Namibia, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
USTR is conducting another section 301 investigation into alleged “overproduction” of certain goods that could result in additional tariffs on 16 countries, including India, China, Thailand, the EU, and Switzerland.
For the latest tariff rates, visit JVC’s Tariff Tracker.
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
CrimeSep 02, 2026
CA Jeweler Gets 5 Years in ‘Phantom Rolex’ Ponzi SchemeNelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.
AuctionsSep 02, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.
MajorsSep 02, 2026
Messika Names Former Omega Exec as New President, CEO of AmericasArnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
Events & AwardsSep 02, 2026
Emerald’s New Owner Introduces ‘Glitter in the Grove’The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.
Weekly QuizAug 27, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsSep 01, 2026
UK Woman Uncovers Rare Patek Philippe Watch in Mom’s Jewelry BoxThe stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.
ColumnistsSep 01, 2026
Your Jewelry Marketing Has a Bridal ProblemEngagement rings are important but don’t ignore the customers who are buying jewelry “just because,” Emmanuel Raheb writes.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Kering Names New Pomellato, DoDo CEOsFormer Pomellato CEO Sabina Belli has been named president of Kering Italia amid a shakeup of Kering's new Jewelry division.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Anne Marie Shulman Joins GPA GlobalThe veteran luxury packaging executive was appointed to help the company grow its North American business.
CrimeAug 31, 2026
$4M Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Necklace Snatched From Vienna Museum Once the property of an Egyptian queen, the necklace was part of a larger exhibition of VCA jewelry at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK).
GradingAug 31, 2026
GIA, Gübelin Gem Lab Confirm New Paraíba Tourmaline Deposit in EthiopiaThe labs’ separate investigations each determined that the East African country is producing copper-bearing tourmaline.
Events & AwardsAug 31, 2026
Wisconsin Museum to Host Jewelry Exhibition“Chicago Collects: Jewelry in Perspective” at the Oshkosh Public Museum will feature works by Fabergé, Lalique, and Louis Comfort Tiffany.
CollectionsAug 31, 2026
Catbird Launches First Men’s Jewelry CollectionThe “Worn Well” collection is Catbird's take on classic men's jewelry.
CollectionsAug 28, 2026
Dolly Parton Would Have Loved This Butterfly Necklace This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.
SourcingAug 28, 2026
Gareth Penny to Give Opening Speech at CIBJO Centenary CongressThe former De Beers CEO, and perhaps its next owner, will be a featured speaker at the event, slated for Sept. 4-7 in Italy.
IndependentsAug 28, 2026
Day’s Jewelers Honored With 3 Workplace AwardsThe employee-owned jeweler was named a “Best Place to Work” in Maine, New Hampshire, and for women.
CollectionsAug 27, 2026
Pandora Expands ‘Talisman’ Collection as Lawsuit Continues The second iteration of the jewelry collection was inspired by the zodiac and the four elements: earth, water, air and fire.
SourcingAug 27, 2026
OFAC Renews License Allowing Import of ‘Grandfathered’ Russian Diamonds General License 104B supersedes General License 104A, which was set to expire on Sept. 1.
CrimeAug 27, 2026
Customs Seizes Nearly 900 Pieces of Counterfeit JewelryThe package, intercepted in Indianapolis, contained fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef and Arpels jewelry.
IndependentsAug 27, 2026
Jessica McCormack to Open First West Coast StoreThe new location in Costa Mesa, California, marks the brand’s second store in the United States and fourth standalone location worldwide.
FinancialsAug 27, 2026
Movado’s Q2 Sales Up As Younger Consumers Take Interest in WatchesThe fashion watch category was once threatened by the Apple Watch, but consumers are now opting for new wearables, said Movado’s CEO.
SurveysAug 26, 2026
5 Jewelry Insights From The RealReal’s Resale ReportThe report delves into trending styles, the most popular jewelry brands by city, and why Belle Époque jewelry could be the next big thing.
Lab-GrownAug 26, 2026
AGTA Now Requiring Members to Call Lab-Grown Gems ‘Synthetic’The association added the requirement to its revised "Code of Ethics" and released the 17th edition of its “Gemstone Information Manual.”
SurveysAug 26, 2026
Consumer Confidence Dips in August Amid Anticipatory Anxieties Respondents were concerned about the future of the labor market and their income as well as the rising prices of gas and groceries.
TrendsAug 26, 2026
Boucheron’s New Campaign Celebrates Its ‘Question Mark’ NecklacesThe campaign highlights the asymmetrical high jewelry necklace style that the jeweler first created in 1879.
Events & AwardsAug 26, 2026
Harry Winston Exhibition to Open in ShanghaiIt will explore the life of “The King of Diamonds” and showcase more than 165 creations from the brand.
