Tariffs Update: What April 2025’s Policy Shifts Mean for Jewelry Brands Selling into the U.S.
Tariffs Update: What April 2025’s Policy Shifts Mean for Everyone Selling into the U.S.
Last updated 21 April 2025
Navigating the ever-shifting U.S. tariff landscape can feel like steering through fog: rules change overnight, landed costs spike without warning, and even seasoned importers are left second-guessing their margins. Our latest blog post breaks down April 2025’s sweeping tariff actions—especially the new 10 % “reciprocal” surcharge and the looming snap-back of country-specific rates—and translates legal jargon into clear, actionable steps. Whether you’re a jewelry brand finishing pieces in Thailand or a U.S. retailer juggling multiple supply chains, you’ll see why these policies inject real anxiety and unpredictability into pricing, production schedules, and customer commitments—and what you can do now to keep control of your bottom line.
1. Snapshot of the New Rules
| Item | Key Detail | In-force date | Likely next review |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baseline “reciprocal” tariff | 10 % added on all imports, on top of normal MFN duties | 9 April 2025 | 9 July 2025 (end of 90-day pause) ([Tariffs: What We Know Right Now |
| Country-specific surcharges | Suspended for 90 days except China | 9 April 2025 | 9 July 2025 ([Trump 2.0 tariff tracker |
| China-only rate | 145 % ad-valorem (effectively 245 % when pre-existing duties are included) | 2 April 2025 | No sunset announced ([China downplays impact of Trump tariffs on economic recovery |
| Section 301: maritime/logistics | USTR considering additional duties on Chinese shipbuilding & logistics inputs | Comment period closes 8 May 2025 | Hearings start June 2025 (USTR Section 301 Action on China's Targeting of the Maritime ...) |
| 25 % “secondary” tariff threat | Applies to any country continuing to buy Venezuelan crude | Earliest 2 April 2025 (discretionary) | Rolling 12-month look-back ([Trump 2.0 tariff tracker |
Good news for Thai jewelry exporters: Thailand’s headline 37 % surcharge is paused until 9 July 2025. For the next 10 weeks, Thai goods only face the 10 % baseline plus regular customs duties. (Tariffs: What We Know Right Now | National Jeweler)
2. How This Shifts Your Landed Cost
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Jewelry & Gem Imports
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Silver jewelry (HTS 7113.11/19) normally pays 5.5 % duty.
New landed duty through 9 July: 15.5 % (5.5 % + 10 %).
If the 37 % Thai tariff snaps back: 42.5 %. -
Loose diamonds/gems remain duty-free but the 10 % baseline applies to finished pieces.
Watch your “substantial transformation” step; the country of casting dictates origin. (Tariffs: What We Know Right Now | National Jeweler)
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Indirect China Exposure
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If any component processed in China drives origin, tariffs jump to 145 %.
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Mixed-country supply chains must document transformation rigorously to prevent mis-classification penalties.
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Logistics & Surcharges
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Freight quotes for July-Sept deliveries are already building a 3-5 % “tariff risk premium,” particularly on West-Coast routes handling China trans-shipment cargo. (Freight forwarder spot-rate data, week of 22 April.)
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3. Market Impact You Should Budget For
| Cost Driver | Short-Term (next 90 days) | Medium-Term (Q3 2025+) |
|---|---|---|
| Wholesale prices | 3–8 % upward revisions as vendors bake in the baseline | Could spike another 20 – 30 % if country-surcharges resume |
| Inventory levels | U.S. retailers front-loading orders before 9 July | Risk of demand dip in Q3 if consumers balk at higher shelf prices |
| Consumer sentiment | Still stable; unemployment & CPI remain low, giving retailers room to test higher ticket prices (Trump is softening his tariff talk. But the damage may already be done.) | Analysts warn lagged inflation could cut discretionary spend heading into holiday 2025 |
4. Five Moves Smart Sellers Are Making Now
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Price two ways.
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Run the numbers with today’s costs.
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Run them again assuming the extra surcharges come back on 9 July.
→ You’ll be ready to quote either way.
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Double-check your product codes.
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Review every HTS code down to the sub-heading.
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Wrong codes are getting hit with big Customs fines this spring.
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Use the $800 “duty-free” rule when you can.
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Ship direct-to-consumer orders under US $800 (Section 321).
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No tariffs, perfect for high-margin custom pieces.
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Finish goods outside the high-tariff zones.
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Do the last steps—casting or assembly—in Thailand, Vietnam, or the U.S.
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Changes the country of origin without huge new investment.
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Talk to your U.S. retailers early.
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Show them how your costs might rise.
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Suggest gradual price bumps or joint promos so sales stay strong.
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5. Action Checklist for Loytee Customers
| ✔ | Task | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| □ | Update POs or request re-quotes reflecting the 10 % baseline | Before placing May/June orders |
| □ | File advance ruling requests if your product’s origin is ambiguous | 30 days before July shipments |
| □ | Build at least 30 days extra stock in U.S. 3PL ahead of 9 July | Receive by 30 June 2025 |
| □ | Join industry advocacy (e.g., Jewelers of America) to push for extended pause | Ongoing |
6. Bottom Line
The tariff environment is fluid, but for most non-China jewelry sellers the immediate hit is a straight 10 % surcharge through early July. Use the breathing room to tune your supply chain, lock in margins, and keep customers informed. If country-specific rates snap back, those who planned multiple cost scenarios will move fastest—and keep their shelves, and online carts, full.
Conclusion
If the new tariffs have you re-running cost sheets or losing sleep over supply-chain timelines, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to tackle the uncertainty by yourself. Loytee’s trade-compliance and sourcing team is tracking every policy twist in real time and modeling the impact on the jewelry industry.
If you're looking to move your production to Thailand and have questions on our OEM or ODM jewelry process, get in touch with our team by visiting our Contact Page today.
