If you collect or sell minerals, fossils, insect collections, or dried plant specimens and you send them to the United States, this guide is for you.
In the last year, many collectors and dealers have seen unexpected customs charges or duty fees on parcels going into the USA. The good news is that for genuine collectors’ specimens, there is a correct customs code you can use that normally means no import duty is charged in the US.
We’ll walk you through this in very simple steps, so even if you hate paperwork, you can still get it right.
This guide explains the basic idea. It is not legal or tax advice, and rules can change. For rare species, CITES material, or very expensive items, always double-check with your customs broker or courier.
The “Magic Number” for Collectors’ Specimens
Every country uses number codes to describe what is inside a parcel. These are called HS codes (Harmonized System codes). The USA uses its own version, called the US HTS (HTSUS).
For collectors’ pieces like minerals, fossils, insect collections and certain plant specimens, the important code is:
HTSUS 9705.29.00.00
“Collections and collectors’ pieces of zoological, botanical, mineralogical, anatomical or paleontological interest – Other”
In normal language, this means:
“A box of specimens for a collection or for study, not jewellery, not industrial material.”
When a parcel is correctly declared under this code, the base US import duty rate is “Free” (zero) in the official tariff table.
That is why this code is so important for our community.
What This Code Does and Does Not Cover
Things that usually fit this code
If they are genuine collectors’ or study pieces:
- Mineral specimens in boxes, on stands, in flats or display cases
- Fossil specimens (ammonites, trilobites, etc.)
- Pinned insect collections in drawers or frames (non-protected species)
- Herbarium sheets / dried plant specimens for study
- Non-human anatomical specimens used for teaching and research
These are exactly the types of things described in the official wording of 9705.29.00.00.
Things that do not belong here
These are usually different chapters of the customs tariff and different rules:
- Jewellery (rings, necklaces, earrings with stones)
- Cut gemstones sold as jewellery stones
- Bulk rock or ore sold as raw material for industry
- Cheap home décor where the mineral is just glued on as decoration
In short:
- A single aesthetic fluorite specimen in a box → 9705.29.00.00 is usually correct.
- A silver ring with an amethyst → not 9705, this is jewellery.
One Important Warning: Parcels from China
For most countries, using HTSUS 9705.29.00.00 means no normal import duty in the US.
However, for goods that are made in or come from China, the USA has extra trade measures (called Section 301 tariffs) that can add an extra percentage duty on top of the normal rate, even when the base rate is “Free”.
So:
- Specimens from most countries (e.g. Germany, United Kingdom, Morocco, etc.) → 9705.29.00.00 usually means no import duty on the specimens themselves.
- Specimens whose origin is China → 9705.29.00.00 is still the correct classification, but extra “China” duties may apply. Always ask your courier or customs broker about this.
Where to Put This Code
You don’t write the code on the mineral or on the box. You always use 9705.29.00.00 in the paperwork that goes with the parcel.
On the commercial invoice (DHL, UPS, FedEx, etc.), use:
- Description: Mineral collectors’ specimen for study – HTSUS 9705.29.00.00
- HS / HTS Code: 9705.29.00.00
In the courier’s online shipping form, use:
- Description of goods: Mineral collectors’ specimen for study – HTSUS 9705.29.00.00
- HS code / Tariff code / Commodity code: 9705.29.00.00
On postal customs forms (CN22 / CN23) with an “HS tariff number” box, use:
- HS tariff number: 9705.29.00.00
On postal customs forms (CN22 / CN23) without an HS box, use:
- Description: Mineral collectors’ specimen for study – HTSUS 9705.29.00.00
