Field report · 257
Travel with stones: customs, packaging, insurance
Practical advice for moving gemstones across borders — both for collectors and trade.
If you've ever bought stones internationally — whether at the Tucson show or a trip to Bangkok — you've thought about how to get them home safely and legally. Here's the practical guide.
What's legal to bring into the US
US Customs treats personal-quantity gemstones as personal goods, not commercial imports. The threshold is typically about $800 in value before you owe duty on declared imports for personal use.
- Loose stones — generally legal, declare at customs if over duty-free thresholds
- Mounted jewelry — declare; subject to personal-effects rules
- Rough stones — legal but may require additional documentation if the source country requires export permits (most don't for personal quantities)
Stones with extra paperwork
- Burmese ruby, jade — US restrictions apply (see article on Burmese ruby). Personal possession typically legal; commercial import restricted.
- Endangered-source materials — coral (some species), ivory (often illegal), tortoiseshell (illegal) — never import without research
- Cultural artifacts — antique jewelry with historical-cultural significance can be restricted; obtain export permit from origin country
Packaging for travel
For trips back from a show:
- Carry-on, not checked — never check loose stones. TSA permits stones in carry-on
- Individual wrapping — each stone in a paper or fabric envelope, then in a small cushioned box
- Hard-sided case — for the box collection; pelican-style or wooden gem case
- Inventory — written list of stones with values; keep with your travel documents, not with the stones
TSA and airport security
- Stones don't trigger sniffers or metal detectors
- Loupes, tweezers, and small tools are usually fine in carry-on but check current TSA rules
- Receipts in a separate document; security may ask about high-value purchases
- For very high value (over $10,000 USD in stones), declare to customs on arrival; required by FinCEN regulations
Shipping vs carrying
- FedEx International Priority — common for high-value shipments. Requires insurance, customs forms, and tracking. Reliable but expensive.
- Brink's, Malca-Amit — specialty jewelry/precious-cargo couriers used by trade. Premium pricing, premium security.
- Personal carry — often the fastest and cheapest for trade buyers with sufficient travel experience and documentation
Insurance
Three options:
- Personal jewelry insurance policy — riders on homeowner's/renter's. Often capped at $1,000-5,000 per piece. Required for any high-value collection.
- Trade insurance — Jewelers Mutual or similar — covers stock in transit and at shows
- Shipping insurance — most carriers offer up to $50,000 declared value coverage. Premium increases with value.
For collectors: contact your homeowner's or renter's insurance to add a scheduled-items rider for stones above $1,000 individual value. Provide appraisals (typically required every 3-5 years). Document with photos and receipts.