A Brief Introduction to Coral Trade
What is Coral?
There are approximately 6,000 known coral species worldwide (NOAA, “What Are Corals?”.
Available at: https://www.coris.noaa.gov/about/what_are/), spanning both hard (stony, reef-building) and
soft corals (NOAA Coral Facts. Available at: https://coralreef.noaa.gov/education/coralfacts.html).
The commercial ones, known for their colors and hardness, are: Corallium rubrum (red coral) -
Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic regions, highly valued for jewelry. Corallium japonicum (Aka) - South
China Sea and Japan, used in fine jewelry. Pleurocorallium elatius (Momo/Boké) - South China Sea and
Japan. Pleurocorallium konojoi (Pure White) - South China Sea and Japan. Hemicorallium
sulcatum (Misu) - South China Sea and Japan. Pleurocorallium secundum (Rosato/White/Pink) - Pacific
Ocean, Hawaii. Hemicorallium regale (Garnet) - Hawaii and Midway waters. Hemicorallium
laauense (Deep Sea) - Midway waters. Black Corals (Antipatharia species) are also ommercialized for
jewelry, particularly Akabar and Antipatharia spiralis, though some are protected. Several Gorgonian
corals and sea fans, such as Eunicella species, are also exploited in Mediterranean regions (CIBJO. (2024)
Coral Book. Blue Book – Coral (November 2024 version), p. 25. Available at: https://cibjo.org/wp-
content/uploads/2024/11/November-2024-Coral-Blue-Book.pdf (Accessed: 31 October 2025)).
Importation of most coral species—including red coral—requires documentation under the
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) (https://cites.org/eng/disc/what.php).
A valid CITES export permit from the country of origin is mandatory, and the importer must declare the
shipment to U.S. authorities using the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) Form 3-177.
Proposals to list the genus Corallium (including red coral) under CITES were made. It was a U.S.
proposal at the 14 th Conference of the Parties (CITES) in 2007 to include all Corallium species in CITES,
Appendix II due to threats from harvest and international trade. However, the proposal was adopted
initially and then overturned mainly because of insufficient scientific data showing a population decline
sufficient to justify the listing (Bruckner, A.W. (2009) 'Rate and extent of decline in Corallium (pink and
red coral) populations: existing data meet the requirements for a CITES Appendix II listing', Marine
Ecology Progress Series, 397, pp. 319–332. doi: 10.3354/meps08110). A subsequent proposal in 2010 at
the 15 th Conference of the Parties (CITES) to list the family Coralliidae (including red coral) was also
rejected (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, available at https://www.fws.gov/press-release/2010-
03/international-community-does-not-adopt-proposal-protect-rare-red-and-pink). Therefore, as of those
dates, Corallium species were not included in CITES Appendices, and international trade controls under
CITES (such as wildlife trade permits) do not apply to these corals.
From a trade classification standpoint, raw or unworked red coral is identified under HTS code
0508.00.00 (United States International Trade Commission (n.d.) Harmonized Tariff Schedule. Available
at: https://hts.usitc.gov/search?query=0511.99.33.00 (Accessed: 31 October 2025)). For worked coral or
jewelry articles, Chapter 96 of the HTS applies (United States International Trade Commission (n.d.)
Harmonized Tariff Schedule. Available at: https://hts.usitc.gov/search?query=9619.00.1100 (Accessed: 31
October 2025)), while jewelry made with coral and precious metals may fall under Chapter 71 (United
States International Trade Commission (n.d.) Harmonized Tariff Schedule — 7113.19. Available at:
Harmonized Tariff Schedule (Accessed: 31 October 2025)).
At the port of entry, the importer of record must:
Provide US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) with a commercial invoice, packing list, and
proof of origin for the shipment.
File a customs entry, typically using Forms 3461 (Entry/Immediate Delivery) and 7501 (Entry
Summary), often through a licensed customs broker.
Declare and pay any applicable duties and taxes based on the declared value of the goods (CBP
Declaration Form 6059B)
Cooperate with CBP inspections, which may be required for shipments containing coral or other
wildlife materials.
Comply with special requirements for wildlife products (like corals), which include declaring
agricultural or wildlife items and responding to inspection requests
Temporary Imports for Exhibitions or Trade Fairs. It is possible to bring coral in the U.S.
temporarily (e.g. for shows, exhibitions, trade fair. etc.). It can be done in two ways: applying for
a temporary import under bond (TIB) or using an ATA Carnet. Both systems allows to enter
goods the U.S. duty-free, provided that they are not sold and exported within a short period of
time.
o Temporary Importation Under Bond – TIB
The TIB (CBP, “Temporary Importation Under Bond”), is a U.S. Customs and Boarder Protection
procedure that allows certain goods to enter the country duty-free, as long as they are exported (or
destroyed) (U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), 2025. Temporary Importation Under Bond
(TIB). Available at: https://www.cbp.gov/trade/programs-administration/entry-summary-and-post-
release-processes/temporary-importation-under-bond (Accessed 31 October 2025)). Initially, goods may
remain in the U.S. for up to one year from the date of importation, which may be extended for not more
than two further periods of one year each, for a maximum total period not to exceed three years from the
date of importation (19 CFR 10.37). Eligible goods listed under sub subheadings are: 9813.00.05 –
9813.00.75 of the HTSUS - 9813.00.25 → Articles intended solely for exhibition or demonstration;
9813.00.75 → Professional equipment, tools of trade, and similar articles. The bond amount is usually
twice the estimated duties and taxes for the goods (National Institutes of Health, 26101-41-F- Temporary
Import Bonds). For FDA purposes, articles entered using a TIB entry type are considered "imported or
offered for import" when they arrive; therefore they are subject to an FDA admissibility review when
they arrive (U.S. Food & Drug Administration. (2024) Common entry types [online]. Available at:
https://www.fda.gov/industry/import-basics/common-entry-types (Accessed: 31 October 2025)). If the
articles are a commercial traveler's samples and exceed $500 in value, a special Customs invoice or a
descriptive list shall be furnished (19 CFR 10.36 (a)).
If goods are not re-exported or destroyed within the timeframe, the Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures
Officer shall make a demand in writing under the bond for the payment of liquidated damages equal to
double the estimated duties applicable to such entry (19 CFR 10.39 (d)(1)).
o ATA Carnet
The ATA Carnet (U.S. Department of Commerce, “ATA Carnet”) is an international customs document
recognized by both the EU and the U.S., among over 80 participating countries (International Trade
Administration. (n.d.) ATA Carnet. Available at: https://www.trade.gov/ata-carnet (Accessed: 31 October
2025)). It acts like a “passport for goods.” It simplifies temporary imports and exports: instead of paying
duties or filing a TIB bond, you present the carnet at customs on both sides.
Disclaimer: This blog is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal
advice. For specific guidance on import regulations or related compliance matters, please contact Melchionna PLLC