Last reviewed: October 2026.

Shipping antique furniture and works of art internationally, particularly those over 100 years old, requires careful attention to customs regulations and proper documentation. download the pdf

🇺🇸 U.S. Import Duties on Antiques — Updated October 2026

For customers importing genuine antiques into the United States, the position remains favourable: antiques more than 100 years old are generally duty-free when correctly classified under Chapter 97 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS).

U.S. Customs and Border Protection defines an antique, for these purposes, as an article over 100 years old at the time of importation. CBP also makes clear that the importer should be able to provide evidence of the item's age.

Current HTS Classification

The current U.S. tariff schedule divides antiques exceeding 100 years of age into two principal categories:

• HTS 9706.10.00 — antiques exceeding 250 years of age

• HTS 9706.90.00 — other antiques exceeding 100 years of age

Both currently carry a Free general rate of duty. The schedule contains further statistical classifications for furniture, silverware and other objects.

This is an important change from older guidance referring simply to 9706.00.00.

What happened to the 2025 “Liberation Day” tariffs?

In April 2025, the U.S. introduced broad additional tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Those measures created considerable uncertainty for international shippers and importers.

That position has now changed substantially.

On 20 February 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump that IEEPA does not authorize the President to impose tariffs. The Administration subsequently issued Executive Order 14389 ending the additional tariffs that had been imposed under IEEPA.

A separate temporary 10% import surcharge was subsequently introduced under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. That measure was expressly limited to 150 days and ran from 24 February to 24 July 2026.

The New 2026 Section 301 Tariffs

In July 2026, the U.S. introduced a separate series of additional tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, relating to trading partners' treatment of goods produced using forced labour.

For many goods these tariffs are significant. For example, imports from the United Kingdom are generally subject to an additional 10% tariff under this regime unless an exemption applies.

Importantly for the antiques trade, however, Chapter 97 works of art, collectors' pieces and antiques — including qualifying antiques under HTS 9706 — are included within the exemptions from these additional Section 301 tariffs.

The exemption is implemented through HTS 9903.05.86 and U.S. Note 52(b). The Federal Register provides that qualifying goods entered under this exemption are subject only to the duty provided for in their normal HTS classification. As the normal duty on qualifying antiques under 9706 is Free, the additional Section 301 tariff does not apply.

Industry bodies representing the international antiques and collectors' market have also confirmed that Chapter 97 classifications, including 9701–9706, were included in this exemption.

In practical terms

For a genuine antique being exported from the United Kingdom to the United States:

Antique over 100 years old + correctly classified under HTS 9706 + appropriate supporting documentation = normally 0% U.S. customs duty.

This exemption is especially important because the underlying 2026 Section 301 tariff applying to many other British goods is currently 10%.

🌍 Antique Declaration and Proof of Age

Correct documentation remains extremely important.

CBP specifically states that antiques classified under Chapter 9706 are duty-free provided the importer has proof of the age of the goods, such as the year of manufacture.

We therefore recommend that shipments are accompanied by an Antique Declaration or equivalent supporting documentation clearly identifying:

• the object;

• the approximate date of manufacture, for example “England, circa 1820”;

• confirmation that the object is more than 100 years old;

• the relevant HTS classification;

• the commercial invoice number and Air Waybill or shipment reference;

• country of origin;

• details of any significant restoration where relevant; and

• the shipper's name and signature.

Where appropriate, the commercial invoice should also describe the object clearly as an antique and state the relevant Chapter 97 classification.

For qualifying shipments affected by the 2026 Section 301 regime, the customs broker may also need to use the appropriate Chapter 99 exemption code, currently 9903.05.86, alongside the normal product classification.

Download our Antique Declaration Form

What Does — and Does Not — Count as an Antique?

Being more than 100 years old does not automatically mean that every object should be entered under HTS 9706.

CBP notes that certain objects have their own classifications elsewhere in Chapter 97. These include, for example:

• original paintings, drawings and certain other works of art;

• engravings and prints;

• original sculpture;

• collectors' pieces;

• coins and numismatic material; and

• certain archaeological or historical objects.

These may still receive duty-free treatment, but the correct HTS classification may be 9701, 9702, 9703, 9705 or another relevant heading rather than 9706.

Correct classification is therefore more important than simply writing “antique” on the invoice.

🔧 Shipping Antiques to the United States

Specialist Fine-Art and Antique Shippers

For valuable, large, fragile or complicated objects, we generally recommend using a specialist shipper experienced in fine art and antiques.

Companies such as Gander & White, Cadogan Tate, The British Shop and specialist fine-art logistics firms can arrange packing, freight, insurance, customs brokerage and import documentation.

This can be particularly useful for:

• furniture;

• marble and stone objects;

• sculpture;

• mirrors;

• chandeliers and lighting;

• fragile works of art; and

• high-value collections.

DHL, FedEx, UPS and Other Carriers

Smaller antiques may also be sent through mainstream international carriers.

Where this route is used, the paperwork should be particularly clear. The commercial invoice should give a meaningful description rather than a generic term such as “furniture” or “decorative object”.

For example:

“English Regency mahogany occasional table, circa 1820, antique exceeding 100 years of age, HTSUS 9706.90.00.”

Supporting evidence of age and an Antique Declaration should travel with the shipment or be available electronically to the carrier or customs broker.

🛃 What to Expect at U.S. Customs

A correctly classified and documented antique under HTS 9706 should ordinarily enter the United States free of customs duty.

However, customs clearance is not entirely automatic.

CBP or the carrier's customs broker may ask for:

• evidence that the object is genuinely more than 100 years old;

• a clearer description;

• photographs;

• a dealer's invoice;

• provenance;

• confirmation of country of origin; or

• clarification of the applicable HTS code.

For commercial imports, CBP states that a formal entry is required for antiques imported for resale where the combined shipment value exceeds $2,500.

It is therefore important that the declared date and description on the invoice are accurate.

Cultural Property and Antiquities

Duty-free treatment does not override U.S. laws regulating cultural property.

Archaeological material, antiquities and certain culturally important objects may be subject to separate import restrictions, bilateral cultural-property agreements or requirements concerning lawful export from the country of origin.

CBP warns that stolen, smuggled or improperly declared cultural property can be detained, seized or forfeited regardless of its tariff treatment.

For archaeological material and culturally sensitive objects, specialist advice and provenance documentation are strongly recommended before shipment.

✅ Summary

Antiques more than 100 years old remain highly favourable for import into the United States.

The current general duty rate for qualifying antiques under HTS 9706 is Free.

The broad IEEPA tariffs introduced in 2025 are no longer in force, following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision of 20 February 2026.

Although new Section 301 tariffs introduced in July 2026 apply to many imported goods — including a general 10% rate for many goods from the United Kingdom — qualifying Chapter 97 antiques are exempt from those additional tariffs under the current tariff schedule.

For most customers purchasing a genuine antique from us, this means:

Over 100 years old + correct Chapter 97 classification + good documentation = normally no U.S. import duty.

We provide detailed commercial invoices and can supply supporting information concerning the age, origin and description of our antiques to assist your shipper or customs broker with clearance.

Disclaimer

The information on this page is provided for general guidance and was last reviewed in October 2026. U.S. tariff policy and customs classifications can change at short notice.

It does not constitute legal, tax, customs or shipping advice. Classification and liability for import duties ultimately depend on the particular object, its country of origin, its age and the circumstances of importation. For high-value or unusual shipments, we recommend confirming the current position with a licensed U.S. customs broker or specialist fine-art shipper before dispatch.

Pieces from our collection

Many of our pieces are well over 100 years old and are regularly shipped to clients in the United States. A selection of period furniture and works of art currently available:

• A George III Mahogany Silver Table
• George III Giltwood Pier Mirror
• George III Chinese Chippendale Rococo Giltwood Girandole Mirror
• Ottoman Iznik Plate, 18th century
• Regency Antique Furniture & Decorative Arts
• The Nicholas Wells Antiques Collection

For further details or a condition report on any piece, please get in touch.