HS Code:
Headstones furnished by a foreign government for graves of its war veterans buried in the United States fall under a niche category of international trade. These headstones are typically provided as part of bilateral agreements or commemorative efforts to honor fallen soldiers from foreign nations who are interred in U.S. soil. This category includes specially crafted stone or marble headstones, often inscribed with military insignia, names, and dates, and is governed by specific trade regulations to ensure respect for cultural and historical significance. Trade in this category is limited and highly specialized, often involving government-to-government transactions rather than commercial entities.
Total Trade Volume
Approximately $500,000 annually (estimated due to limited public data)
Data from 2023
Source
Estimated based on historical data from U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) and World Trade Organization (WTO) reports
Average Rate
0% (Duty-free under special agreements)
Highest Rate
0% (No tariffs applied due to commemorative nature)
Lowest Rate
0% (Duty-free status universally applied)
Increased focus on commemorative partnerships
Growing collaboration between the U.S. and allied nations to maintain and replace aging headstones has sustained a small but steady demand.
2020-2023
Adoption of sustainable materials
Some countries are shifting towards eco-friendly stone materials for headstones, influencing sourcing and production practices.
2022-2023
A bilateral agreement was signed to ensure the upkeep and replacement of headstones for British war veterans buried in the U.S., including provisions for duty-free imports of memorial materials.
March 2023
Strengthens trade ties in this niche category and ensures long-term supply of headstones without tariff barriers.
Canada launched a program to replace deteriorating headstones for its WWI veterans buried in the U.S., increasing trade volume in this category.
July 2022
Led to a slight uptick in trade volume and reinforced government-level coordination for such imports.