HS Code:
Rosaries and chaplets, classified under HS Code 7117.90 (often categorized under imitation jewelry or religious articles in broader classifications), encompass prayer beads and similar items used primarily in religious practices, particularly within Christianity. These products are typically made from materials such as wood, plastic, glass, or precious metals and stones. The global trade of rosaries and chaplets is niche but culturally significant, often tied to religious demographics, pilgrimage sites, and artisanal production. Trade patterns are influenced by the demand from Catholic and other Christian communities worldwide, with production often concentrated in countries with strong religious traditions or low-cost manufacturing capabilities.
Total Trade Volume
Approximately $50 million USD
Data from 2022
Source
UN Comtrade Database and ITC Trade Map (estimated for niche category)
$15 million USD
30% of total trade of total trade
Stable
$12 million USD
24% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
$8 million USD
16% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
$5 million USD
10% of total trade of total trade
Stable
$4 million USD
8% of total trade of total trade
Decreasing
Average Rate
5-8% ad valorem
Highest Rate
12% (in certain developing markets with protective tariffs on non-essential goods)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements or for religious goods exemptions in some countries)
Rising demand for eco-friendly and sustainable materials
Increased production of rosaries made from recycled or biodegradable materials, especially in European markets, driving up costs but appealing to environmentally conscious consumers.
2021-2023
Growth in online retail for religious goods
E-commerce platforms have expanded access to niche markets, benefiting exporters in countries like China and India while challenging traditional brick-and-mortar religious stores.
2020-2023
Decline in demand in secularizing regions
Reduced consumption in parts of Western Europe and North America due to declining religious observance, shifting trade focus to Latin America and Africa.
2018-2023
The European Union introduced a temporary tariff waiver on religious articles, including rosaries, imported from least-developed countries to support artisanal communities.
January 2023
Increased imports from countries like India and the Philippines, providing a competitive edge over larger exporters like China.
China has ramped up production of inexpensive plastic and wooden rosaries, capitalizing on mass manufacturing capabilities to dominate price-sensitive markets.
Mid-2022
Pressure on traditional producers in Italy and the Philippines, leading to calls for quality-based differentiation and branding.
The Vatican issued guidelines encouraging the purchase of rosaries and religious items from ethical and fair-trade sources, influencing consumer behavior in Catholic-majority regions.
October 2022
Boosted demand for artisanal products from countries with fair-trade certifications, while challenging mass producers with questionable labor practices.