Rough diamonds export
You need a certificate to export rough diamonds. If you try to import or export them outside of the Kimberley Process (KP) Certification Scheme, law enforcement could seize your merchandise. The KP regulates global trade in Rough Diamonds.
If you plan on international transport of your rough diamonds, you will need to obtain a KP certificate. Exchanges of rough diamonds after January 1st, 2021 - the UK's Independence Day - have new rules for those within Great Britain and the European Union. If you find yourself transporting rough diamonds between these two areas, know that you will need a UK KP certificate in hand before exporting them into an EU country. You can apply for this document by contacting the Government Diamond Office via their website (linked below).
You cannot import rough diamonds into Great Britain from the EU unless you have an EU-issued KP certificate, which must be obtained by the exporter from a relevant EU authority figure.
If you want to learn more about trading rough diamonds with the European Union, check out the latest Border Operating Model (BOM). The BOM will tell you all you need to know about the border and what new arrangements have been put in place.
As Northern Ireland is still under EU rules, the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme Regulation continues to apply there.
If you want to move rough diamonds between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, you will need a KP certificate. You can find more information on the customs procedures that need to be completed when moving rough diamonds between Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the guidance section. If you wish to trade rough diamonds with Northern Ireland or any other non-EU Kimberley Process participant, please get in touch with the Government Diamond Office first.
If you want to export rough diamonds from Northern Ireland to another Kimberley Process participant that is not in the EU, then you will need a KP certificate.
Conversely, if you plan on importing rough diamonds into Northern Ireland from another Kimberly process participant outside of the EU, the exporter will need to obtain a KP certificate.
You don't need a KP certificate to transport rough diamonds between Northern Ireland and the European Union.
The Kimberley Process is a global initiative made up of 56 members representing 82 countries, which together account for 99.8% of the world's rough diamond production. The aim of the KP is to prevent diamonds from being used to finance violence, as was seen in Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sierra Leone.
The requirements to join the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) are very strict so that members can be certain they are only conflict-free diamonds and, thus, keep illegitimate trade out. Joining member participants can only legally trade with others who have also met the scheme's mandatory requirements.