Update on the G7 Sanctions: Update Sanctions against Russian Diamonds on January 1, 2026
The G7 has updated its sanctions against Russia. Read all the updated info on our dedicated page on the update of the sanctions against Russian Diamonds on January 1.
Diamond Office
Diamond Office is truly the beating heart of Antwerp’s diamond district. Serving as the only customs office in Belgium authorized to import and export diamonds outside the EU, it is a much called-for service for all Antwerp diamond traders. Antwerp companies rely on Diamond Office’s services daily, whether importing and exporting for customers, sending and receiving goods from grading institutes, manufacturers, or for international trade fairs. Independent diamond experts working for the Belgian Federal Public Service Economy inspect imports and exports for Kimberley certificates to ensure that all diamonds entering Antwerp are conflict-free and ethically sourced.
Together with FPS Economy and FPS Finance (Customs), AWDC operates a rigorous triple-control system at Diamond Office, ensuring that every diamond shipment is physically inspected. This process makes Antwerp’s diamond trade the most closely monitored in the world and Diamond Office a key supporter of AWDC’s mission to maintain, defend, and strengthen Antwerp’s reputation as the most transparent and reliable diamond trading center globally.
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At Diamond Office (DO), a dedicated team of 35 professionals—including management, sworn experts, and administrative staff—works tirelessly every day to ensure the seamless import and export of tens of thousands of diamond shipments in Belgium. Their efforts guarantee a process that is transparent, legally compliant, highly efficient, and secure.
G7 sanctions against Russian diamonds: Import guidelines
To penalize Russia for its illegal war against Ukraine and to curtail the revenue from its diamond trade that helps finance the conflict, the G7 has implemented import restrictions on non-industrial diamonds mined, processed, or produced in Russia.
These sanction measures have an impact on the import procedures at Diamond Office.
Diamond Office: a Brilliant History
Since its official establishment in 1945 (B.G. August 4, 1945), Diamond Office has provided support for the import and export of diamonds for Belgian diamond traders and the industry. Even after DO became a department within AWDC (then HRD) in 1975, it continued to fulfil this role in close cooperation with the Belgian government.
Diamond Office is internationally recognised for its high standards of compliance and transparency. This is evidenced by the many visits by both official and technical delegations. However, DO controls are also respected nationally. Consider the importance that financial institutions attach to them in the context of financing the diamond sector.
Within DO, AWDC prepares an average of 85,000 import and export declarations for diamond shipments each year. AWDC does this for both trade with countries outside the EU (mandatory to be declared on DO) and for trade with countries within the EU (voluntary to be declared on DO). All these shipments are subjected to strict physical inspections by sworn in experts under the supervision of the Belgian government. This makes the Belgian diamond sector one of the most controlled sectors worldwide.
Since 2011 AWDC has an “Authorised Economic Operator (full)” licence. This means that AWDC is recognised by the FPS Finance (Customs) as a reliable partner in the field of customs procedures and safety.
Contact Diamond Office
Antwerp World Diamond Centre
Hoveniersstraat 22
B-2018 Antwerp
Belgium
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