FAQ EU Restrictions on Diamonds

All rough diamonds that have passed G7 verification through Antwerp, Belgium as designated G7 authority, receive a G7 certificate. This a 35-digit number that is mentioned on the import declaration under box 44. This number is the reference that needs to be used to evidence that polished diamonds originate from verified rough.

As of Sept 1, it will be mandatory to be able to evidence this using digital traceability data. G7 numbers will be used as unique identifiers in this process and need to be included as the diamonds go through the value chain. 

Last update: 22 December 2023

On 6 December 2023, building on the statements of February and May 2023, the Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) agreed to introduce import restrictions on non-industrial diamonds, mined, processed, or produced in Russia, by 1 January 2024, followed by further phased restrictions on the import of Russian diamonds processed in third countries targeting 1 March 2024.

The EU sanctions on Russian diamonds contained in the 12th sanctions package (Article 3p of Council Regulation No. 833/2014) are part of this concerted G7 effort to introduce an internationally coordinated diamond ban, that aims at depriving Russia of this important revenue stream estimated at EUR 4 billion per year, of which approximately EUR 1.5 billion are annual imports into the EU.

The European Commission has been engaging with G7 countries and other key partners, including industry, with the aim of designing and ensuring the effective implementation of coordinated restrictive measures, including through tracing technologies across G7 and EU countries to have an effective impact.

To import rough or polished natural diamonds into the EU using documentary evidence, a set of minimum information is required to be prepared and available prior to, or at the time of importation.

For rough and polished natural diamonds, the following cumulative information is required to be available.

  Mining country of origin.

  Names of buyer and seller.

  CN codes and description.

  Number of parcels in a shipment.

  Weight in carat of the diamond(s) if at least one diamond (if multiple diamonds are shipped in a parcel) is of 1.0 carat or above.

  Value of the diamonds.

  Place of importation, exportation, and route of transportation as applicable depending

on the lifecycle of the diamond(s) prior to importation in the EU.

The type of documents containing the above information required for submission with entry may vary. But it is the importer’s responsibility to ensure the documentation meets all the above information requirements. As an illustrative and non-exhaustive list, please consider the below examples of documentation.

For rough natural diamonds

• KP certificates with single origin for diamonds at or above 1.0 carat.
• KP Mixed origin from De Beers DTC "Botswana Sort"
• KP certificates with mixed origin accompanied by documentary evidence, proving that no diamonds at or above 1.0 carat in the shipment are mined in Russia, are recognised during a transition period between 1 March 2024 to 31 August 2024, after which only KP certificates with single origin or De Beers DTC mixed origin* will be accepted.

Additional documents proving the required information may include:

• Customs declaration form
• Invoice
• Packing list
• Transport documentation, e.g. waybill document
• Evidence from traceability systems

For polished natural diamonds

• Signed attestation or supplier declaration confirming that none of the diamonds at or above 1.0 carat in the shipment are mined in Russia. Download the template here. 

Evidence supporting the attestation or supplier declaration is mandatory and may include:

• Customs declaration form
• Invoice
• Packing list
• Transport documentation, e.g. waybill document
• Laboratory grading report
• Evidence from traceability systems

While optional (except for goods of CN codes 7102 31 00 and 7102 10 00 with a weight equal to or above 1.0 carat), it is recommended that importers consider using the G7 import node in Belgium (see Question 9 above) by the end of the sunrise period (31 August 2024) to obtain a G7 Certificate, to support transition to the requirement starting 1 September 2024. Rough diamonds are preferably imported using single origin KP certificates. Rough diamonds imported using mixed origin KP certificates will be able to receive a G7 certificate, provided documentary evidence demonstrates (including for imports in the EU) non-Russian provenance of diamonds during the sunrise period (1 March – 31 August 2024). The documentary evidence does not apply to De Beers DTC mixed origin* KP certificates.

Canada may develop a node to issue G7 certificates for Canadian diamond mining producers, which could be operational by 1 September 2024.

* De Beers’ so-called ‘Botswana Sort’ diamonds are accepted because they consist of aggregated diamonds not mined in Russia (Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa).

Last update: 22 December 2023

Article 3p of Council Regulation No. 833/2014 prohibits the purchase, import, or transfer of Russian non-industrial diamonds in several stages:

-  As of 1 January 2024, diamonds (natural and synthetic) and products incorporating diamonds (jewellery) listed in Parts A, B and C of Annex XXXVIIIA of Council Regulation No. 833/2014 are banned if they originate in Russia or have been exported from Russia. The same applies to such goods (of any origin) if they transited through Russia;

-  As of 1 March 2024, the prohibition applies also to Russian natural diamonds as listed in Part A of Annex XXXVIIIA that have been processed in a third country, consisting of Russian diamonds equal to or above 1.0 carats per diamond;

-  As of 1 September 2024, the prohibition applies also to Russian natural and synthetic diamonds and jewellery incorporating Russian diamonds (all products listed in Parts A, B and C of Annex XXXVIIIA) that have been processed in a third country,

consisting of or incorporating diamonds originating in Russia or exported from Russia with a weight equal to or above 0.5 carats or 0.1 grams* per diamond.

* Synthetic diamonds are measured in grams in the Combined Nomenclature (1 carat = 0.2 grams)

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We are currently working on answering all questions.

We will update this page overtime with answers to your questions.

We are currently working on answering all questions.

We will update this page overtime with answers to your questions.

We are currently working on answering all questions.

We will update this page overtime with answers to your questions.

Each shipment you intend to declare must be accompanied by a complete set of documents, including:
 

a) It is recommended to include a packing list indicating whether the shipment includes diamonds of 1 carat or larger. 
 

b) For ROUGH diamonds, the following documents are mandatory:
 

The mining country of origin, established through:

- A single origin Kimberley Process certificate, OR

- A mixed origin Kimberley Process certificate for De Beers Botswana Sort, OR

- A mixed origing Kimberley Process certificate: please note you will need additional documentary evidence proving the origins in the mixed parcel

An invoice detailing:

- Names of the buyer and seller,

- Total shipment value

- Total carat weight of the shipment

- Customs code and description.

 
An Airway Bill (AWB) outlining:

- Import and export locations     

- Transportation route of the shipment.

Each shipment you intend to declare must be accompanied by a complete set of documents, including:

a) A packing list indicating whether the shipment includes diamonds of 1 carat or larger.

b) For POLISHED diamonds the following documents are required:

A signed supplier declaration (download template here), this can be: 

- A declaration on the invoice, OR

- A separate declaration from the supplier, OR

- A separate declaration from the importer

An invoice, with:

1. The names of the buyer and the seller, AND

2. The total value of your shipment, AND

3. The total weight of your shipment in carat, AND

5. The customs code and description

6. If known, information about country of mining origin or "non-Russian origin"

An Airway Bill (AWB), with: 

- The name of the place of importation, AND

- The name of the place of exportation, AND

- The route of transportation of your shipment

“I hereby declare that the non-industrial, natural diamonds in this shipment were not mined, produced, extracted, or manufactured wholly or in part in the Russian Federation, notwithstanding whether such diamonds have been substantially transformed into other products outside of the Russian Federation.”

You can download the declaration here. 

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Grandfathered goods are rough and polished diamonds of Russian or unknown origin which you purchased before January 1st 2024 and which are still in your stock.

A system to accommodate existing rough and polished stocks of Russian origin (purchase predating sanctions) and of unknown origin is being discussed by G7. As soon as more information becomes available we will update this information.

Recycled diamonds fall under grandfathered or existing stock rules and will be part of a system currently being decided by the G7 to accommodate existing/grandfathered stock.

Goods that are out of scope or potentially goods purchased before restrictions came into effect.

Jewelry is currently not in scope, personal jewelry will never be in scope.

Yes

Yes

A system to accommodate existing rough and polished stocks of Russian origin (purchase predating sanctions) and of unknown origin is being discussed by G7.

Through traceability tech, the G7 number will be used as an identifier in the transformation of rough to polished alongside other data captured in that process which is added to the traceability track.

All industry players will be obliged to use traceability systems, your clients will need the traceability data in their operations so if you don’t provide it this will lead to problems for your buyers.

They will be independently audited by a 3rd party

The process of setting criteria and validation is ongoing. As soon as more information becomes available we will add it here.

We will host a separate webinar as soon as details are known.

Last update: 1 March 2024

The KP has a key role to play in controlling rough diamonds and ensuring that they are conflict free. The sanctions on Russian diamonds apply to both rough and polished diamonds. The system of implementation of the sanctions on diamonds will complement KP certification and verifications and will use the KP certificate - of single origin - as part of its verification.

The control measures of the ban on Russian diamonds will be implemented in phases. From 1 January 2024 the use of KP certificates will be accepted as evidence of country of origin for imports of rough diamonds. From 1 March a traceability system in the form of a Blockchain based G7 ledger will be in use but KP certificates will still be accepted as evidence of country of origin if no Russian diamonds are mixed with other origins. While mixed parcels will be accepted, as the certificates for such parcels do not disclose the origin, it is therefore needed to provide, in addition to the KP certificate, evidence proving that diamonds, over the weight threshold, are of non-Russian origin. As of 1 September 2024, the obligation to use the G7 ledger for rough diamonds will be mandatory under the EU’s restrictive measures while the KP certification requirements will continue to apply. However as of 1 September 2024, only KP certificates with single origin or De Beers DTC mixed origin, will be accepted (see Question 12).

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Because most of the requirements were decided and published by G7/EU on or after March 1st.

Because shipment processing is now based on whether or not they fit all requirements and the submission for import has all necessary documents.

Make sure your shipment and documents fit the requirements mentioned in the decision tree.

35 character number remains but will be embedded in a digital certificate including QR code

No you do not need 2 separate invoices. 

If you mix diamonds in scope and out of scope, the rules of diamonds in scope apply. Follow the decision tree on requirements, depending rough or polished you will have different requirements.

As long as you separate the parcels for what is in scope (= or > 1ct) and not in scope (< 1ct), and indicate this on your packing list you only have to fulfill the additional requirements, e.g. declaration for polished, for the parcels in scope.

CLARIFICATION: 

(= or > 1ct): equal to or larger than 1 carat -> IN SCOPE

(< 1ct): smaller than 1 carat -> OUT OF SCOPE

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Transit goods ref FPS Economy, depends on the willingness of customs agencies outside of EU to accept the sealing to be broken and resealed, a necessary step to do G7 verification.

Secondary market goods need to have a G7 verification number, which whoever sells to you should mention on the invoice of the goods you buy. De Beers goods are not exempt of having to pass G7 verification

We refer to point 2.17 of the Q&A of the G7, the estimated cost should be limited, a minimal, flat fee would apply, eg 20$ regardless of value.

A G7 number is issued on the import declaration, box 44 at the end of the import verification. Once goods are imported and G7 certified, it is recommended to all industry players to add the G7 number on invoices when selling the goods. Having this G7 number will be necessary to demonstrate the verified origin of the rough for example when goods return as polished after polishing outside of the G7/EU.

If the bank suspects this payment will benefit a sanctioned entity, yes, OFAC sanctions US and Financial sanctions apply.
 

Currently for both rough and polished, physical and documentary evidence checks are performed. As of Sept 1, the use of digital traceability will be mandatory.

Other jurisdictions have different requirements, the goal of the G7 initiative is exactly to have alignment, we will continue to strive for clarity in other jurisdictions, where clear guidelines are published, we will add them to our webpage www.awdc.be/en/g7.

Sanctions only apply to import, for export normal rules of DO continue to apply. 

To ensure the information is accurate, check the import regulations you are exporting your goods to for the latest & most up-to-date information.

This is brought to the attention of the EU Commision and G7 partners regularly. If you have examples it is important to flag them, so this info can be shared with other partners as soon as possible. In case you have examples, it is important to provide substantial evidence of exact cases, and not just hearsay. 

Last update: 22 December 2023

Yes, the prohibition of Article 3p does not apply to jewellery incorporating Russian diamonds for personal use of natural persons travelling to the European Union or of their immediate family members travelling with them, as long as it is owned by those individuals and not intended for sale.

A similar exemption also applies to the gold ban of Article 3o and to the ban on exports of diamond jewellery included in the luxury goods list in Annex XVIII of Council Regulation No. 833/2014 (Article 3h).

Last update: 22 December 2023

Yes, as of 1 January 2024 it is prohibited to purchase, import, or transfer jewellery incorporating Russian diamonds as listed in Part C of Annex XXXVIIIA of Council Regulation No. 833/2014 if it originates in Russia or has been exported from Russia. The same applies to jewellery incorporating diamonds of any origin that transited through Russia.

In addition, as of 1 September 2024, this prohibition is extended to jewellery that has been processed in a third country, incorporating diamonds originating in Russia or exported from Russia with a weight equal to or above 0.5 carats or 0.1 grams per diamond.

Furthermore, there is a ban on gold jewellery (Article 3o) and precious metal jewellery (Article 3i) from Russia.