Obtaining the registration as a Belgian diamond trader

Every diamond trader based in Belgium is obliged to register with the Licence Service of the Federal Public Service Economy in Antwerp. According to the Royal Decree of April 30, 2004,one should register as a diamond trader when conducting a commercial activity with regard to diamonds as main occupation or on the side (including producers using diamonds when manufacturing equipment), except if one is exclusively dealing with insurance and/or financing of the diamond trade. 

When registered as a Belgian diamond trader you need to present the following documents at the License Service of the Federal Public Service Economy:

1.    Copy or proof of the ID card or National Register number (Rijksregister-nummer) of all administrators;
2.    Definite proof of the enterprise number allocated by the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (Kruispuntbank voor Ondernemingen);
3.    For companies, a copy of the notarised memorandum of association which is drawn up and provided by the notary and/or an excerpt from the Belgian Official Gazette (Belgisch Staatsblad/Moniteur Belge), which can also be provided by the notary;
4.    The professional card (beroepskaart) or work permit of all administrators, paid or unpaid, when they are foreign nationals and not E.E.A. citizens;
5.    For persons represented by a representative (also called a proxy): proof of authorisation signed by both parties + proof of ID of the authorised representative.
 

The Federal Public Service Economy  is the competent federal government authority in Belgium for several regulatory and monitoring aspects related to the supervision of the diamond trade in Belgium.  This monitoring system consists of the registration of diamond dealers, the provision of import- and export licences, the supervision on physical inspections of import and export diamond shipments (see Chapter on Diamond Office), the implemention of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (see Part C on Sector Specific Regulations), the implementation and supervision of the anti-money laundering legislation (see Part C on Sector Specific Regulations) and lastly, the monitoring of the system of industry self-regulation (see Part C on Sector Specific Regulations).

Once the registration as a diamond trader is obtained, a specific document will be given to the diamond trader, containing a unique registration number, which must be kept at all times. After registration you will be added on the website http://www.registereddiamondcompanies.be where you can find all the registered diamond traders with their registration numbers and contact details.