The import of rough diamonds

Background information

During the 1990s it became clear that the civil wars taking place in Africa were principally being financed by illicitly mined diamonds ("blood diamonds"). In order to prevent the illegal trade in diamonds and end the civil wars a number of diamond-producing countries in southern Africa agreed to set up an international certification system for the diamond trade.

The Kimberley process regulations have been in force since 2002. By now more than fifty states, or associations of states, including the European Union, are participating in the process. Raw diamonds may therefore only be imported or exported under certain specified conditions.

What must be borne in mind when rough diamonds are sent to Germany?

The import of rough diamonds is in principle only permitted

• from states that are taking part in the Kimberley process, and
• where the consignment is accompanied with a valid certificate, and
• where the diamonds are in a container that has been sealed by the certifying body.

The certificate is a document that has been properly issued and validated by the competent authority in the participating state. This is the document that confirms that the requirements of the Kimberley process have been met.

You will find a list of the states participating in the Kimberley process and the relevant contact details of the competent authorities in the "Participants, contact" section.

What must be borne in mind when rough diamonds are imported?

First, shipments that contain rough diamonds must be presented to a competent Community authority which examines the certificate and the container.
Shipments that can be recognised as containing rough diamonds, whether sent by post or courier service, are delivered by the carrier not directly to the addressee but first to the German Community authority, which is the certification body at the Idar-Oberstein customs office. The customs office will send the addressee a written notification as soon as the shipment with rough diamonds has arrived.

If all the requirements of the Kimberley process have been complied with, the certification body will issue the respective confirmation, and further import clearance can take place.

The costs arising from the confirmation of the certificate and the examination of the diamonds must be borne by the importer.

Are importers entitled to any exemptions or simplifications?

No. As the intention is to impose a strict prohibition on the trade in illicitly-mined rough diamonds, the conditions that must be met under the Kimberley process must always be complied with irrespective of the quantity or quality of the rough diamonds or the means by which they are transported. There are no value thresholds or quantity allowances for rough diamonds, and the customs declaration must be submitted following the usual written procedure.

Specific requirements for the import of rough diamonds from Greenland

Greenland has been included in the Union system of certification and import and export controls for rough diamonds since 9 April 2014. This has opened up the possibility of importing rough diamonds from Greenland into the European Union. In this context, Council Decision No 136/2014/EU of 20 February 2014 lays down specific rules and procedures that enable Greenland to participate in the Kimberley Process.