Departure to a non-European Union state with rough diamonds
Twenty years ago it became clear that the civil wars in Africa were being financed with illicitly mined diamonds known as conflict (or "blood") diamonds.
To stop the illegal trade in diamonds a number of diamond-producing states in southern Africa agreed on establishing an international certification scheme for the diamond trade. The Kimberley Process certification scheme (KPCS) entered into force in 2002. By now there are more than fifty states or associations of states, including the European Union, participating in it.
For the purposes of the certification scheme the European Union, including the territory of Greenland, is treated as a single area without internal borders and is regarded a single participating state. This state has a number of Community authorities whose responsibilities include the examination and inspection of the rough diamonds, and the issue and validation of (Community) certificates.
Rough diamonds may now only be exported or imported if certain conditions are met.
What must I know if I want to take rough diamonds into a non-European Union state?
Rough diamonds can in principle only be exported if
- they are accompanied with a valid certificate that has been issued by a community authority, and
- the diamonds are kept in a tamper-resistant container.
The certificate is a document that has been properly issued and validated by the competent authority in the participating state. It is this document which confirms that the requirements of the Kimberley process have been met. There are only six community authorities in the European Union that have been authorised to issue these certificates.
Where and how can I obtain a valid certificate?
First, the rough diamonds must be presented to a community authority that is empowered to issue the certificates.
In Germany, this is the customs office in Idar-Oberstein where the respective prerequisites are examined and certificates issued.
A certificate can only be issued, though, where the diamonds are transported in a tamper-resistant container. For further information you should contact the Idar-Oberstein customs office in good time.
For contact details of all community authorities please go to the "Participants, contact" section.
Please be aware that you may export rough diamonds only if you are in possession of a valid certificate that has been issued by a Community authority. Infringements of the certification scheme are subject to penalties.
Do I need a Kimberley certificate even for an insignificant quantity or value of rough diamonds?
Because the trade in illegally-mined rough diamonds shall be rigorously prevented, the conditions for the movement (i.e. the physical transport) of rough diamonds must always be complied with, irrespective of the value or quantity or the means of transport. Consequently, there are no thresholds on value or quantity allowances for rough diamonds.
There are specific legal provisions that must be observed when rough diamonds are being brought into Greenland.
On request the competent Community authority in Germany will provide you with more detailed information about the specific rules that apply when taking rough diamonds to Greenland.
