US to Enforce Strict Requirements on Diamond Provenance Starting April 2025
The United States is set to implement new rules requiring importers to disclose the mining origin of diamonds entering the country. This shift, announced by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), is part of broader efforts to enforce sanctions on Russian goods. These rules are set to take effect in April 2025.
According to a Trade User Information Notice released on January 23, 2025, those filing diamond imports through the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) system will be required to specify the "country of mining" for each diamond shipment. However, the notice did not clarify whether importers would need to provide supporting evidence or what carat sizes would fall under the new requirements.
As of September 2024, the U.S. had already banned imports of nonindustrial Russian diamonds weighing 0.50 carats or more. The new rules are part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the enforcement of sanctions, building on previous executive orders issued by President Biden.
For diamond jewelry shipments, CBP will continue requiring self-certification statements to confirm that no Russian diamonds are included. However, jewelry imports that do not contain diamonds are exempt from the new origin declaration rule.
This initiative is part of a larger strategy to clamp down on the importation of goods from Russia, with further clarity on the requirements expected as the April 2025 deadline approaches.