Editor’s Note
New U.S. import requirements for diamonds, mandating a “country of mining” declaration from April 2025, aim to enhance supply chain transparency. While this signals a significant push for traceability, the industry faces unanswered questions regarding implementation and compliance.
New requirements to state the “country of mining” when importing diamonds into the US, effective from April 2025, have left many questions unanswered and signal a push for greater traceability in the diamond trade.
The rules were announced by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in stages, with a notice on October 22, 2024, and a Trade User Information Notice updated on January 14, 2025. The details remain unclear, including whether the 0.50-carat threshold from the US ban on Russian diamonds applies, as suggested in a letter from shipping company Malca-Amit, though this is not officially confirmed.
CBP has not specified evidence requirements, though industry members believe self-certification will continue with a higher chance of authorities requesting documentation. What constitutes reliable proof of origin, such as whether a Kimberley Process certificate is sufficient, remains undefined.
The documents are confusing, with the October notice referencing “diamonds and diamond jewelry,” while the January document lists “diamond imports” and “imports of jewelry that exclude diamonds,” leaving the status of finished diamond jewelry unspecified.
CBP defines “country of mining” as “where the diamonds were mined, extracted, produced, or manufactured wholly or in part.” Yood noted that this terminology differs from trade usage, and clarity is lacking.
CBP and the State Department had not responded to requests for comment by press time. The industry awaits further guidance as the April 2025 implementation date approaches.
