Editor’s Note
The GIA has temporarily suspended sending diamonds from international locations to its U.S. labs for processing. Clients are advised to verify current trade conditions and consider using alternative GIA locations outside the United States.
Those currently planning to use international laboratory services should definitely check the current trade conditions and, in case of doubt, use alternative GIA locations outside the USA. Current political measures in the USA are increasingly affecting the diamond industry: The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has announced that it will temporarily no longer accept diamonds from international locations if they would need to be sent to a US laboratory for processing. This decision is related to the new import tariffs imposed by the US government under President Trump.
Concretely, this means: Customers outside the USA have been asked to no longer send stones directly to GIA laboratories in the United States – regardless of whether it is for grading, certificates, or other laboratory services. The reason: Gemstones shipped to the USA for processing are now subject to a base tariff of 10%, plus additional surcharges depending on the country of origin. For India, for example, a total import duty of 27% has been announced, and for goods from the EU, around 20%.
Although, according to official US information, there is the possibility of duty-free temporary importation (Temporary Importation under Bond – TIB), for example for trade fair purposes or laboratory services. However, numerous experts – including the Antwerp World Diamond Centre and leading diamond consultants – warn against relying on this exception. In practice, there currently seem to be hardly any reliable ways to completely avoid import duties.
The GIA emphasizes that it is actively working to analyze the impact of the new regulations and, if necessary, adjust processes at international locations. The goal is to continue ensuring the usual service levels for customers outside the USA. In the meantime, the rule is: Anyone who still sends diamonds to a US GIA laboratory bears the responsibility for the incurred customs duties themselves – which are determined by the country of origin of the cut stone.
