UPDATES

September 3, 2025

Information about IMPORTING Diamonds to Canada

The CBSA has recently issued Customs notice 24-05 – New Sanctions under the Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations – Importation of Diamonds.

It has been prohibited to import natural diamonds whose weight is greater than or equal to 1.0 carat, mined or produced in Russia that are exported, processed and/or polished in a third country.

Under this new Regulation, there is now a requirement to submit paper release requests for the import of diamonds of all origins which fall under HS codes 7102.39.00.10 & 7102.39.00.20.

In addition to the paper release requirement, CBSA asks that a “Diamond Origin Attestation form” be provided with the paper release package. The attestation certifies that the diamonds being imported are not of Russian origin or are from any person in Russia, including being mined, processed, or produced in Russia, and subsequently exported to a third country. The Attestation form is included in Appendix A of the Customs Notice.

Failure to provide the Diamond Origin Attestation or any requested supporting documentation may result in significant delays in release of goods, detention, and potentially seizure of goods for non-compliance.

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September 1, 2024

Canada: Latest update on G7 Russian Diamond ban

Canada has announced that it is furthering coordinated efforts from G7 member states by implementing the second phase of its indirect ban on Russian diamonds. On September 1, 2024, Canada has reduced the size threshold of diamonds indirectly banned from 1 carat and higher to 0.50 carats and higher.

Note: these sanctions have been clarified by the Government that they do not apply to the import of diamonds if they were outside of Russia before the entry into force of the different stages of the G7 ban (legacy diamonds).

Canadian specific guidance, including the Diamond Origin Attestation form, on the importation of diamonds into Canada (including legacy diamonds) can be found below:

Customs Notice 24-05: New Sanctions under the Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations – Importation of Diamonds

August 2024

US: New Licenses and declaration/s for G7 Russian diamond sanctions

The US Department of the Treasury’s office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued new exclusion guidelines for importing legacy diamonds and diamond jewellery.

Following are the two new licenses:

1.General License No. 103 

allows for the importation of diamond jewelry and unsorted diamonds of either Russian or unknown origin purchased before, and physically located outside Russia prior to the implementation of sanctions on March 1, 2024.

2. General License No. 104 

applies the same rules to non-industrial loose rough and polished diamonds of 1 carat or more. Diamonds of Russian or unknown origin between 0.50 and 1 carat may be imported into the US if they were both purchased and located outside  Russia before September 1.

 

The following declaration/s must accompany any of these goods upon importation in order to demonstrate compliance with sanctions:

For nonindustrial diamonds of 1 carat and above:

“I certify that the nonindustrial diamonds in this shipment were not mined, extracted, produced, or manufactured wholly or in part in the Russian Federation, notwithstanding whether such diamonds have been substantially transformed into other products outside of the Russian Federation.”

Or:

“I certify that the nonindustrial diamonds in this shipment qualify for General License 104, because the diamonds were physically located outside of the Russian Federation before March 1, 2024, and were not exported or reexported from the Russian Federation since March 1, 2024.”

For nonindustrial diamonds of 0.50 carats and above:

“I certify that the nonindustrial diamonds in this shipment were not mined, extracted, produced, or manufactured wholly or in part in the Russian Federation, notwithstanding whether such diamonds have been substantially transformed into other products outside of the Russian Federation.”

Or:

“I certify that the nonindustrial diamonds in this shipment qualify for General License 104, because the diamonds were physically located outside of the Russian Federation before September 1, 2024, and were not exported or reexported from the Russian Federation since September 1, 2024.”

For diamond jewelry and unsorted diamonds:

“I certify that the diamond jewelry and unsorted diamonds in this shipment are not of Russian Federation origin and were not exported from the Russian Federation.”

Or:

“I certify that the diamond jewelry in this shipment qualifies for General License 103 and that it was physically located outside of the Russian Federation prior to March 1, 2024, and not exported or reexported from the Russian Federation on or after March 1, 2024.”

The US government allows import of diamond jewelry and certain loose diamonds from Russian sources, provided the purchases occurred before 2024 round of sanctions were imposed. 

Sources:

Rappaport

United Kingdom Government

July 15, 2024

A short update on efforts related to the G7 Russian diamond ban from Global Affairs Canada (GAC)

As you may have seen, the EU recently announced that it is extending the sunrise period (the period where documentary evidence supporting diamond origin is accepted) until March 1, 2025. In line with G7 partners, documentary evidence will continue to be accepted in Canada during the sunrise period until at least March 1, 2025. Current guidance on the importation of diamonds into Canada can be found HERE and will be updated to reflect requirements as they are phased in.

Canada is also seeking to provide clarity to our industry in the coming weeks on our approach to existing stocks of diamonds of Russian or unknown origin that were outside Russia prior to the entry into force of the different stages of the G7 ban.

The development of a Canadian export node for the certification of diamonds mined in Canada remains under consideration.

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