The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme
Participants of the Kimberley Process (KP) are committed to removing conflict diamonds from the global supply chain.
A simple definition of conflict diamonds is ‘the use of uncut (rough) diamonds to finance wars against governments around the world’.
The states and regional economic integration organisations that make up KP members stop 99% of the global production.
Note: Your importer may have extra information about shipping rough diamonds internationally. If not, another section explains how to research export markets and find new overseas customers.
Government Diamond Office (GDO)
The Kimberley Process regulates the international trade in uncut diamonds. Thus, failing to follow their guidelines can result in having your goods seized.
A list of KP participants and observers shows which countries meet the minimum requirements of the Kimberley Process (KP) Certification Scheme.
No matter whether you are importing or exporting uncut (rough) diamonds, it must be with one of the authorised States or countries.
You need the KP certificate for the exportation of each rough diamond shipment leaving the United Kingdom. The Government Diamond Office (GDO) has more information about getting Kimberley Process (KP) certificates.
The Government Diamond Office
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
King Charles Street
London
SW1A 2AH
Mail: [email protected]
Telephone: 020 7008 2938
Monday to Friday: 10am to 4pm
Information on call charges
Important: Special rules restrict the supply of high quality goods to anyone in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) or Syria, whether directly or indirectly. The ban also applies to the export of luxury goods (including gold and silver items, as well as precious and semi precious stones).
Trading Internationally in Rough Diamonds
UK rules for importing and exporting uncut (rough) diamonds changed on the 1st of January 2021. As a result, the United Kingdom became an independent participant of the Kimberley Process.
Moving Diamonds between Great Britain and the EU
You need to get a UK KP certificate to export rough diamonds from Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales) to any of the European Union (EU) countries.
But, the exporter would need to have an EU-issued KP certificate (e.g. from the relevant European authority) to export rough diamonds from countries in the EU and EEA to Great Britain.
Note: The Cabinet Office produces further information about customs procedures and guidance about trading in uncut (rough) diamonds with the EU in the Border Operating Model (BOM).
EU KP Certification Scheme Regulation
Trades between Great Britain and Northern Ireland
The EU Kimberley Process Certification Scheme Regulation still applies in Northern Ireland – under the terms of the Northern Ireland Protocol.
As a result, having a Kimberley Process (KP) certificate(s) is a legal requirement to move uncut (raw) diamonds from (either):
- Great Britain to Northern Ireland.
- Northern Ireland to Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales).
Trades between Northern Ireland and KP Participants (not the EU)
KP certification is a requirement when exporting rough diamonds from Northern Ireland to other participants in the Kimberley Process (except for EU countries).
Also, exporters need KP certification when importing rough diamonds from another Kimberley Process participant (except for EU countries) into Northern Ireland.
Moving Uncut Diamonds between Northern Ireland and the EU
KP certification is not required to move uncut (rough) diamond shipments between Northern Ireland and any of the countries in the European Union.
GDO Privacy Notice
The Government Diamond Office (GDO) is part of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). As such, they also manage personal data related to activities in the rough diamond trade.
You can read the FCDO privacy notice to check how the Government Diamond Office processes personal data. It also explains your rights in relation to the way they store your information.
Related Help Guides
- How to appoint a person or business to deal with customs?
- Special rules for exporting art, antiques, and cultural goods.
- Using fast parcel operators for freight imports and exports.
Note: The business finance section contains more advice and information about importing and exporting into and out of Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales) and Northern Ireland.