Rough Diamond Importation Procedures under the Kimberley Process

The Clean Diamond Trade Act (the “Act”; Public Law 108-19) was signed into law on July 29, 2003. The Act prohibits the “importation into, or exportation from, the United States on or after July 30, 2003, of any rough diamond, from whatever source, unless the rough diamond has been controlled through the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme (KPCS)”.

The Census Bureau is responsible for collecting, compiling and publishing import and export statistics for the U.S. under the provisions of Title 13 and Title 15 U.S.C. The Act requires the Census Bureau to maintain statistics on imports and exports of rough diamonds under subheadings 7102.10, 7102.21, and 7102.31 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.All importers of rough diamonds must fax a copy of their KPC certificates to the Census Bureau upon making entry with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.