U.S. to Enforce Stricter Diamond Import Rules, Mandating Mining Country Disclosure

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will roll out tighter import regulations for diamonds in April 2025, reinforcing its efforts to block Russian-mined diamonds from entering the U.S. market. The new mandate, aligned with Executive Order 14114, requires importers to declare the Country of Mining for all diamond shipments, ensuring transparency in the supply chain.

New Compliance Measures for Importers

To further close loopholes that enable Russian diamonds to be processed and sold under different country labels, CBP is introducing a self-certification requirement. Importers must now affirm that their diamonds do not originate from Russia by submitting documentation through the Document Image System (DIS) under a new document code, CBP167—replacing the previous generic classification.

Global Crackdown on Russian Diamonds

The heightened scrutiny is part of international sanctions imposed on Russian commodities following the country’s invasion of Ukraine. The U.S., in collaboration with global trade partners, aims to curb illicit diamond flows by tightening trade policies and reinforcing due diligence requirements for importers.

Industry Preparation and Implementation Timeline

To facilitate a smooth transition, CBP has updated its ACE Cargo Release Implementation Guide and is actively engaging with trade stakeholders through biweekly support calls. Importers are strongly encouraged to review the revised guidelines and ensure compliance to avoid shipment delays or enforcement actions.

Key dates to note:

• January 27, 2025 – Self-certification document requirement becomes mandatory.
• April 2025 – Full mining country disclosure regulations take effect.

As the U.S. tightens its grip on diamond traceability, importers must adapt swiftly to these new protocols or risk regulatory penalties, reinforcing the global push for ethical sourcing in the diamond trade.