Ban on Russian diamond imports expanded to include those processed in third countries

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued notice that a ‘certification statement’ will be required for imports of diamonds, non-industrial diamonds, diamond jewelry and unsorted diamonds, effective March 1, 2024, confirming they do not contain diamonds of Russian origin, which are prohibited.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) expanded prohibitions on imports of Russian Diamonds to now include diamonds processed or substantially transformed in third countries, also effective March 1, 2024. 

CBP requires a statement which differs depending on the product shipped, but must be on company letterhead in a PDF format.

  • For non-industrial diamonds with a weight of 1.0 carat or greater:

“I certify that the non-industrial 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.”

  • For diamond jewelry and unsorted diamonds:

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

Only one self-certification document will be required per Entry.

The ban on Russian origin diamonds was first imposed on March 11, 2022 by Executive Order 14068, banning the import into the U.S. of non-industrial diamonds of Russian Federation origin, which included ‘non-industrial diamonds’ of Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) subheadings 7102.31.00 and 7102.39.00, ‘diamonds’ of HTS subheadings 7102.10, 7102.31, and 7102.39, ‘unsorted diamonds of HTS subheading 7102.10., and ‘diamond jewelry’ of HTS heading 7113, incorporating diamonds. 

These changes are the result of coordinated effort with world leaders to impose phased restrictions on the importation of certain Russian diamonds, including diamonds processed in third countries.  

General questions may be directed to your Livingston account manager.