CSMS Message: 12-000305

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 Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.” This message reminds brokers, importers, and other affected members of the trade of a specific reporting requirement of the Act that impacts the ability of the United States Census Bureau (“Census Bureau”) to accurately capture import statistics.

The Census Bureau is responsible for collecting, compiling, and publishing import and export statistics under the Act. The Census Bureau is required to maintain statistics on imports and exports of rough diamonds classified 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 Kimberley Process Certificate to the Census Bureau at (800) 457-7328immediately after use.

When entries are filed, the ISO code prefix to the KP Certificate number must match that of the issuing country regardless of the diamond's origin. For example, a rough diamond mined in Canada and imported from Mexico with Mexican KP Certificate number 12345, would have a CA country of origin and a MX prefix for the certificate. When transmitting the information to Customs and Border Protection, the certificate number would appear as MX0012345 and not CA0012345. This will allow for proper reconciliation by the Census Bureau.

Refer to Administrative Message 04-2229, Diamond Certificate Automation Project, for instructions on proper electronic submission of the Kimberley related data elements.

Questions can be directed to the Enforcement Policy Branch at (202) 863-6057.