Kimberley Process – Export and Import of Rough Diamonds
Memorandum D19-6-4

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ISSN 2369-2391

Ottawa, August 19, 2020

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In brief

This memorandum has been updated to remove the fax number from the contact information and to clarify language.

This memorandum outlines and explains the legislation, regulations and general guidelines that apply to the exportation and importation of rough diamonds into and out of Canada.

Legislation

Export and Import of Rough Diamonds Act – sections 7(1), 8(1), 14(1) and 41(1)(a) and (b)

Customs Tariff

Customs Act – sections 101 and 107(5)

Canada Border Services Agency Act – sections 5(1) and 5(2)

Guidelines and General Information

1. This memorandum contains guidelines and information on the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme for the trade in rough diamonds. On , the provisions of the Export and Import of Rough Diamonds Act and its associated regulations became law. This legislation is the responsibility of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) will assist NRCan with the border enforcement aspects of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.

2. The Export and Import of Rough Diamonds Act was introduced as a result of commitments made by several countries, including Canada, that participate in the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. A list of participants can be found at the following link: Kimberley Process Participants.

3. The purpose of the Certification Scheme is to prevent the international movement of conflict or "blood" diamonds that are being used to fund rebel activities in various African countries. The Scheme requires imports and exports of rough diamonds to be accompanied by valid Kimberley Process certificates (KPCs) and transported in tamper-resistant containers.

4. The Export and Import of Rough Diamonds Act defines a rough diamond as "a diamond that is unsorted, unworked or simply sawn, cleaved or bruted, and that falls under subheading 7102.10, 7102.21 or 7102.31 in the List of Tariff Provisions set out in the schedule to the Customs Tariff…" Diamonds that are cut and polished and ready to be mounted, set or fitted do not fall under the provisions of the Act and do not require a KPC.

5. The Minister of Natural Resources has designated NRCan inspectors and the RCMP to respectively administer and enforce the Export and Import of Rough Diamonds Act.

6. The CBSA’s role is to review the KPCs, verify that appropriate containers are used and detain shipments that appear to violate the Export and Import of Rough Diamonds Act.

7. Information relating to Canadian diamonds that are exported and then returned to Canada can be found in Memorandum D10-14-39, Canadian Diamonds Exported and Returned.

Import Controls

8. Every person who imports rough diamonds into Canada must ensure that the rough diamonds are in a container that meets the requirements described in the section called Containers and Seals of this memorandum and is accompanied by a valid KPC (the KPC has to physically accompany the shipment) that:

9. If there are no discrepancies between the KPC and the import documentation at the time of importation, the CBSA will stamp the KPC with the CBSA Integrated Stamp and return it to the importer or the importer’s authorized agent.

10. The importer or the importer’s authorized agent must forward the KPC, within seven days after import, to NRCan at the address provided in this memorandum in the section called Additional Information.

11. The CBSA will detain shipments if any of the following circumstances occur:

Form B3-3 Coding Requirements

12. Importers should be aware that specific coding requirements apply to imports of rough diamonds that are classified under tariff item Numbers 7102.10, 7102.21, 7102.31 and 9813.00.00.41. The KPC that is required for imports of rough diamonds has a unique identification number. This identification number must be entered in field 26 (special authority) of Form B3-3, Canada Customs Coding Form, at the time of accounting.

13. In most cases, it will be possible to enter the KPC number in field 26 of Form B3-3 as it appears on the certificate. For example, the KPC number that appears on the United States certificate starts with US, while the European Union KPC number starts with EU. However, as the format of the KPC number varies among the participating countries and because there are field limitations, it may be necessary for the importer to modify the number before entering it. The following rules apply when completing field 26:

14. Clients using Customs Automated Data Exchange (CADEX) system and Customs Declaration (CUSDEC) system should refer to the mapping requirements listed in the Electronic Commerce Client Requirements Document, Chapter 14 to find out how to input this number into field 26 of Form B3-3.

15. In the event that an Order in Council applies to the shipment, the Form B3-3 will require a two-line entry because both an Order in Council number and a KPC identification number must be quoted in field 26. The form must be completed as described below:

Export Controls

16. Every person who exports rough diamonds from Canada must ensure that the diamonds are in a proper container that meets the requirements in the section called Containers and Seals and are accompanied by a valid Canadian KPC.

17. At the time of export, if there are no discrepancies between the Canadian KPC and the export documentation, the CBSA will date-stamp the export declaration and exporter’s copy portion of the KPC and return them to the exporter or the exporter’s authorized agent.

18. The exporter or the exporter’s authorized agent must forward the export declaration portion of the KPC, within seven days after export, to the Kimberly Process Office at NRCan at the address provided on the reverse side of the export declaration.

19. The CBSA will detain shipments and immediately contact NRCan’s Kimberley Process Office to get instructions on how to proceed if any of the following circumstances occur:

In-transit Shipments

20. As per the Export and Import of Rough Diamonds Act, shipments of rough diamonds that are transiting Canada (in-transit shipments) are not considered to be imported into Canada or exported from Canada.

21. In-transit shipments can be seized if they are not accompanied by a KPC certificate or are in a container that has been opened. However, if the Minister of Natural Resources orders the shipment to be returned to the participant who exported it then the rough diamonds cannot be seized.

22. In the event that the shipment transiting Canada cannot make an immediate connecting flight to the final destination, the CBSA will issue the person transporting the sealed container a BSF241, Non-monetary General Receipt and the shipment will remain in CBSA's custody and control until the connecting flight is ready for departure. At that time the CBSA will deliver the shipment, to the person issued the BSF241, at the gate to ensure the goods are exported.

Single-Window Initiative and the Kimberley Process Rough Diamonds Program

23. The-Single Window Initiative (SWI) provides commercial importers with the ability to submit electronic information to the CBSA, in advance of their arrival, through the use of the Integrated Import Declaration (IID) using service option 911. This new service is voluntary and provides the ability for importers and brokers to obtain release of various regulated goods that previously could only be released through a paper process. The IID can be submitted up to 90 days in advance and the trade chain partner will be able to receive border decisions related to the release of the diamonds up to 90 days in advance of their arrival.

24. In order to meet the SWI commitment to reduce paper, a new Document Image Functionality (DIF) has been developed. The DIF, service option 927, allows importers and brokers to electronically submit digital images of documents that traditionally needed to be presented with the importation documentation.

25. The SWI IID Electronic Commerce Client Requirements Document (ECCRD) provides technical and system requirements information. Appendix B of the ECCRD includes a list of required data elements for Natural Resources Canada. For more information on the SWI, please refer to the CBSA Website.

Containers and Seals

26. A container that is used to export or import rough diamonds must be constructed so that it cannot be opened when sealed without showing evidence of having been opened. In addition, a container in which rough diamonds are exported from Canada must be secured with a seal that bears a seal number listed on the accompanying Canadian KPC. If a situation arises where a seal is broken at the time of export from Canada, either as a result of a CBSA examination or damage in-transit, NRCan must be informed immediately. CBSA, in consultation with NRCan, will inform the exporter of next steps. In the event that an imported shipment is examined and the seal is broken or damage in-transit, NRCan must be informed immediately. CBSA, in consultation with NRCan, will inform the importer or the importer’s authorized agent of next steps.

Penalties

27. Subsection 41.(1) of the Export and Import of Rough Diamonds Act sets out the following penalties for various offences under this Act: (a) an indictable offence and liable to a fine in an amount that is in the discretion of the court or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years, or to both; or (b) an offence punishable on summary conviction and liable to a fine not exceeding $25,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or to both.

28. In the event that a CBSA infraction may also apply to the shipment (e.g., smuggling or false statements are made regarding the country of origin in the case of imports; non-report or false statements are made regarding the destination country in the case of exports), the CBSA will detain the goods and charges may be laid under both the Customs Act and the Export and Import of Rough Diamonds Act.

Additional Information

29. For more information on the requirements of the Kimberley Process, contact:

Kimberley Process Office
Minerals and Metals Sector
Natural Resources Canada
580 Booth Street, 10th floor
Ottawa ON K1A 0E4

Telephone: 343-292-8710
1-866-539-0766 (toll-free)

Email: kpc-cpk-canada@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca
Website: Kimberley Process for Rough Diamonds
Office hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday

30. Questions concerning the administration of these procedures from a CBSA perspective should be directed to the CBSA Border Information Service (BIS) online, or call BIS toll-free in Canada at 1-800-461-9999. If you are calling from outside Canada, you can access BIS by calling 204-983-3500 or 506-636-5064 (long-distance charges will apply). BIS agents are available, during regular business hours from Monday to Friday (except holidays), 8:00 to 16:00 local time. TTY is also available within Canada: 1-866-335-3237.

Appendix

Required data elements for Kimberley Process Certificates

Note 1: A certificate should bear the title "Kimberley Process Certificate" and have the following statement: "The rough diamonds in this shipment have been handled in accordance with the provisions of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme for rough diamonds".

Note 2: A Kimberley Process Certificate issued to export rough diamonds from Canada will apply to one shipment, identify the appropriate seal number(s) and be valid for a period of 60 days.

References

Issuing office
Commercial Programs Policy and Management Division
Commercial Programs Directorate
Programs Branch
Headquarters file
7935-26
Legislative references
Export and Import of Rough Diamonds Act
Customs Tariff
Customs Act
Canada Border Services Agency Act
Export and Import of Rough Diamonds Regulations (SOR/2003-15)
Other references
D10-14-39, D17-1-4
Forms B3-3 and BSF241
Superseded memorandum D
D19-6-4 dated December 8, 2015
Date modified: