A guide to Diamond Office G7 procedures

UPDATE: Wednesday 28 August  - G7 Guideline text will be updated shortly

To punish Russia for its illegal war against Ukraine, and since Russia is an important supplier of natural diamonds, import restrictions on non-industrial diamonds mined, processed, or produced in this country are issued by the G7 (the group of seven of the world’s advanced economies, including Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the US. Also, the European Union participates in the G7 meetings but is not an official member). These diamond-related sanctions against Russia are implemented in different stages:

The first stage started on January 1, 2024. This was the moment when the import of diamonds of Russian origin or diamonds coming directly from Russia became illegal (= Direct ban).

The second stage started on March 1, 2024. As of this moment, the indirect import of Russian diamonds (for example, when they were first polished in a third country like India) has also become illegal. During this stage, which is also known as the ‘Sunrise Period’, documentary evidence is required to prove the origin of diamonds (and that they are non-Russian) when importing diamonds into Belgium via the Diamond Office. All diamonds in scope during this period (March 1 until September 1, 2024) are natural, non-industrial, rough and polished diamonds equal to or larger than 1 carat.

The third stage will start on September 1, 2024. From this moment, diamonds in scope are expanded with synthetic diamonds, 
so diamonds in scope are natural and synthetic, non-industrial, rough, and polished diamonds equal to or larger than 0.5 carat. Also, from this moment, Belgian Registered Diamond Companies will be able to regularize their existing stock of goods, consisting of diamonds of Russian or unknown origin. This is the so-called ‘Grandfathering Principle’. 
 

What changes on September 1, 2024? 

• Diamonds equal to or larger than 0,5 carat are now in scope
• Lab-grown / synthetic diamonds equal to or larger than 0.5 carat are now also in scope
• The - use/implementation of the digital registry within the Diamond Office
   

Regularizing existing stock – Grandfathering-principle

• Regularizing your existing stock of diamonds is possible in practice starting on September 1, 2024.
• Grandfathered Goods receive a GF number (similar to a G7 number for goods imported from outside the EU or G7)