The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) is an international effort to stop the trade in conflict diamonds.
Conflict diamonds are rough diamonds still in their natural state, that have been used to fund wars against governments.
Only countries that participate in the scheme can receive rough diamond exports.
Controlled diamonds
Diamonds with the following Australian Harmonised Export Commodity Classification (AHECC) codes are subject to the KPCS:
- 7102.10: Unsorted, worked and unworked diamonds.
- 7102.21: Industrial diamonds which are unworked or simply sawn, cleaved or bruted.
- 7102.31: Non-industrial diamonds which are unworked or simply sawn, cleaved or bruted.
Exporting rough diamonds
Exporting rough diamonds from Australia is prohibited under 9AA of the Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1958.
This is unless the diamonds are:
- transported in a tamper resistant container
- exported to a country that is a participant of the KPCS
- accompanied by a valid Kimberly Process Certificate.
If you’re exporting rough diamonds, you must lodge an Export Declaration with the Australian Border Force (ABF).
If you don’t meet the requirements of the KPCS your diamonds may be seized and you will have to forfeit them. If you do try to export prohibited diamonds, you may be fined or prosecuted.
Learn more about exporting prohibited goods.
Applying for a Kimberley Process Certificate
You must apply for a Kimberly Process Certificate (KPC) if you want to export rough diamonds from Australia. We’ll assess and grant certificates on a shipment-by-shipment basis.
Once granted, the KPC must accompany the shipment at all times and remain valid for the entire journey.
KPCs are valid for approximately 2 months from the date of issue.
Required documents
Your application must include the following documents.
All documents must be certified by an acceptable referee, except for the signed letter. We’ll not assess your application if the documents have not been certified before you attach them as part of your online application.
- A current Australia-wide National Police Certificate from the Australian Federal Police that is less than 3 years old.
- Proof of origin of the rough diamonds being exported. This includes the original receipt of purchase from an Australian diamond producer, or merchant if applicable. If the diamonds are foreign-sourced, include:
- the date of import into Australia
- total metric carat weight of the shipment
- Customs Import Entry Number
- the original foreign Kimberley Process Certificate covering the imported goods.
- A signed letter stating that the rough diamonds are from legitimate sources and not involved in funding conflict.
Processing times
We aim to process all applications within 5 business days of receipt. However incomplete or incorrect forms may need more time to process.
If you don’t respond to a request for updated information or corrected forms within a reasonable timeframe, we may reject your application.
At any time, we have the right to withhold or revoke a KPC, if it is necessary.
Submit your application
To submit an application, you must complete our online form.