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Applying to export rough diamonds

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The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) is an international effort to eliminate ‘conflict diamond’ trade. Conflict diamonds are rough diamonds (diamonds in their natural state) used by rebel movements to fund wars against legitimate governments.

If you intend to export rough diamonds, you must obtain a Kimberley Process Certificate (KPC) as proof the diamonds are from legitimate sources. Only countries participating in the scheme can receive rough diamond exports.

Which diamonds require a KPC?

Diamonds with any of 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.

Which countries are eligible to receive rough diamonds?

Only countries participating in the KPCS can trade rough diamonds. See the list of participants on the Kimberley Process website.

How do I apply for a KPC?

Follow these steps to apply for a KPC.

Complete the application form

Complete the form relevant to your circumstances. Please read the information and contact us to discuss the KPC requirements before you start.

Occasional exporter

Complete the Occasional Exporter form if you are seeking to export rough diamonds on a 'one-off' or infrequent basis. We assess and grant these on a shipment-by-shipment basis.

Kimberly Process Certificate application form: Occasional exporter [81KB DOCX]

Kimberly Process Certificate application form: Occasional exporter [78KB PDF]

Frequent exporter

Complete the Frequent Exporter form to apply for a licence to issue KPCs for shipments of Australian-origin products. This is available to companies who have a pattern of regular exports over a minimum of 12 months prior to the application. It is subject to a strict schedule of licence conditions. Licences are valid from 1 January to 31 December of the current year.

Kimberly Process Certificate application form: Frequent exporter [72KB DOCX]

Kimberly Process Certificate application form: Frequent exporter [51KB PDF]

Gather the required documentation

Your application must include the following documentation. They must be current originals. Out-of-date copies will not be assessed.

  1. A current Australia-wide Criminal History Check (CHC) from the Australian Federal Police (no more than 3 years old).
  2. 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

Submit your application

When preparing to send us your application, please check that you have provided all of the required details and original documentation. This will avoid processing delays. Details on how to send your application to us are in the form.

If you have any questions, please call us.

Processing times

We aim to process completed applications within 5 working days of receipt. Incomplete applications can take longer.

The Minister for Resources and Northern Australia or an authorised officer in this department issues KPCs.

Shipping requirements

  • You must declare your shipment and have the KPC checked by the Australian Border Force at least 3 hours prior to shipping.
  • The KPC must travel with the shipment and remain valid for the entire journey. Australian KPCs are valid for 60 days from the issue date.
  • You must ship the rough diamond products in a tamper-resistant container.

Contact us

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Last updated: 12 November 2020

Content ID: 42921