Customs Notice 24-05: New Sanctions under the Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations – Importation of Diamonds
Ottawa,
1. To fulfil the commitment made by the G7 Leaders in 2023 to implement a prohibition on imports of Russian diamonds, the Government of Canada introduced the Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations.
2. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) assists Global Affairs Canada with the administration of the Special Economic Measures Act (SEMA) and associated Regulations.
3. In accordance with the G7 commitment, the Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations prohibit the purchase, import, or acquisition of certain diamonds mined or produced in Russia that are exported, processed and/or polished in a third country. In particular, the prohibition applies to natural diamonds whose weight is greater than or equal to 1.0 carat that are covered under the following World Customs Organization Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (HS) codes:
- HS 7102.10 – Unsorted diamonds, whether or not worked, but not mounted or set;
- HS 7102.31 – Non-industrial diamonds, unworked or simply sawn, cleaved or bruted, but not mounted or set;
- HS 7102.39 – Non-industrial diamonds, not mounted or set, other than those unworked or simply sawn, cleaved or bruted.
4. According to the Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations, it is prohibited to import Russian diamonds equal or greater than 1 carat, that were processed or produced in a third country.
5. When submitting import declarations to the CBSA for diamonds classified under the HS 7102.39, importers and customs brokers are required to use a paper release service option (please refer to the Memorandum D17-1-4 Release of Commercial Goods and Customs Notice 23-26 for details) rather than using an electronic release service option.
6. Integrated Import Declarations for rough diamonds classified under HS 7102.10 and HS 7102.31 may continue to be submitted to the CBSA via Single Window Initiative (service option 911).
7. To facilitate/expedite the release process of diamonds subject to sanction that are of size equal or greater than 1 carat under HS 7102.39, as well as rough diamonds of mixed origin, importers and customs brokers are strongly encouraged to provide to the CBSA, as of , a Diamond Origin Attestation form included in the Appendix A of this notice.
8. Importers, carriers or customs brokers may also be requested to provide additional documentary evidence (please refer to the Global Affairs Canada’s web page Canadian Sanctions Related to Russia for details) to confirm that diamonds did not originate in Russia; this could include the following information and/or documents:
- Mining origin (country where the diamond was originally mined).
- Names of buyer and seller.
- HS codes and description.
- Number of parcels in a shipment.
- Weight in carat of the diamond(s) if at least one diamond is of 1.0 carat or above (if multiple diamonds are shipped in a parcel).
- Value of the diamonds.
- Place of importation, exportation, and route of transportation.
- Diamond Origin Attestation form
- Laboratory grading
- Packing List
- Transportation documents
- G7 Certificate
9. Failure to provide the Diamond Origin Attestation or any requested supporting documentation may result in significant delays in release of goods, detention, and potentially seizure of goods for non-compliance with SEMA.
10. For more information relating to sanctions or the process to apply for a permit or certificate under SEMA, please contact:
Sanctions Policy and Operations Coordination Division
Global Affairs Canada
Lester B. Pearson Building
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, ON K1A 0G2
Telephone: 1-877-808-8838 (Toll free)
Email: sanctions@international.gc.ca
Website: Global Affairs Canada
11. For more information regarding the CBSA’s programs and services, please contact the Border Information Service (BIS) line. Within Canada, you can call BIS toll-free at 1-800-461-9999. From outside Canada, please call 204-983-3500 or 506-636-5064 (long-distance charges will apply). Agents are available Monday to Friday (08:00 – 16:00 local time, except holidays). TTY is also available within Canada at 1-866-335-3237.
Appendix A
Diamond Origin Attestation
Importer (Company or individual’s name):
Address:
Statement
This shipment contains:
☐ Rough diamond(s) greater than or equal to 1 carat
☐ Polished diamond(s) greater than or equal to 1 carat.
On behalf of [COMPANY NAME OR INDIVIDUAL NAME], I hereby attest that this shipment does not contain any diamonds that originated in Russia or are from any person in Russia, including being mined, processed or produced in Russia, and subsequently exported to a third country. I confirm that the contents of this attestation are accurate. I acknowledge that failure to comply may result in seizure of the goods and related measures under the Special Economic Measures Act and/or Customs Act, where applicable.
(Print name)
(Signature)
(Date)
To support my attestation, I have included the following documentation along with my declaration form to confirm non-Russian origin of the diamonds contained in this shipment.
Kimberley Process Certification:
☐ Kimberley Process Certificate with single origin (non Russian)
☐ Kimberley Process Certificate Mixed Origin associated with De Beers Diamond Trading Company (with invoice statement from De Beers)
☐ Kimberley Process Certificate Mixed Origin with additional evidence demonstrating non-Russian origin (e.g. transport document, waybill)
☐ Invoice
☐ Packing list
☐ Laboratory grading report
☐ Transport documentation (e.g. waybill document)
☐ G7 Certificate
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