The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is set to introduce stricter import regulations for diamonds in April 2025 as part of its ongoing efforts to enforce sanctions on Russian goods. The new measures, implemented through the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE), will require importers to submit additional data on diamond shipments, ensuring compliance with Executive Order 14114.

Under the updated rules, importers must declare the Country of Mining for all applicable diamond imports. This requirement aims to prevent Russian-mined diamonds from entering the U.S. market through third-party countries. The CBP is also introducing a new self-certification requirement, mandating importers to confirm that their diamonds do not originate from Russia. This certification must be submitted through the Document Image System - DIS using the newly designated document code CBP167, replacing the previous generic document label.

The changes reflect growing international efforts to curb the trade of Russian diamonds, which have faced increasing scrutiny since the country’s invasion of Ukraine. The U.S. government, in coordination with global partners, has sought to tighten loopholes that allow Russian diamonds to be processed and sold under different country labels.

To ensure smooth implementation, CBP is working closely with trade stakeholders and has updated its ACE Cargo Release Implementation Guide. Importers are encouraged to review the revised guidelines and participate in CBP’s biweekly trade support calls, where officials will address technical and policy-related questions.

The new rules will take effect in April 2025, with the self-certification document requirement becoming mandatory from 27th January 2025. CBP has advised importers to prepare for these changes and ensure full compliance to avoid delays or enforcement actions.