A Canadian Kimberley Process Certificate is required for exporting rough diamonds from Canada if the diamonds fall under subheadings 7102.10, 7102.21 or 7102.31 in the schedule to the Customs Tariff. The customs authorities in both Canada and the destination country will require this certificate to verify that the Canadian exporter is meeting all the requirements of the international Kimberley Process understanding.

To obtain a Canadian Kimberley Process Certificate, exporters need to follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Contact the Kimberley Process Office at Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) for an Application Form

The Canadian Kimberley Process Certificate Application form can be mailed to you or provided electronically. Call, write or e-mail your request for an application form to the Kimberley Process Office.

Step 2: Complete and Submit the Kimberley Process Certificate Application Form

Complete the application form in accordance with its accompanying completion guide. The application requires information about the value of the shipment, its weight, and the name and address of the exporter and the person to whom the exporter is sending the rough diamonds.

Submit the completed application form to the Kimberley Process Office at NRCan by courier, mail, fax or on-line.

Step 3: Obtain Your Canadian Kimberley Process Certificate

Upon receipt of a completed application form, the Canadian Kimberley Process Certificate will be issued, normally within 2 business days. Certificates obtained from NRCan are valid for 60 days and cannot be extended. Each and every shipment of rough diamonds requires a distinct Canadian Kimberley Process Certificate, although a single shipment consisting of several containers requires only one certificate. Each certificate will have a unique serial number issued by the Kimberley Process Office.

Step 4: Prepare Diamonds for Shipping

Canadian legislation requires seal numbers on containers which correspond to the seal numbers listed on the certificate. In addition, Canada's regulations match the international standards set out by the Kimberley Process for the shipping, handling and packaging of rough diamonds. Any open packaging will be considered non-compliant and may result in the shipment being detained or seized at the border. Information about the regulations is available on the Kimberley Process web site.

Step 5: Presenting Your Certificate/Making a Declaration

Every exporter of rough diamonds will be responsible for presenting a Canadian Kimberley Process Certificate at the time of export. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) will stamp an export declaration attached to the certificate. Exporters must then forward the declaration to the Kimberley Process Office at NRCan within seven days from the date of export.

The Canadian Certificate itself must accompany the shipment of rough diamonds from Canada to the Customs Office of the destination country. At the destination customs point, you should enquire about the procedures to be followed in that country.