Diamond Office

Diamond Office is the department that, in coordination with governmental authorities, supervises the Belgian diamond imports and exports. In addition, Diamond Office plays a crucial role in the campaigns to combat smuggling, money laundering and the trade in diamonds from conflict areas. All loose diamonds entering or exiting Belgium are required to be submitted to Diamond Office. As such it acts as the controlling body of the diamond sector, under the supervision of the Licensing Authority of the Federal Public Service Economy and the Customs Department of the Federal Public Service Finance, by the authority afforded to it by the Royal Decree of April 30, 2004. In these capacities, Diamond Office examines and verifies the classification, quantities and qualities of the diamonds submitted, and verifies that its findings correspond with those listed on the accompanying documents. Diamond Office assists members of the diamond trade in fulfilling all the legal requirements involved in the import and exports of diamonds, including licensing procedures. It oversees and coordinates security measures related to the import and export of diamonds. By centralising the operation of various government departments, Diamond Office has succeeded in reducing the cost and time of importing and exporting loose diamonds. However, it is not involved in the shipping of diamonds to or from Antwerp. Shipping arrangement are made by the members of the diamond trade themselves. Belgium's import and export control system, as executed by Diamond Office, has served as a model for similar agencies in countries around the world. In part for its efforts, the Belgian government and the Diamond Office have been recognized on numerous occasions by the United Nations, other countries and NGOs for their efforts in their struggle to end the trade in conflict diamonds.