Mandatory AES reporting set for rough diamonds
Starting Oct. 20, the U.S. government will require exporters of rough diamonds to report their shipment information electronically in the Automated Export System (AES).
The Census Bureau, which collects and compiles export data from AES for U.S. trade statistics, has amended the Foreign Trade Statistics Regulations to reflect the mandates of the Clean Diamond Trade Act. The Act implements the so-called “Kimberley Process Certification Scheme” established in 2000 by the United Nations General Assembly.
International concern has been raised in recent years about the use funds generated from sales of rough diamonds to support bloody civil wars in Africa.
