Trading rough diamonds, accountably.

Operating under Qatar's competent authority for the Kimberley Process, the Exchange ensures every rough diamond entering or leaving the country is sealed, certified and conflict-free.

Learn more
60+
participants in the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme
86
countries represented, including the European Union as a single member
99.8%
of global rough diamond production covered, with conflict diamonds at less than 0.1%

The Kimberley
Process.

The Kimberley Process (KP) is a multilateral trade regime established in 2003 with the goal of preventing the flow of conflict diamonds. The core of this regime is the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), under which participant states implement safeguards on shipments of rough diamonds and certify them as conflict-free.

Underpinned by a United Nations mandate, the KPCS is implemented through the national legislation of each participant. Members must satisfy minimum requirements, establish institutions and import-export controls, commit to transparent statistics, trade only with fellow members, and certify shipments as conflict-free.

Conflict diamonds, also known as blood diamonds, are rough diamonds used by rebel movements or their allies to finance armed conflicts aimed at undermining legitimate governments. The KP works in partnership with the United Nations to prevent these diamonds from entering the legal market.

From Membership
to Global Influence.

Five years, four milestones. Qatar's path from accession to becoming a strategic node in the global rough diamond trade

2021Moscow Plenary

Qatar joins the Kimberley Process

Following a unanimous vote at the Kimberley Process Plenary in Moscow, Qatar becomes a participant, reaffirming its commitment to transparent and conflict-free diamond trade

2024SIX WORKING GROUPS

Shaping international standards

Qatar joins six core Kimberley Process working groups: CRP, WGS, CPC, WGDE, WGM and WGAAP, moving from observer to active contributor in the scheme's rule-setting bodies.

2025GRADING LABORATORY

A Dimond Laboratory

Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZ) opens a dedicated grading laboratory at Ras Bufontas, with detection capability for laboratory-grown stones to anchor technical transparency.

2026EXCHANGE OPENS

The Exchange opens at Ras Bufontas

The Qatar Diamond Exchange opens as the sole legitimate entry and exit point for rough diamonds under the KPCS, connected directly to Hamad International Airport.

Step-by-Step
Trader Compliance.

For traders operating in Qatar, compliance with the Kimberley Process follows a defined path. Five obligations sit between an intent to trade and a settled, certified shipment.

Step 01

Register and licence your trading entity.

Any company intending to trade rough diamonds in Qatar registers with QFZ, the country's designated competent authority for the Kimberley Process. Licensing covers establishment in the free zone and a specific permission for rough diamond trading activity

QFZ Free Zone Licence Rough Diamond Permit
Step 02

Declare any existing rough diamond stock.

Persons or entities in Qatar holding rough diamonds at the time of registration submit a Stock Declaration Form covering all pre-existing inventory, whether personal or commercial. This applies regardless of whether the holder intends to apply for a trading licence.

Stock Declaration Form
Step 03

Apply for a certificate per shipment.

A valid Kimberley Process Certificate must accompany every cross-border movement of rough diamonds, whether import, export or transit. Applications are processed by QFZ as Qatar's Importing and Exporting Authority under the KPCS, and certificates are issued shipment by shipment.

KP certificate per shipment Cross-Border Movement
Step 04

Ship sealed, and only to KP participants.

All consignments of rough diamonds move in tamper-proof sealed bags from origin to destination, and trade is restricted to counterparties in Kimberley Process participant countries. The current list covers 86 countries through 60 administrative authorities, including the EU.

Tamper-Proof Seal 86 Participant Countries
Step 05

Maintain records and ongoing reporting.

Traders keep accurate records of all rough diamond transactions for periodic audit and reporting, in line with KPCS requirements and Qatar's executive regulations on the supervision of import, export and transit of rough diamonds. Records must be available to QFZ on request

Transaction Ledger Periodic Reporting

Frequently Asked
Questions.

KPCS membership enables your company to legally import, export and trade rough diamonds in Qatar. Complete the application below; the KP office at Qatar Diamond Exchange responds within two business days

Certificates

All rough diamonds traded internationally between KP participant countries must be accompanied by a valid Kimberley Process certificate to verify they are conflict-free. The KP governs the following HS codes:

  • 7102.10, unsorted
  • 7102.21, industrial
  • 7102.31, non-industrial

Polished diamonds do not require a KP certificate.

Compliance

Conflict diamonds, also known as blood diamonds, are rough diamonds used by rebel movements or their allies to finance armed conflicts aimed at undermining legitimate governments. The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme was created in 2003 specifically to prevent these diamonds from entering the legitimate supply chain.

Stock

Yes. Any person or entity in the State of Qatar in possession of rough diamonds (whether for personal or commercial purposes) is required to register their current rough diamond stock by submitting a Stock Declaration Form. This applies regardless of whether the entity intends to apply to become a licensee.

Certificates

No. Synthetic and laboratory-grown diamonds do not require a Kimberley Process certificate. The KPCS applies only to natural rough diamonds.

Certificates

The Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZ) is the sole competent authority responsible for issuing Kimberley Process certificates in the State of Qatar. QFZ manages all import, export and transit of rough diamonds under the KPCS, operating through the Qatar Diamond Exchange at Ras Bufontas Free Zone.

Compliance

Participants are states or regional economic integration organisations (currently the European Union) that have met the minimum requirements of the KPCS and are eligible to trade in rough diamonds with one another. Participants are often referred to as members.

Observers are industry and civil society groups that monitor the certification scheme's effectiveness and provide technical and administrative expertise. The four main observers are the World Diamond Council, the Civil Society Coalition, the Diamond Development Initiative and the African Diamond Producers Association.

Operations

The shipment will be seized, and non-compliance will be reported to the relevant authorities for action under the provisions of Qatari law and the executive regulations on the supervision of import, export and transit of rough diamonds.

Certificates

No KP certificate is required. Once rough diamonds are set into jewellery, they are classified as jewellery and fall outside the scope of the KPCS.

Compliance

The System of Warranties is an industry self-regulation programme that complements the Kimberley Process. It requires professional buyers and sellers of rough diamonds, polished diamonds and jewellery set with diamonds to include a warranty statement on B2B invoices and memos each time a diamond changes hands.

The upgraded SoW launched in 2021 also requires compliance with World Diamond Council guidelines on human rights, anti-money laundering and anti-corruption practices.

Certificates

Rough diamonds above one millimetre in size must be certified by the Kimberley Process. A KP certificate is not required for diamonds smaller than one millimetre.

Resources

The following resources may be useful:

Operations

For hand-carried rough diamonds, the shipment will be transported by a licensed courier company to the Qatar Diamond Exchange at Ras Bufontas Free Zone and will remain in the Exchange's custody until customs formalities are completed at the Free Zone Customs Station.

Questions before you apply?

The Kimberley Process office at the Qatar Diamond Exchange is here to help with eligibility, documentation and the application itself.

Email the KP office