Kimberley Process (KP) Certificates are issued only to holders of valid Rough Diamond Trader Registrations maintained by the Director-General of Trade and Industry.

Under the Hong Kong Certification Scheme for rough diamonds, registered rough diamond traders can import / export rough diamonds from / to countries or places on the list of specified countries and places for which the Scheme is effective or permitted by the KP. Please refer to Schedule 7 to the Import and Export (General) Regulations (Cap. 60A). Any amendment to the list will be published in the Gazette and the Trade and Industry Department (TID) will further inform the trade through circular on its web portal (the most updated list).

Under Regulations 6C and 6D of the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60 of the Laws of Hong Kong), an importer must obtain a KP Certificate (Import) issued by TID before importing any consignment of rough diamonds while an exporter must obtain a KP Certificate (Export) issued by TID before exporting any consignment of rough diamonds.

The importer and exporter must comply with the Conditions of Issue specified at the back of the Certificate and any other Conditions of Issue as stipulated in relevant circulars and notices announced by TID that are in force at the time of issue of the Certificate.

Electronic Mode Submission

• E-Service through TID Website
• Access the above E-Service through the Trade Single Window.

Paper Mode Submission

• KP Certificate (Import)
  1. Download the KP Certificate (Import) Application Form [Form TID 503A].
  2. Lodge the duly completed KP Certificate (Import) Application Form to the Rough Diamonds and Ozone Depleting Substances Licensing Unit of TID at Room 1604, 16/F, Trade and Industry Tower, 3 Concorde Road, Kowloon City, Hong Kong. The application for KP Certificate (Import) or Application Form must be supported by a photocopy of the KP Certificate(s) issued by the Exporting Authority of the last country/place of provenance.

TID will inform the importer at the time of issuing a KP Certificate (Import) whether inspection of the consignment by the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) is required by stamping a chop on the KP Certificate (Import). For consignments requiring inspection, the importer has to make arrangement with C&ED for inspection of the consignment at the premises specified by him as soon as possible within seven working days after importation.

• KP Certificate (Export)
  1. Download the KP Certificate (Export) Application Form [Form TID 504A] .
  2. Lodge the duly completed KP Certificate (Export) Application Form to the Rough Diamonds and Ozone Depleting Substances Licensing Unit of TID at Room 1604, 16/F, Trade and Industry Tower, 3 Concorde Road, Kowloon City, Hong Kong. The application for KP Certificate (Export) must be supported by a photocopy of the relevant KP Certificate(s) (Import) issued by TID. The total carat weight of the rough diamonds to be exported should not exceed that covered by the supporting KP Certificate(s) (Import).

TID will indicate to the trader at the time of issuing a KP Certificate (Export) whether inspection of the consignment by C&ED is required by stamping a chop on the KP Certificate (Export) (all copies except the original). The exporter shall not effect the shipment of an export consignment in the absence of the Department's indication that inspection is not required or where inspection by C&ED is required, before the inspection. If inspection is required, the exporter shall make arrangement with C&ED, at least three working days before exportation, for inspection of the consignment at the premises specified by him.

Please click here for the guidance notes on how to complete the KP Certificate (Import / Export) Application Form.

The KP Certificate (Import) and KP Certificate (Export) issued by TID are valid for 28 days.

Extension of validity period may be granted, such as in the case of delay in shipment from the exporting country or place. Justifications and documentary evidence will be required to support the request as appropriate.

Currently, the processing time for application for KP Certificate (Import) and KP Certificate (Export) are 20 minutes and one clear working day after lodgment of the application the Certificate fee if the application form completed is in order. Traders who have genuine urgent need for the KP Certificate (Export) may make requests for instant processing of their applications in the form of a request letter or using the request form at Annex 1. (Normally, the processing time for each application is about 20 minutes). To facilitate the trade, each registered rough diamond trader can make up to seven requests for instant certification service each month. Traders may wish to know that the processing time may be longer during peak hours. A trader making more than one application at a time may also expect longer processing time.

Amendment of an Application for KP Certificate (Import / Export)

1. No erasure or correction fluid should be used on the application forms.
2. Errors should be clearly and tidily crossed out by putting 'XXX' over them.
3. All amendments, defacements, additions and deletions should be endorsed by initialing with date and stamping the applicant's company chop against them.

Amendment of a KP Certificate (Import / Export) after Issue

Any amendments of the Certificate after issue could only be made by TID upon receipt of written applications for amendment by the declared importers/exporters concerned.

Request for amending an issued Certificate will be considered by TID on a case-by-case basis. In general, the amendment should be minor and only if the change is not tantamount to substitution of a different consignment. All issued copies of the Certificate must be returned for amendment and relevant supporting documents may be required. For KP Certificate (Export), only minor amendments to the departure date and mode of shipment are normally allowed after effect of shipment.

KP Certificates which are not utilized for shipment within their validity period (i.e. 28 days from the date of issue) must be returned to TID for cancellation and a written request specifying the reasons for cancellation must be provided.