International News
GIA Suspends Acceptance of Overseas Submissions Requiring US Shipment
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has temporarily suspended the acceptance of goods at its international laboratories that require shipping to the US for services. This decision comes in response to new tariffs introduced by President Donald Trump’s administration.
In a recent communication to clients, GIA advised customers outside the US to refrain from sending items directly to its American labs for grading or other services. The institute explained that a baseline 10% tariff now applies to all goods imported into the US, with additional duties imposed on items from countries such as India, South Africa, and Thailand starting April 9. These tariffs affect gems sent for laboratory services, even if they are not intended for sale.
“There is a baseline 10% tariff on goods being imported into the US,” the GIA explained. “Additional tariffs for products from specific countries, including India, South Africa, Thailand and others, will begin on April 9. These tariffs will apply to gems being shipped to a GIA laboratory in the US, even if only for laboratory services and not for sale.”
The US recently implemented steep “reciprocal” tariffs, including a 27% import duty on Indian goods and 20% on those from the EU. While a Temporary Importation Under Bond (TIB) provision exists to exempt goods not for sale, industry experts have cast doubt on its applicability, asserting there are no valid exemptions for imported goods.
GIA acknowledged the potential confusion caused by these regulatory changes and urged clients to ensure compliance with US import laws. The organization is assessing the situation and considering operational adjustments to maintain service continuity at its international labs. Meanwhile, clients are responsible for any tariff charges incurred when shipping to GIA’s US locations, based on the country where the diamond was substantially transformed.
International News
De Beers Group 2025 Sustainability Report : Highlights Progress Across Its “Building Forever” Sustainability Framework
The Report Details Key Performance Metrics and Strategic Achievements Spanning Climate Action, Biodiversity Conservation, Community Livelihoods, and Diamond Provenance.
De Beers Group has published its 2025 Sustainability Report, outlining measurable progress across its “Building Forever” sustainability framework. The report details key performance metrics and strategic achievements spanning climate action, biodiversity conservation, community livelihoods, and diamond provenance.
Accelerating Environmental Stewardship and Climate Action
De Beers reported a 14% reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon emissions since 2021, driven by ongoing operational efficiencies and renewable energy integration.
In biodiversity and nature conservation, the company continues to manage over 375,000 acres of land dedicated to wildlife protection across Southern Africa. Furthermore, through its Okavango Eternal partnership, De Beers supported the formal designation of Angola’s first Ramsar Wetland, expanding regional conservation impact across critical eco-systems.
Fostering Sustainable Livelihoods and Economic Development
Demonstrating its commitment to economic capacity building in host communities:
- Job Creation Multiplier: De Beers supported 2.6 offsite jobs for every onsite position created within its operations in 2025.
- Women’s Entrepreneurship: An additional 500 women completed training through the EntreprenHER program during the reporting period, bringing the total number of women entrepreneurs supported to over 3,900 since 2016.
- Socio-Economic Investment: The Group committed US$70 million to the Diamonds for Development Fund in Botswana to drive long-term economic diversification and local growth.
Advancing Industry Provenance and Best Practices
To ensure end-to-end supply chain transparency, De Beers expanded its proprietary Tracr™ platform, which has now registered more than five million individual rough diamonds directly from origin. Simultaneously, the company marked the 20th anniversary of its Best Practice Principles (BPP) program, reinforcing rigorous ethical, social, and environmental standards across the diamond value chain.
Future Strategic Priorities
Looking ahead, De Beers will focus on scaling renewable energy infrastructure to achieve further reductions across Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, expanding land areas protected for nature, and accelerating the adoption of Tracr™ across the broader diamond pipeline.
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