Conflict Diamonds: Agency Actions Needed to Enhance Implementation of the Clean Diamond Trade Act

The relevant agencies informed GAO in July 2008 that, to improve the accuracy of U.S. rough diamond trade data, the Department of State and the U.S. Census Bureau have worked to improve U.S. diamond industry reporting of Kimberley Process certificates. Specifically, they have reviewed Kimberley Process rough diamond trade data monthly, conducted outreach to diamond importers and exporters and worked with jewelry and industry trade associations to inform diamond companies of their obligations to fax Kimberley Process certificates to the U.S. Census Bureau. Their rough diamond trade data improved, with revised U.S. imports exceeding exports in both 2006 and 2007. For example, in 2006, U.S. rough diamond imports totaled 4,313,930 carats worth $816.85 million, while rough diamond exports totaled 3,443, 105 carats worth $544.0 million. In 2007, rough diamond imports totaled 5,307,994 carats worth $896.65 million, while rough diamond exports totaled 3,901,904 carats worth $568.95 million. The U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control issued new regulations May 21, 2008, to require U.S. rough diamond importers and exporters to file formal entry summaries for all imports. Companies also must file an annual report of imports, exports and stockpiles with the U.S. Department of State.

The relevant agencies informed GAO in July 2008 that, to improve the accuracy of U.S. rough diamond trade data, the Department of State and the U.S. Census Bureau have worked to improve U.S. diamond industry reporting of Kimberley Process certificates. Specifically, they have reviewed Kimberley Process rough diamond trade data monthly, conducted outreach to diamond importers and exporters and worked with jewelry and industry trade associations to inform diamond companies of their obligations to fax Kimberley Process certificates to the U.S. Census Bureau. Their rough diamond trade data improved, with revised U.S. imports exceeding exports in both 2006 and 2007. For example, in 2006, U.S. rough diamond imports totaled 4,313,930 carats worth $816.85 million, while rough diamond exports totaled 3,443, 105 carats worth $544.0 million. In 2007, rough diamond imports totaled 5,307,994 carats worth $896.65 million, while rough diamond exports totaled 3,901,904 carats worth $568.95 million. The U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control issued new regulations May 21, 2008, to require U.S. rough diamond importers and exporters to file formal entry summaries for all imports. Companies also must file an annual report of imports, exports and stockpiles with the U.S. Department of State.

In early 2007, CBP began conducting examination of rough and polished diamond shipments on a periodic basis using a random selection process. From January to October 2007, for example, CBP conducted a total of 289 exams. The examination includes a full document review, an examination of packaging and verification of contents. CBP seized 12 rough diamond shipments in 2007. The seized shipments ranged in size from 7 to 11,658 carats. Of these seizures, six cases were administratively forfeited, two cases went through judicial forfeiture and two were closed when it was determined that the diamonds were polished.

Relevant agencies also informed GAO in July 2008 that, to enhance the U.S. process for confirming the receipt of U.S. imports with foreign exporting authorities, Customs and Border Protection now provides the Department of State with quarterly reports of rough diamond imports. The Department of State forwards confirmations to foreign exporting authorities. Also, to track receipt of U.S. rough diamond exports, the U.S. Census Bureau began tracking receipt of confirmation of U.S. exports to other KP Participants. Finally, on May 21, 2008, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control issued new rough diamond regulations to enhance the U.S. government's oversight of rough diamond imports and exports.

Relevant agencies also informed GAO in July 2008 that, to enhance the U.S. process for confirming the receipt of U.S. imports with foreign exporting authorities, Customs and Border Protection now provides the Department of State with quarterly reports of rough diamond imports. The Department of State forwards confirmations to foreign exporting authorities. Also, to track receipt of U.S. rough diamond exports, the U.S. Census Bureau began tracking receipt of confirmation of U.S. exports to other KP Participants. Finally, on May 21, 2008, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control issued new rough diamond regulations to enhance the U.S. government's oversight of rough diamond imports and exports.

In July 2008, the Department of State said it had developed an oversight plan and asked the USKPA to develop its own plan to monitor licensees. The plans include regular visits to USKPA licensees, meetings with the USKPA board and telephone and email communications with the USKPA recordkeeping staff. USKPA monthly reports are reviewed for sequential gaps and the U.S. Census Bureau confirms that USKPA licensees are routinely faxing copies of certificates for data collection purposes. USKPA monthly reports are compared to import confirmation information received from foreign importing authorities.

In July 2008, the Department of State said it had developed an oversight plan and asked the USKPA to develop its own plan to monitor licensees. The plans include regular visits to USKPA licensees, meetings with the USKPA board and telephone and email communications with the USKPA recordkeeping staff. USKPA monthly reports are reviewed for sequential gaps and the U.S. Census Bureau confirms that USKPA licensees are routinely faxing copies of certificates for data collection purposes. USKPA monthly reports are compared to import confirmation information received from foreign importing authorities.

In July 2008, the Department of State notified GAO of several actions it has taken to enhance the impact of U.S. diamond-related technical assistance to diamond producing countries mainly in the West Africa region. For example, the Department of State has directed Economic Support Funds to Liberia to develop and implement a system of internal controls for rough diamond exports. The Department of State and USAID has also supported a pilot project to define and strengthen property rights for alluvial diamond miners in Guinea and Central African Republic. State said this activity will strengthen weak regional land administration and the rights registration system, develop enforcement mechanisms for the protection of land tenure and property rights, develop conflict mitigation mechanisms, and create incentives to bring informally mined diamonds into formal export channels. According to State, the pilot project includes a regional component that will examine ways to bring informal and illicit cross-border trade into Kimberley Process channels. U.S. embassies in Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia have supported the Mano River Union states' efforts to provide regional harmonization of tariff and taxation policies. The United States has supported technical experts at the Liberian Bureau of Customs and Excise and the Ministry of Finance to help the Liberian government advance tariff and taxation issues. The Department of State and USAID have also supported the efforts of the Economic Community of West African States to implement a common external tariff and increase regional economic integration.