A practical guide to how BVC manages the end-to-end logistics of rough diamond imports — from mine offices abroad to India's diamond bourses.
130+
Countries Served
600+
Cities Across India
12,000+
Pincodes Covered
100%
Shipments Tracked End-To-End
Why this is harder than it looks
Rough diamonds sourced from the world's leading mines must travel through a tightly regulated chain of custody before they ever reach an Indian cutting and polishing unit. Behind every rough shipment lies a carefully orchestrated process — one that blends global logistics, world-class security, and regulatory precision at every stage.
BVC Brinks provides end-to-end rough diamond logistics, helping move rough diamonds safely from mines across the world to India while managing every step of the journey. A diamond's journey typically begins at mines in countries like South Africa, Botswana, Canada, Australia and Angola. From there, we collect shipments directly from the mine operator's office and handle the complete diamond shipping process to India — including secure packing, international transport, airport handling, and cross-border coordination.
Shipping rough diamonds to India involves strict regulatory processes and documentation. One of the most important requirements is the Kimberley Process (KP) certificate, which ensures that the diamonds are conflict-free and legally sourced. BVC Brinks assists mining companies and diamond importers in applying for the Kimberley Process certificate at the country of origin, ensuring compliance before shipment.
"A Rough Diamond Shipment Carries A Paper Trail That Must Be Complete, Correct, And Ready For Inspection At Every Stage — At Origin, In Transit, And On Arrival In India."
From there, BVC works closely with export customs authorities at origin and facilitates KP verification through GJEPC (Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council) upon arrival in India, ensuring smooth import clearance at key hubs like Mumbai and Surat. With full ownership of every step — from mine collection to final delivery — mining companies and importers gain a trusted partner who understands the complexities of this trade and ensures every shipment arrives safely and on time.
Approach Comparison
Most logistics companies handle diamonds the same way they handle any other cargo. Here is where that breaks down for international rough diamond imports — and how BVC's approach is different.
The mining company is left to navigate the KP certification process at the origin KP office on their own. Errors in the KP application go undetected until the shipment reaches Indian Customs.
BVC assists customers in applying for the Kimberley Process certificate at the KP office at origin. We help ensure the application is correctly completed before clearance and shipment.
Origin clearance is treated as the mining company's problem. Delays at origin cause the shipment to miss its air freight window, creating downstream delays at every stage.
BVC handles clearance at the origin customs offices — South Africa, Dubai, Belgium, Antwerp, Botswana, Canada, or Angola — before the shipment departs for India.
GJEPC is not notified promptly. KP approval is delayed. The shipment sits in customs while the importer chases approvals they should have initiated at origin.
GJEPC is notified instantly when the KP process is initiated at origin. By the time the shipment arrives in India, KP approval from GJEPC is already in progress. BVC connects with Panel members to expedite the process.
Documentation is incomplete or filed incorrectly. The import invoice, master house, manifest, or airway bill has discrepancies. The parcel is held and penalties accrue.
BVC supports in preparing all import documentation — KP certificate, import invoice, master house, manifest, and airway bill — filed via ICEGATE. Shipments move through customs without unnecessary holds.
Rough diamonds are handed over with a basic receipt. No continuous custody record exists from the mine office to the final destination. Gaps in documentation create compliance problems at the trading hub.
Every handover is documented. Hardtub box packaging is used for security and safety. BVC Brinks provides 100% door-to-door coverage as standard on every shipment. The receiver's identity is verified before delivery.
How It Works
Each stage of an international rough diamond shipment has its own paperwork, risks, and compliance requirements. Click each step to understand what happens and why it matters.
Brinks ensures secure transportation of rough diamonds from mine sites to the mines' designated origin offices.
Following this, BVC Brinks collects the shipments directly from these offices. Customers like De Beers, Botswana, Petra Diamonds, Gem Diamonds, Endiama, Lucara Diamond Corporation, Rio Tinto, Burgundy Diamond Mines — hand over the rough diamond shipment together with the Kimberley Process certificate to us at their designated offices.
BVC operates collections from mine offices in South Africa, Australia, Botswana, Canada, and Angola. We do not collect from mine sites directly. All pickups happen from the mines' official origin offices.
Origin Collection Locations
Brinks ensures secure transportation of rough diamonds from mine sites to the mines' designated origin offices.
Following this, BVC Brinks collects the shipments directly from these offices. Customers like De Beers, Botswana, Petra Diamonds, Gem Diamonds, Endiama, Lucara Diamond Corporation, Rio Tinto, Burgundy Diamond Mines — hand over the rough diamond shipment together with the Kimberley Process certificate to us at their designated offices.
BVC operates collections from mine offices in South Africa, Australia, Botswana, Canada, and Angola. We do not collect from mine sites directly. All pickups happen from the mines' official origin offices.
Origin Collection Locations
What BVC Brings
See the key ways BVC helps diamond businesses move, store, track, and manage high-value shipments with greater security and control.
01
We understand that a delayed or non-compliant shipment does not just cost money — it triggers penalties, interest loss, demurrage charges, and compliance consequences. Our team has deep experience across the international rough diamond import process from origin to Indian bourse.
02
Years of working with major mining companies in South Africa, Australia, Botswana, Canada, and Angola means we have established processes and relationships at every major origin office. We know how each location works and what each requires.
03
KP compliance is always mandatory, not optional. BVC Brinks manages the KP process at both origin and destination — assisting with the KP application at the origin KP office, coordinating GJEPC notification and approval in India, and working with customs department at every stage. There are no gaps in the KP chain.
Indian Regulatory Context
These are not optional. Getting any of these wrong can stop a shipment, result in penalties and demurrage, or create compliance consequences that take weeks to resolve.
Since November 2021, no rough diamond can be imported or exported in India without GJEPC registration. GJEPC is India's designated Kimberley Process authority. Membership must be current before any shipment moves. There are no exceptions.
Every shipment of rough diamonds must carry a valid KP certificate — applied for at the origin KP office and approved by GJEPC in India. BVC assists customers in the KP application process at origin and coordinates GJEPC notification and approval on the India side simultaneously.
All import declarations for rough diamonds entering India are filed through ICEGATE. BVC has registered clearing agents at both Bharat Diamond Bourse, Mumbai, and Surat Diamond Bourse. Bills of entry are filed through ICEGATE with the complete and correct documentation set.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) governs the import-export policy framework applicable to rough diamond shipments into India. All import documentation must comply with current DGFT requirements. BVC manages DGFT-compliant documentation as part of every shipment.
Shipments held at customs due to documentation errors or KP discrepancies are not just delayed — they attract penalties and demurrage charges. The longer a shipment sits in customs, the higher the demurrage. Correct documentation from the start is the only way to avoid these costs.
India's two main rough diamond trading hubs are the Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB) in Mumbai and the Surat Diamond Bourse (SDB). Both operate Special Notified Zones (SNZ) where rough diamonds can be imported, traded, and re-exported under Customs supervision. Shipments are filed through ICEGATE for clearance at these hubs.
Our Industries
Complete security, transparent tracking, and expert handling designed for cutting and polishing operations in India.
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Move diamonds between traders, offices, and bourses with complete security and accountability across India's trading hubs.
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End-to-end logistics for high-volume diamond distribution and wholesale trade across 130+ countries — fast, compliant, and in control.
View More...Everything you need to know about importing rough diamonds into India with BVC. Can't find your answer? Reach out and our team will help.
Ask Your QuestionRough diamond logistics involves the secure transportation, documentation, customs handling, and compliant movement of rough diamonds from international mining locations to trading hubs and manufacturing facilities in India.
We work with mining operators, exploration companies, and trading houses across India's diamond supply chain.
