Exemption of European polished diamonds from US customs duties again

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Brussels, July 24 / WAM / The Antwerp World Diamond Center (AWDC) announced its success in securing an exemption for natural diamonds polished in Europe from US customs duties, bringing the duty rate back to zero percent, six months after imposing a general import duty of 10 percent.

The center explained that the exemption was approved for the first time within the trade agreement between the European Union and the United States, based on the fact that the United States does not mine or polish diamonds, and therefore there is no local industry that needs protection from European imports.

Last February, the administration of US President Donald Trump reimposed a general import duty of 10%.

For her part, Karin Rentmeesters, CEO of the center, confirmed that the decision strengthens the city of Antwerp’s position as a major European center for diamond polishing, noting that the sector’s exports to the United States amounted to 2.1 billion euros of polished diamonds during the year 2024.