Sierra Leone gold & diamond export procedures

Must hold a legitimate export licence as specified by the Mines & Minerals Act 2009.

Must give the Precious Minerals Trading Directorate 24 hours' notice to prepare for valuation and export documentation.

Goods must be presented per the classifications in export document "schedule B" (collected at the PMT Directorate, Bank of Sierra Leone building, 2nd floor, Siaka Stevens Street, Freetown).

The exporter declares the value of the goods in schedule B.

Goods must be accompanied by the exporter, or a nominee holding a processing-agent certificate.

Diamonds may only be exported to countries that are members of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS).

Diamonds imported into Sierra Leone must be accompanied by a Kimberley Process Certificate from the exporting country.

The highest of the three valuations (exporter's, Government valuer's and independent valuer's) determines the 3% export duty payable to Government, paid at the Bank of Sierra Leone.

Valuation is done in the presence of the licensed exporter (or processing agent), a Senior Mines Monitoring Officer and a Senior Customs Officer.

Exports to destinations outside the EU must be routed through the six designated countries: Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Germany, Romania and the UK.

Exports to EU countries must show evidence such as a flight itinerary.

After valuation, the goods are packed as directed, boxed, wrapped and sealed.

A Kimberley Process Certificate with a serial number is issued showing the valuation details, signed by the Director/Manager of PMT, the Senior Valuer and the Minister of Mines (or Deputy).