G7 Certificate vs GF Number: What Is the Difference?

> Important disclaimer: This article provides general information and is not legal, customs or sanctions-compliance advice. Eligibility and documentary requirements depend on the goods, their location, the transaction route and the applicable dates. Check the current EU legislation and instructions from the relevant authority before moving or declaring diamonds.

Quick answer

A G7 certificate or reference is connected to qualifying natural rough diamonds of known non-Russian origin that pass the relevant verification procedure when imported through the Antwerp Diamond Office. It is not issued to polished or synthetic diamonds.

A GF number serves a different purpose. It identifies qualifying grandfathered goods processed through the Belgian GF procedure. Depending on eligibility, those goods may be natural or synthetic and rough or polished. A GF number supports legacy status; it does not prove that the diamonds are non-Russian.

G7 versus GF at a glance

Why two different references exist

The G7 and GF mechanisms address two different situations.

The G7 verification route addresses qualifying natural rough diamonds entering the relevant supply chain with evidence supporting non-Russian mining origin.

Grandfathering addresses goods that existed before the relevant prohibition became applicable. Those goods can have Russian or unknown origin but may qualify for an exception when the conditions and historical evidence are satisfied.

The legal framework is principally contained in Article 3p of Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014. Grandfathering provisions were added through Council Regulation (EU) 2024/1745.

The identifiers must not be treated as two alternative names for the same process.

What is a G7 certificate?

In the Antwerp procedure, qualifying natural rough diamonds that pass the G7 verification process receive a G7 certificate or reference.

AWDC explains that:

• The goods must be natural rough diamonds.
• The relevant diamonds must be at least 0.50 carat.
• Their origin must be known and non-Russian.
• The verification occurs when the diamonds are imported through the Diamond Office.
• The resulting reference is recorded on the import declaration.
• No G7 certificate is issued for polished diamonds.
• No G7 certificate is issued for synthetic rough diamonds.
• No G7 certificate is issued merely because diamonds are exported.

See the current AWDC G7/EU sanctions FAQ.

The term “certificate” can create confusion because it does not refer to gemological grading. The G7 reference does not assign colour, clarity or cut grades.

What does the G7 reference look like?

AWDC describes the G7 certificate as a 35-digit reference recorded in box 44 of the relevant import declaration.

The important practical control is not memorising its length. It is preserving the exact reference without changing, shortening or retyping it incorrectly.

Where a G7 reference is supplied:

• Connect it to the correct rough parcel.
• Keep it with the import and verification records.
• Link it to later manufacturing or traceability records where applicable.
• Do not attach it to unrelated diamonds.
• Do not claim that every polished stone cut from a parcel has individually received a new G7 certificate.

Which diamonds do not receive a G7 certificate?

Under the current AWDC procedure, the following do not receive a new G7 certificate:

• Natural polished diamonds.
• Synthetic rough diamonds.
• Synthetic polished diamonds.
• Diamonds merely being exported.
• Grandfathered diamonds processed through the GF route.
• Natural rough diamonds outside the applicable G7 process.
• Goods that do not satisfy the non-Russian origin requirement.

An upstream G7 reference may still form part of the traceability history of a polished natural diamond. That does not mean the polished diamond itself received a G7 certificate.

Does G7 replace a Kimberley Process certificate?

No.

The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme regulates international trade in rough diamonds. Relevant rough-diamond imports still require the applicable Kimberley Process and customs documentation.

G7 verification adds a different origin-control function connected to the restrictions on Russian diamonds. The two systems may work together, but they are not interchangeable.

For mixed-origin rough parcels, use the separate Mixed-Origin Kimberley Process Certificate Guide.

What is a GF number?

GF refers to grandfathered goods.

A GF number is an identifier issued through the Belgian grandfathering procedure for goods that qualify under the applicable legacy-stock rules.

Unlike a G7 reference, a GF number:

• Does not establish non-Russian origin.
• Can apply to eligible goods of Russian or unknown origin.
• Can apply to qualifying rough or polished diamonds.
• Can apply to qualifying natural or synthetic diamonds.
• May cover goods outside the 0.50-carat G7 threshold.
• Depends on historical evidence and the conditions of the relevant exception.

AWDC describes the reference as “GF” followed by 33 digits, producing a 35-character identifier. It is issued by the Belgian FPS Economy through the applicable Diamond Office process and recorded in the customs documentation.

Grandfathering is a legal status, not merely an age description

A diamond does not qualify merely because it is old.

The EU grandfathering provisions distinguish between different situations, including:

1. Goods located in the EU before the relevant prohibition became applicable and later exported to a third country other than Russia.
2. Goods located, polished or manufactured in a third country other than Russia before the relevant prohibition became applicable.

The required evidence depends on:

• The product category.
• Whether the diamond is rough or polished.
• Whether it is natural or synthetic.
• Where it was physically located.
• When it was held, processed or manufactured.
• Which prohibition and application date apply.
• Whether the goods were later exported or re-imported.
• The customs procedure used.

The European Commission explains these distinctions in its FAQ on restrictions affecting diamonds.

Do not replace this fact-specific legal test with the simplified statement “anything owned before 2024 is grandfathered.”

Why does 31 December 2023 appear in AWDC guidance?

For Belgian-registered diamond companies using the stock-declaration-based procedure, AWDC refers to inventory declared for the year ending 31 December 2023.

This date supports the Belgian administrative mechanism for proving that relevant stock existed before the first diamond restrictions took effect on 1 January 2024.

However, the wider EU legislation refers to the date on which the relevant prohibition became applicable. Different product categories and thresholds entered into force at different times.

Therefore:

• 31 December 2023 is important for the relevant Belgian stock-declaration procedure.
• It should not be presented as the only possible legal date for every product and grandfathering scenario.
• Transaction-specific evidence and the current law must still be checked.

What evidence may support grandfathering?

Depending on the scenario, relevant dated evidence may include:

• Stock declarations.
• Inventory records.
• Purchase invoices.
• Consignment records.
• Customs documents.
• Transport documents.
• Date-stamped grading reports.
• Insurance schedules.
• Inheritance or estate records.
• Records showing where the goods were physically located.
• Evidence of when polished or manufactured goods reached their completed state.
• Documents identifying the same goods on later export or re-import.

A grading report dated before a prohibition may be useful evidence that the diamond existed at that time. It does not necessarily prove who possessed it, where it was located or whether every condition of the exception is satisfied.

Is obtaining a GF number always mandatory?

No. This distinction is important.

The European Commission states that registration in the grandfathering registry is optional. Depending on the facts, subsequent importation of eligible grandfathered goods may also be supported through documentary evidence.

A business may choose the GF route because the issued reference can simplify identification and later re-import. However:

• A GF number is not the only conceivable way to establish grandfathered status.
• Possessing old records does not automatically establish eligibility.
• Registering goods does not eliminate the need to preserve supporting documentation.
• The appropriate route depends on the transaction and authority instructions.

Do not tell every owner of an old diamond that they must obtain a GF number.

Can polished diamonds receive a GF number?

Yes, when they qualify under the grandfathering rules and follow the applicable process.

This is one of the clearest differences between G7 and GF:

• A polished diamond does not receive a new G7 certificate.
• A qualifying grandfathered polished diamond may receive a GF reference.

The same distinction applies to synthetic goods. Synthetic rough diamonds do not receive G7 certificates, but qualifying grandfathered synthetic goods may be handled through the GF procedure.

Is there a minimum size for GF goods?

AWDC states that its grandfathering process does not apply the same general size restriction as the G7 route. A GF number may therefore be issued for qualifying goods of different sizes.

That does not mean every small diamond requires grandfathering. The need for an exception depends on whether the goods fall within the relevant restriction and whether the proposed transaction requires the status to be demonstrated.

The correct wording is:

“AWDC’s GF process can cover qualifying goods without the G7 route’s 0.50-carat minimum.”

Do not state:

“All diamonds of every size must receive a GF number.”

Who issues G7 and GF references?

Within the Antwerp procedure:

A diamond dealer, jeweller, grading laboratory or retailer cannot create its own G7 or GF number.

If a supplier provides a reference:

• Copy it exactly.
• Request the connected commercial and customs records.
• Confirm that the reference belongs to the relevant parcel or goods.
• Investigate inconsistencies.
• Do not treat an unverified number in an email as sufficient evidence.

G7, GF, DDS and grading reports answer different questions

None of these documents automatically replaces all the others.

For the polished-diamond declaration, use the EU Diamond Due Diligence Statement Guide. Under the amended EU legislation, the relevant traceability requirement for natural polished diamonds under CN code 7102 39 00 applies from 24 April 2026.

Practical G7 verification checklist

When a supplier provides a G7 reference:

• Confirm that the underlying goods were natural rough diamonds.
• Confirm that they met the applicable size requirement.
• Confirm that the reference arose through the recognised import-verification route.
• Record the complete 35-digit reference.
• Connect it to the correct customs and parcel records.
• Confirm that it has not been attached to unrelated polished goods.
• Retain upstream references when relevant to later traceability.
• Do not describe the reference as a gemological grade.
• Escalate unexplained discrepancies.

Practical GF verification checklist

When a supplier provides a GF number:

• Confirm that the goods are being treated as grandfathered.
• Identify whether they are rough or polished.
• Identify whether they are natural or synthetic.
• Record the complete “GF” plus 33-digit reference.
• Confirm that it relates to the correct shipment or goods.
• Request the available historical evidence.
• Check the relevant possession, location, processing or manufacturing date.
• Check which prohibition date applies.
• Confirm that the goods were not held in Russia where the exception excludes them.
• Preserve the reference in the inventory and transaction records.
• Do not describe GF as evidence of non-Russian mining origin.
• Escalate uncertain eligibility.

Example situations

These examples are illustrative. They are not transaction-specific legal conclusions.

Common mistakes

Asking for a G7 certificate for every polished diamond

Polished diamonds do not receive new G7 certificates. Ask what origin and import documentation supports the polished diamond and whether an upstream G7 reference exists where relevant.

Treating GF as non-Russian certification

A GF number may relate to eligible Russian or unknown-origin legacy goods. Its function is to support grandfathering, not non-Russian origin.

Calling every old diamond grandfathered

Age is not enough. The relevant dates, location, possession, processing history and evidence must be established.

Assuming GF registration is always compulsory

The EU framework permits documentary-evidence routes in relevant circumstances. Registration in the GF registry is described as optional.

Confusing G7 with GIA

G7 relates to rough-diamond origin verification. GIA is a gemological laboratory. Similar letters do not mean similar functions.

Treating the number as the complete compliance file

The identifier should remain connected to invoices, customs records, stock references and supporting evidence.

Frequently asked questions

Final guidance

The distinction can be summarised simply:

G7 means qualifying natural rough diamonds with verified non-Russian origin.

GF means qualifying legacy goods supported under the grandfathering framework.

The underlying procedures are more detailed than that summary. Always preserve the complete reference, connect it to the correct goods and retain the supporting evidence.

Dalila Diamonds can assist trade buyers with Antwerp natural-diamond sourcing, grading-report references and available commercial or origin documentation. Questions about legal eligibility, customs declarations or GF registration should be directed to the relevant authority or qualified adviser.

10. Required Internal Links

Also link to this page from:

• The EU sanctions checklist.
• The DDS guide.
• The Diamond Office import guide.
• The aggregation guide.
• The mixed-origin KP guide.
• Any dedicated future grandfathered-stock page.
• Appropriate wholesale compliance resources.