The exportation of gemstones, diamonds, and jewellery from Sri Lanka falls under the joint jurisdiction of the National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA) and Sri Lanka Customs. It is important to distinguish between two separate NGJA functions: gem testing laboratory certificates and export clearance.
NGJA gem testing laboratory certificates, which provide gemmological identification and quality reports, are not legally mandated for every export shipment and can be obtained from any recognised laboratory, not exclusively NGJA. However, the NGJA export clearance process is mandatory for all legal gem exports.
All exporters must hold a valid Official Gem Dealers Licence issued by NGJA, register with the Export Services Division, and submit items for inspection with properly formatted commercial invoices that include the NGJA licence number, file number, F.O.B. value, and per-carat weights. Sri Lanka only permits the export of cut and polished gemstones; rough stones cannot be legally exported.
While gemmological certificates are not compulsory, they are highly recommended for commercial exports as international buyers typically expect documentation. This verifies identity, quality, and treatment status. For high-value stones, certificates from internationally recognised laboratories may command better prices. Special export categories, such as exhibition shipments or consignment-based exports, have additional documentation requirements.
