Block Burmese Jade Act Takes Effect in US

The Tom Lantos Block Burmese Jade Act of 2008 that forces all U.S. jewelers who import and export non-Burmese rubies and jadeite to conform to specified mandatory requirements went into effect on Monday, the Jewelers Vigilance Committee said in a statement.

According to the regulations, shipments of rubies and jadeite from non-Burmese sources must use specific Harmonized Tariff System (HTS) codes when entering the U.S. and include full records related to purchase, manufacture, and shipment of non-Burmese goods for five years.

Jadeite and rubies of Burmese origin were banned from import into the U.S. on September 29, 2008.

The importation ban does not concern goods imported for personal use, or sales of any inventory of Burmese jadeite or rubies already in the U.S.