Canadian jewellers can buy loose polished lab-grown diamonds from India without paying import duty, according to Canadian trade press (2026). Finished jewellery from India pays 8.5%. Sourcing loose stones and melee from a Surat manufacturer, then setting them in Canada, avoids that cost. Confirm classification with your customs broker.

*Written by the Sheladiya Diamond team, Surat, manufacturing CVD lab-grown diamonds since 2017. Last updated 2 November 2026.*

Why do loose stones and jewellery have different duty in Canada?

Canada treats the two products differently. Per Canadian Jeweller (August 2026):

  • Polished diamonds (tariff item 7102.39) enter Canada duty-free from all origins.
  • Finished jewellery (heading 7113) from India pays 8.5% under the MFN rate. India's preferential treatment was withdrawn in 2015.
  • Jewellery from partners under CETA, CUSMA and CPTPP can enter free.

Canada has no trade agreement with India at this time. So the duty gap on jewellery is unlikely to close soon, though we have not verified the status of any Canada-India negotiations.

What does 8.5% mean in practice?

On a C$50,000 jewellery order from India, the estimated duty is about C$4,250. That is before taxes and freight. The same value bought as loose stones and set by your own bench or local manufacturer carries no duty at the border, if classified under 7102.39.

For a retailer with a working bench, the case is simple. Buy stones from India, keep the setting and finishing margin in Canada.

What are lab-grown diamonds selling for in Canada in 2026?

Canadian Jeweller's Q2 2026 report gives this wholesale context:

| Measure | Q2 2026 |
|---|---|
| 1 ct IGI-certified CVD round | about USD 350-600 per carat (CAD 490-840) |
| Lab-grown wholesale, overall | down 13% year on year |
| 1 ct rounds | up about 1% year on year, the first firming |
| 1.5-1.99 ct | down 11% year on year |

The pattern matters for buying. The market has fallen sharply, but the 1 ct bridal size has steadied. Larger stones still show price pressure. Treat these figures as a market band, not a quote. Actual prices depend on colour, clarity, cut and certificate.

Our own per-carat rates are on the price list. For help reading it, see our guide to how to read a trade price list.

Which stones suit Canadian retailers?

We supply polished lab-grown diamonds in round and fancy shapes, from calibrated melee to larger centre stones, sorted and matched to your requirement. Common Canadian needs:

  • Bridal centre stones: 1 ct and near-1 ct rounds and ovals with a grading report.
  • Melee for halos, bands and pavé: calibrated by sieve size. See our melee sieve and weight guide.
  • Matched pairs for earrings, covered in our matched pairs guide.

Is IGI certification available?

Yes. We supply certified and non-certified stones. Certified stones come with grading reports from IGI, GIA or GCAL. For centre stones, a report lets you and your customer verify carat, colour, clarity and cut. For small melee, parcels are usually sold sorted by size, colour and clarity range rather than individually certified.

Which labs your Canadian customers prefer is not something we have verified. Ask your own clients, then specify the lab on your enquiry.

How do I order from Surat?

1. Write your specification. Shape, size, colour, clarity, quantity and certification.
2. Send it to us through the trade enquiry form, by email or on WhatsApp.
3. Receive availability and pricing from our team.
4. Confirm shipping and import paperwork with your customs broker before you pay.

Our quote checklist lists every detail that speeds up a reply.

What about minimum orders and lead times?

We do not publish a fixed minimum order quantity or lead time on the website, and they depend on the product. [NEED: MOQ and lead times for loose stones and melee to Canada, confirm with the sales team.] Ask when you enquire, and state your deadline up front.

Do I still need a customs broker?

Yes. The duty position above comes from trade-press reporting, not a binding ruling. Classification, origin documents, GST/HST and any changes to tariffs should be confirmed with a licensed Canadian customs broker before each import. Rules can change, and a stone set into a mount may be classified differently from a loose one.

Frequently asked questions

Do Canadian jewellers pay duty on loose lab-grown diamonds from India?
Reported as duty-free under tariff item 7102.39. Verify with your broker.

Is Indian jewellery duty-free in Canada?
No. It pays 8.5% MFN duty, according to Canadian Jeweller (2026).

Can I order custom jewellery from you instead?
Yes, we make custom jewellery and private-label collections. Expect the 8.5% duty on finished pieces entering Canada.

What is a 1 ct lab-grown diamond worth wholesale?
The Q2 2026 band for IGI CVD rounds was about USD 350-600 per carat.

Start a trade enquiry

If you buy loose stones or melee for a Canadian store or workshop, send us your specification. We will reply with availability and pricing. Contact our trade team.

*Sources: Canadian Jeweller, "Canada-India jewellery trade agreement tariff" (21 Aug 2026) and "Lab-grown diamond prices Canada Q2 2026". Duty information is general and not customs advice.*