The contrast is a brand created by the manufacturer itself or attributed by INCM – Imprensa Nacional Casa da Moeda (Portuguese Mint).

According to the Judicial Regime of Goldsmithery and Contrasts (RJOC – Law 98/2015, amended and republished by DL 120/2007) only the release for free circulation and consumption is subject to contrasting (articles 72 and 74 RJOC), consequently if it is a release for free circulation with immediate dispatch of the goods to another Member State (“regime 42”) there is no release for consumption in Portugal, so the goods will not be subject to these procedures.

The INCM Assay Offices ensure the necessary consumer protection and the fair competition between the different economic agents by guaranteeing the contrasting rings in gold and/or precious metal alloys.

As for a private individual purchasing a piece of jewellery in a non-EU market, when it arrives at Customs, is obliged to send an email to the Contrast detailing the article that is importing and requesting authorisation for its legalisation. After the reply from the Contrast, which will be made directly to the importer, the importer must contact the Official Customs Broker and present the authorisation granted. After the physical verification of the merchandise by the customs authorities, the package must be closed with a special Tax authority ribbon in order to be sent to the Contrast. This procedure is identical in case of an online jewellery purchase.

Kimberley Certificate

It is also worth mentioning that if a piece of jewellery contains diamonds there is a certificate – the Kimberley Certificate – without which the diamonds cannot even be returned, but will be immediately impounded by Customs. This is a process for certifying the origin of diamonds designed to prevent the buying and selling of blood diamonds, that is, diamonds originating from areas of conflict and human rights abuses.