According to reports, Russia will be lowering import duties from 20 percent to 15 percent on a wide range of goods related to the jewellery industry including unsorted rough diamonds. The reduction is to go into effect from January 1st 2010.%% The cut in import duties includes slashing the duty on artificial diamond granules from 20 percent to five percent, while duties on other unprocessed precious and semi-precious stones including sapphire and rubies, will decline from 20 percent to 15 percent. %% While duties for unprocessed pearls will reduce from 20 percent to 10 percent, there will be a reduction from 20 percent to 15 percent for processed pearls. The ad-valorem duty on gold, silver and platinum plated imitation jewellery will also be reduced from 20 percent to 15 percent. A €4 per kilo duty on these goods will not be changed. %%