A Transparent Supply Chain
Columbia Gem House maintains complete chain of custody documents on every gemstone. Documentation ensures that every gemstone the company sells has been handled in accordance with Fair Trade Gems® protocols. A transparent supply chain makes chain of custody information available to customers. Moreover, it means that international transactions and transfers of goods and monies are handled in a legal and transparent manner.
Columbia Gem House insists all import and export is conducted in accordance with all local laws. Further, the company requests that all shipments into the USA include an official invoice that shows real and accurate values. The official invoice is used to remit payment by wire or bank check to an official bank account provided by the supplier.
Transparency of the supply chain and all transactions is important to prevent any possibility of money laundering. Additionally, it prevents funds from being transferred out of the producing country. The U.S. Patriot Act also requires extensive additional documentation of import and export transactions that involve valuable goods like gems.