DGFT Permits Import/Export of Gems & Jewellery as Personal Carriage from Ahmedabad Airport [Read Notification]
The Directorate has added Ahmedabad to a list of approved airports which includes Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Kochi, Coimbatore, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Jaipur
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has notified an amendment to the Handbook of Procedures (HBP), 2023, now permitting import and export of gems and jewellery as personal carriage through Ahmedabad Airport, in addition to the existing nine airports earlier authorized for such transactions.
The change expands the list of airports eligible for carriage of gems and jewellery parcels by foreign-bound passengers from Export Oriented Units (EOUs), Special Economic Zone (SEZ) units and Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) firms.
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Earlier, such personal carriage of gems and jewellery was permitted only through airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Kochi, Coimbatore, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Jaipur.
With the inclusion of Ahmedabad Airport, exporters and importers in Gujarat’s rapidly growing gems and jewellery industry, particularly those operating from EOUs and SEZs can now carry consignments directly via Ahmedabad, reducing logistical hurdles and reducing transit costs.
The relevant procedure for personal carriage will continue to be governed by Customs regulations and that export proceeds must be realized through normal banking channels. This maintains in-force compliance measures, with established export protocols to ease access for trade participants operating in western India.
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Gujarat has long been recognised as one of India’s leading centres involved in the manufacture and export of gems and jewellery, accounting for a substantial share of the country’s diamond cutting and polishing activity.
The state is home to numerous family businesses involved in the industry and hosts major clusters in Surat, Ahmedabad and Rajkot. The state also benefits from the establishment of several Special Economic Zones (SEZs) dedicated to jewellery and gemstone processing.
Ahmedabad Airport’s entry to the DGFT’s approved list is therefore expected to significantly benefit exporters in these regions by reducing dependence on airports in Mumbai or Delhi and by facilitating faster movement of high-value consignments under the personal carriage scheme.
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The Directorate General of Foreign Trade has consistently been bringing about amendments and changes to India’s existing Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023 in light of the nation’s renewed focus and efforts to emerge as a global force in trade - this amendment in particular pertaining to the gem and jewellery industry.
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