Jewellery exporters to benefit from personal carriage approval at Mumbai airport

Mon April 28 2025

Jewellery exporters are set to gain a significant advantage with the approval for jewellery import and export via personal carriage at Mumbai International Airport, starting May 1. The approval, granted by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) through a circular, marks a major milestone for India's gem and jewellery trade, according to the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC).

The new facility is expected to benefit Surat jewellery exporters as well, since many of them use Mumbai airport for their international shipments.
A successful mock drill was conducted on Thursday, showcasing the collaborative efforts of Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB), Precious Cargo Customs Clearance Centre (PCCCC), airport customs, and GJEPC. The drill, overseen by Roopesh Sukumaran, additional commissioner of customs at PCCCC, simulated a passenger export scenario, with GJEPC secretariat playing the role of the exporter.

"With the launch of hand-carriage jewellery exports from Mumbai airport on May 1, we are ushering in a new era for India's gem and jewellery trade," said Kirit

Bhansali, chairman of GJEPC.

"This initiative not only simplifies logistics for our members—particularly emerging exporters—but also strengthens India's position as a global jewellery hub. We are committed to promoting innovative solutions that drive growth and opportunities, especially for MSMEs in our sector," he added.

The GJEPC has long advocated for this facility, which will allow exporters to personally carry jewellery to international markets. Mumbai customs will issue the standard operating procedures for hand-carry exports, and GJEPC has established a dedicated airport office to assist members with the hand-carry process.
Meanwhile, during a recent visit by top GJEPC officials, gem and jewellery manufacturers from Surat raised the need for a cargo facility at Surat International Airport.

This demand has gained momentum since the city secured international air connectivity to Dubai, Sharjah, and Bangkok. A dedicated cargo facility would reduce both time and cost for Surat's manufacturers when exporting or importing goods.

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/