National News

CBIC Introduces Streamlined Procedure for Personal Carriage of Gems & Jewellery via Jaipur Airport and ACC

New digital process for imports and exports through personal carriage takes effect from July 14, 2025, easing travel for jewellers and exporters

Published

11 months ago

July 16, 2025

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The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has officially implemented a new procedure for the import and export of gems and jewellery through personal carriage at Jaipur’s Air Cargo Complex (ACC) and Jaipur International Airport. Effective from July 14, 2025, the initiative follows CBIC Circular No. 09/2025-Customs and aligns with advisories from the Directorate General of Systems to simplify and digitise high-value consignments carried by passengers.

Simplified Import Process

Under the revised system, individuals importing gems and jewellery through personal carriage must pre-file a Bill of Entry (BE) at ACC, Jaipur, using a new importer category labelled “H”. The BE must include detailed passenger and travel information such as e-ticket, PNR, flight and passport numbers, along with the Importer Exporter Code (IEC) and Authorised Dealer (AD) code.

Supporting documents—including a hand carriage authorisation letter (HAC001), detention receipt (HAC002), and product photographs—must be uploaded via the integrated customs portal. Re-imports must be accompanied by certification from the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC).

On arrival, passengers must declare the goods at the Red Channel Counter at Jaipur International Airport. Customs will seal the consignment and issue a Detention Receipt, which will be used to initiate clearance at ACC. Goods submitted before noon will be processed the same day, wherever feasible.

Enhanced Export Procedure

Exporters can now electronically file Shipping Bills a minimum of 24 hours prior to departure. These must be clearly flagged for “Personal Carriage” and include specific passenger details. Coloured photographs of the goods are mandatory, and physical carting must be completed at ACC a working day before the flight.

Once customs examines the goods and grants the Let Export Order (LEO), consignments are sealed and moved to the airport warehouse for temporary detention. If the goods are not exported, exporters must notify customs and request a “Back to Town” (BTT) clearance, which involves a full examination and may result in penalties, depending on the case.

Why It Matters

This procedural overhaul aims to eliminate longstanding logistical challenges faced by jewellery exporters, designers, and traders who travel internationally with samples or inventory. The new system provides a transparent, digital framework to support smoother trade movements and improved compliance.

Implementation and Support

Any concerns regarding the new process can be addressed to the Additional Commissioner of Customs (Prev.), Jodhpur, stationed at the Jaipur headquarters. This latest directive overrides all previous inconsistent instructions.

National News

Gold Exchange Schemes See Surge In Demand

Nearly 25% Of All Jewelry Buyers Now Opt For Exchange Programs Instead Of Outright Cash Purchases

Published

17 hours ago

May 30, 2026

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In 2026, India’s retail gold sector is witnessing a significant paradigm shift. Driven by a combination of macroeconomic factors and strategic government appeals, gold exchange schemes have emerged as a dominant trend. Nearly 25% of all jewelry buyers now opt for exchange programs instead of outright cash purchases, marking a substantial increase from previous years.

Key Drivers of the Exchange Trend

1. Record-High Gold Prices

The primary economic catalyst for this shift is the unprecedented surge in gold prices. As fresh gold becomes increasingly expensive, consumers are unlocking the value stored in their existing assets rather than stretching their liquid capital to make new purchases.

2. Government Advocacy and Import Reduction

The trend is heavily backed by national policy interests. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has actively appealed to the public to utilize old jewelry for new purchases rather than buying fresh gold. The strategic goal behind this initiative is to curb India’s massive gold imports, thereby strengthening the current account deficit and stabilizing the national economy.

3. Aggressive Jeweler Incentives

Jewelers have rapidly adapted to consumer demand and government alignment by lowering the barriers to entry for exchanges.

Two major policy shifts are driving this retail adoption:

Zero-Deduction Exchange Schemes: Traditional penalties and melting losses that previously deterred consumers from exchanging gold are being eliminated.
Relaxed Documentation & Purity Standards: Retailers are now accepting old gold sourced from any jeweler starting at a purity level as low as 9KT, even without original purchase bills.

Market Implications

The 25% Threshold: The fact that a quarter of all jewelry buyers are now choosing exchange programs signifies that gold recycling is no longer a niche or distress-driven activity; it has entered the mainstream consumer behavior matrix.

For Consumers: This shift provides a highly liquid, cost-effective way to upgrade designs and maintain asset value without facing heavy financial hits or bureaucratic hurdles (like tracking down decades-old receipts).
For the Economy: By circulating existing domestic gold back into the supply chain, India reduces its reliance on international bullion markets, directly answering the government’s call for macroeconomic resilience.