National News
GJEPC Collaborates with Delhi Customs to Streamline Jewellery Export via Personal Carriage
Follow-up meeting focuses on refining SOPs under Circular No. 09/25 – Customs to ease export processes through Delhi’s Precious Cargo Warehouse
On 15 April, a delegation from the GJEPC Northern Regional Office met with senior officials of Delhi Customs to further refine Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the import and export of jewellery via personal carriage. This discussion followed an initial meeting held on 9 April and focused on the implementation of Circular No. 09/25 – Customs, dated 28 April 2025, with the goal of issuing a comprehensive public notice for the trade.
Key customs officials present included Mr. Dheeraj Rastogi, IRS, Principal Commissioner – Exports; Ms. Ashima Bansal, IRS, Commissioner – ACC Export; Mr. Vishal Pal Singh, IRS, Commissioner – Airport; Mr. Dibyalok Singh, IRS, Deputy Commissioner – ACC Shed; and Mr. Anuj Kumar Pandey, IRS, Additional Deputy Commissioner – Airport. Representing the GJEPC were Mr. Antarpal Singh Sawhney, Regional Chairman – North, and Mr. Anil Sankhwal, Convener, Studded Jewellery Panel.
The meeting primarily addressed ways to optimise the draft SOPs for hand-carried jewellery exports through the Precious Cargo Warehouse (PCW) operated by Celebi at Delhi Airport. GJEPC representatives proposed practical solutions to remove procedural bottlenecks and speed up customs clearance. Among their key requests was the establishment of a dedicated detention room for appraised parcels within the Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) cargo shed to reduce delays and improve exporter convenience.
Customs officials, led by Mr. Rastogi, responded positively to the recommendations and assured the delegation of due consideration. They also advised GJEPC to initiate discussions with CWC for space allocation to implement the suggested changes effectively.
National News
GJEPC addresses issue of Termination of IEEPA-Based Reciprocal Tariffs
GJEPC informed all exporter members of an important interim development concerning U.S. import duties applicable to Indian exports, particularly in the gem and jewellery sector.
The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) informed all exporter members of an important interim development concerning U.S. import duties applicable to Indian exports, particularly in the gem and jewellery sector.
A letter issued by Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director, GJEPC, addressed the Termination of IEEPA-Based Reciprocal Tariffs and outlined key implications for exporters.
Termination of IEEPA-Based Reciprocal Tariffs
Pursuant to the Executive Order dated February 20, 2026, titled “Ending Certain Tariff Actions”, the additional ad valorem duties imposed under IEEPA, including the reciprocal tariff framework under Executive Order 14257, shall no longer remain in effect and are directed to be terminated as soon as practicable.
Accordingly, entries made on or after February 20, 2026 should not be subject to the earlier IEEPA-based reciprocal tariffs.
1. Interim Window Prior to Section 122 Surcharge
A separate Presidential Proclamation dated February 20, 2026 imposes a temporary 10% surcharge under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, effective 12:01 a.m. EST on February 24, 2026.
Therefore, between: February 20, 2026 – before 12:01 a.m. EST on February 24, 2026 imports into the United States should be subject only to ordinarily applicable HTSUS (MFN) rates, without the earlier reciprocal tariff, and prior to the commencement of the Section 122 surcharge.
For products such as cut and polished diamonds (where the MFN rate is ordinarily 0%), this period represents a limited operational window.
2. Refund Position (If Collected in Error or Due to Implementation Lag)
In cases where reciprocal IEEPA duties are collected due to implementation lag, such duties should be eligible for refund through the standard:
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) protest mechanism under 19 U.S.C. §1514, or
- Post-summary correction procedures, as applicable.
However, exporters should note that there is no assurance that the refund process will not be time-consuming.
3. Important Caution for Exporters
While GJEPC is actively engaging with U.S. customs authorities and keeping customs at Bharat Diamond Bourse informed, members are strongly advised to:
- Seek confirmation from their U.S. customs broker and trade counsel
- Obtain written confirmation from their U.S. buyer/importer regarding entry treatment
- Confirm that CBP has ceased collection of the reciprocal tariff at the port of entry
Given the evolving implementation environment, entry-level verification is critical.
Members are encouraged to carefully assess:
- Shipment timing
- Entry dates
- Applicable HTS classification
before dispatching consignments, wherever applicable.
source: GJEPC
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