International News
Gold near fresh all-time highs ahead of US trading session
Gold’s price (XAU/USD) is seeing gains tick up trading near $2,952 at the time of writing, fueled by a weaker US Dollar (USD) and softening US yields in a reaction to the recent German federal election outcome. Although the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) has gained 20% of votes, the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU) is comfortable in the lead with 208 seats against AfD’s 152. US yields dropped off and the CME Federal Reserve (Fed) Futures are now favoring a 25 basis points (bps) rate cut in June, where last week odds were rather for no rate cut in June.
Meanwhile, traders will watch the US Gross Domestic Product (GBP) release for the fourth quarter of 2024 later this week. Given the recent slowdown in US activity and economic data (for example, the softer Services Purchase Managers Index (PMI) reading on Friday), another drop in US yields could be triggered, with markets anticipating the Federal Reserve lowering its monetary policy rate to boost the economy and demand. The US dollar weakened after several reports and economic data points last week revealed that US business activity slowed and consumer confidence waned, with expectations for inflation surging and markets pricing in more rate cuts by the Federal Reserve this year.
International News
US Begins Third Phase Of Tariff Refunds For Diamond and Jewellery Importers
To Qualify For Phase III, An Importer Must Be A Plaintiff In A Relevant Case and Have A Court Order Directing CBP To Reassess The Import Entry and Refund The Duties. The Importer Must Also Have Provided A Valid Importer Of Record Number To CBP By July 30. This Number Identifies The Party Legally Responsible For The Customs Entry.
The United States has launched the third phase of tariff refunds for diamond and jewellery importers who paid duties imposed under President Donald Trump’s emergency tariff policy. However, the refunds are currently limited to businesses that filed lawsuits against the government and obtained court orders directing customs officials to return the money.
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) launched Phase III on October 6. The programme covers importers whose cases are before the US Court of International Trade and who have secured orders requiring customs officials to reopen previously finalised import entries, remove the disputed duties and issue refunds.
Although the US Supreme Court struck down the tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) in February, not all affected businesses can claim refunds under the current phase. Legal proceedings are continuing over refunds for importers who did not file individual lawsuits.
To qualify for Phase III, an importer must be a plaintiff in a relevant case and have a court order directing CBP to reassess the import entry and refund the duties. The importer must also have provided a valid Importer of Record number to CBP by July 30. This number identifies the party legally responsible for the customs entry.
On October 8, the Court of International Trade certified a class action covering importers that paid IEEPA tariffs but did not file their own refund lawsuits. The decision could provide a path to refunds for a wider group of businesses. However, it does not mean that all affected importers can immediately claim refunds under Phase III.
Jewelers Vigilance Committee, has advised jewellery businesses to maintain detailed records of tariffs paid, payment dates and related import numbers. These records could help support future refund claims.
US customs officials have estimated that approximately US$166 billion in IEEPA duties were collected across around 53 million import entries. The collections covered a wide range of imported goods, not just diamonds and jewellery.
Importers are advised to review the duties they paid, confirm who was listed as the Importer of Record and check whether their import entries and legal cases meet the refund requirements. The programme does not cover tariffs imposed under other legal authorities.
-
National News19 minutes agoTalla Jewellers Unveils New Showroom In Akhnoor, Jammu, Fifth Store In The Region
-
National News3 hours agoJagannath Gangaram Pednekar Jewellers Celebrates Jewellery as a Lifestyle with The Great Jewellery Festival
-
International News5 hours agoUS Begins Third Phase Of Tariff Refunds For Diamond and Jewellery Importers
-
National News4 hours agoKISNA Launches AI-Powered Jewellery Search In 15+ Indian Languages; Projects 20% Growth In Website Searches Over 4 Months

