International News
Jewellery exporters leveraging digital marketing to access US market
Indian jewellery exporters are leveraging digital marketing to enhance online sales in the US to mitigate potential tariff impacts. Taking advantage of the de minimis exemption, they aim to boost ecommerce transactions by promoting direct-to-consumer sales and simplifying cross-border logistics with partners like DHL.
Indian jewellery exporters are using digital marketing to push online sales among potential buyers in the US, as they look for ways to minimize the impact of reciprocal tariffs, which the Trump administration has threatened to bring into effect from April 2.
The US allows jewellery worth up to $800 to enter the country free of tariffs and with minimal customs inspection and processing. Most of these imports, shipped by postal and express delivery services, are retail products purchased online.
In early February, the Trump administration announced it would immediately eliminate the “de minimis exemption” for low-value shipments arriving from China. The announcement led to a backlog of packages at the US ports of entry. When the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) realised that it was not prepared to deal with the huge volume of packages, the Trump administration backed off and instead announced it would create a process for eventually eliminating the exemption for China.

“As global trade shifts from multilateral to bilateral frameworks, the de minimis principle-allowing small-value, direct to consumer (D2C) parcels to enter duty-free-offers Indian exporters, especially in gems and jewellery, a significant advantage,” Kirit Bhansali, Chairman GJEPC said. “This simplified process provides direct access to consumers worldwide without duties. It is estimated that 70-80% of ecommerce exports fall under US$ 200, making gems and jewellery an ideal fit due to their low weight, which reduces logistics costs.
According to GJEPC’s forecast, the US jewellery ecommerce market is expected to reach $6,608.1 million in 2025. The expected compound annual growth rate for the next four years (CAGR for 2025-2029) is 3.9%, resulting in a projected market volume of $7,714.9 million by 2029.
Trade sources said that many mid- and small-sized Indian jewellery retailers are selling their products in the US through different e-commerce sites.
International News
AGTA appeals US Government to Scrap 10% Import Tariff on Gemstones
Trade body seeks exemption for coloured gemstones under new temporary tariff regime, with potential implications for diamonds.
The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) has formally appealed to the US government to remove the newly imposed 10% global import tariff on gemstones, and potentially diamonds, warning of its impact on the trade.
The tariff was announced on February 20 after the US Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs issued under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). In response, the administration introduced a temporary 10% import surcharge under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. The measure will remain in effect for 150 days unless Congress votes to extend it, though further tariff mechanisms have not been ruled out.
AGTA has submitted a formal request to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), urging that precious and semiprecious coloured gemstones be added to the exception list under Annex I or Annex II. The association argued that these stones are not mined domestically in the US and therefore should qualify for exemption.
Previously, AGTA’s lobbying efforts contributed to diamonds and gemstones being included in Annex III — a list of products eligible for potential exemption from duties for “aligned” countries. This had placed Indian diamonds and gemstones on track for relief following a prospective US-India trade agreement. However, it remains unclear whether Annex III provisions apply under the new tariff framework that recently took effect.
If the across-the-board exemption request is denied, AGTA has asked the USTR to confirm whether Annex III remains a viable pathway for country-specific tariff relief on coloured gemstones.
While the current petition focuses on coloured gemstones, AGTA noted that trade experts believe any exemption granted in this category could effectively extend to diamonds, as seen in past trade agreements such as the US–European Union deal.

“We will continue to work tirelessly toward eliminating tariffs on gemstone imports into the US. We remain fully committed to this effort — giving up is not an option,” said AGTA President Bruce Bridges and CEO John Ford.
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