International News
The 2nd SEZ Gem and Jewellery Conclave
Conclave provided valuable insights in technology, branding, exports, SEZ policy
The Second SEZ Gem and Jewellery Conclave held at Bharatratnam Mega CFC in SEEPZ, Mumbai, brought together influential stakeholders from across the gem and jewellery sector to deliberate on industry growth, innovation, and policy advancements.The conclave provided valuable insights into the latest industry trends in technology, branding, exports.
The conclave was inaugurated by Dr P Anbalagan, IAS, Principal Secretary, Industries Department, Government of Maharashtra. Present at the inauguration were Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC, Saunak Parikh, Vice Chairman, GJEPC, Suvankar Sen, MD, Senco Gold & Diamonds, Sabyasachi Ray, ED, GJEPC, Colin Shah, Head of the Working Group, Bharat Ratnam Mega CFC and Adil Kotwal, Director – SEEPZ GJ Manufacturers Association.

Dr. P Anbalagan in his inaugural address said “The Union and state governments aim to grow India’s economy from USD 3 trillion to USD 30 trillion, requiring double-digit growth across sectors, with Maharashtra as a key driver. As the state with the highest FDI, Maharashtra targets a USD 1 trillion economy in 4-5 years, needing 13-14% annual growth. We are looking at the GJ sector as generator of employment and employment.The employment intensive GJ sector will be cornerstone of Maharashtra becoming a $1 trillion economy.The GJ sector in Maharashtra is contributing 47 per cent of India’s GJ exports.”
Track 1 – Technology included: Platinum Group Metal Recycling , Dr Debashish Bhattacharya, Technical Director of Covalence, India, Casting, Stamping and Tubing in Platinum, Dr. Peter Hofmann, Chairman of INDUTHERM, Germany and Rakesh Jangid, Technical Director, Lagor India, 3D Printing of Precious Metal for Commercial Use-Dr Andrea Friso, R&D Head, Legor Italy ,Technology in Diamond Testing, Jayant Kulkarni , Partner ,SGL, Challenges in Identification of Lab Grown Diamonds by Deepa Srinivasa, Chief Gemmologist – Research & Development – GSI, India
Track 2 – Branding included: Redefining Businesses by Sachin Jain, Educator, LÉCOLE School of Jewellery Arts , Dubai, Revitalizing Diamond Desire by Amit Pratihari, Managing Director, De Beers.
Track 3 – Investments included: Booster to G&J Manufacturing by Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director, GJEPC ,Draft Report of Common SoP for SEZs by Nishant, Partner, ELP.
With key decision-makers in attendance, the conclave promises to be an influential platform for shaping the future of the sector.
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.
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