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US Retains 10% Tariff On Indian Exports Under New Section 301 Regime

The move follows the conclusion of the USTR Section 301 investigations into 60 economies over their implementation and enforcement of prohibitions on imports produced with forced labour

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The United States has replaced its temporary Section 122 surcharge with a Section 301 tariff regime with no automatic lapse, maintaining a 10% additional duty on Indian exports, including natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, coloured gemstones and jewellery, from 24 July 2026.

Policy Shift & Legal Framework

  • Transition to Section 301: Following USTR forced-labour investigations into 60 economies, President Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum replacing temporary Section 122 surcharges with Section 301 tariffs, effective 12:01 a.m. EDT on 24 July.
  • No Expiry Date: Unlike the time-limited Section 122 surcharge, Section 301 tariffs have no statutory expiry and remain subject to modification or termination by the USTR.
  • Seamless Transition: Section 122 expired precisely as Section 301 took effect, avoiding any duty gaps or overlapping tariffs. Imports must now be reported under HTSUS heading 9903.05.44.

India’s Tariff Rate & Relative Advantage

  • 10% Tariff Band: India secured a 10% tariff rate (unchanged from its previous rate) after banning forced-labour imports post-5 June 2026.
  • Competitive Edge Over Rivals: India holds a 2.5 percentage-point advantage over competitors like China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Türkiye, the UAE, Israel, and Vietnam, all of which face a 12.5% tariff.

Impact on Product Categories

  • Natural Diamonds & Colored Gemstones: Previously entered duty-free under MFN rates; now face a 10% Section 301 duty.
  • Lab-Grown & Synthetic Stones: Subject to a 10% Section 301 duty.
  • Finished Jewellery: Existing MFN duty (5.5%–6%) combines with the 10% Section 301 tariff, raising the total effective import duty to 15.5%–16%.

 Major Competitive Disadvantages

  • EU & Swiss Exemptions: Natural diamonds, pearls, and colored stones (HS 7101–7103) from the EU and Switzerland are exempt from Section 301 duties, whereas identical Indian-origin goods face the full 10% tariff.
  • Out-of-Scope Nations: Primary diamond producers (e.g., Botswana, Namibia, DRC, Zimbabwe) fall outside Section 301 entirely.
  • Substantial Transformation: Goods processed or substantially transformed in India are treated as Indian-origin, triggering the 10% duty.

 In-Transit Logistics & Compliance Advice

  • Limited Ocean Freight Exemption: In-transit exemptions apply only to ocean freight loaded before 24 July and entered before 28 July. Air cargo, couriers, and hand-carried shipments—the primary delivery methods for Indian gems—do not qualify.
  • Broker & Return Guidance: Exporters are urged to coordinate with customs brokers for accurate classification and are warned that goods returned under Chapter 98 are not automatically exempt and remain under CBP review.
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Rivaah By Tanishq Launches Wedding Signatures, Complete Bridal Jewellery Trousseaus Across Seven Indian Bridal Communities

Created Around The Way Today’s Bride Curates Her Wedding, With Jewellery For Every Moment and Celebration, Brought To Life Through A Wider Wedding Ecosystem

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Rivaah by Tanishq, the wedding jewellery focused sub brand from the house of Tanishq, has launched Wedding Signatures, a collection of complete bridal jewellery trousseaus across seven distinct Indian bridal communities representing Tamil, Telugu, Bihari, Rajasthani/Marwadi, Gujarati, Marathi and Pan India/Metro. The collection is rooted in Rivaah’s insight that today the modern Indian bride celebrates her cultural roots but in her own unique way.

Over 8 to 12 months, a bride makes choices across the destination, venue, functions, fashion, photography, decor, beauty and jewellery that together shape her wedding. This has also changed the way she approaches bridal jewellery, with a move towards selecting pieces for individual occasions rather than relying on a single set. Wedding Signatures responds with a complete jewellery wardrobe designed to cater to the different functions and celebrations of the wedding.

Each bridal look has been developed through its own distinctive jewellery vocabulary. The Marathi trousseau draws on key elements such as the Vati Mangalsutra, Tushi necklace and Vajra Teek Choker, the Rajasthani/Marwadi trousseau includes the Borla, Tevta, Aad and Panchlada Haar, while the Gujarati trousseau draws on forms such as Chandan Haar, Dodi, Mor and Keri. The Tamil and Telugu trousseaus explore distinctive South Indian forms and temple inspired vocabulary. The Pan India/Metro trousseau offers a contemporary expression for brides influenced by multiple cultural and stylistic references. The collection further expands Rivaah’s jewellery vocabulary with Kaleeras, Matha Patti, Vankis, Surya and Chandra, Nethi Chutti and Mattal, alongside contemporary interpretations of established regional jewellery codes.

Developed by Tanishq’s Design Excellence Centre (DEC), Wedding Signatures brings together regional understanding, design expertise and craftsmanship across the seven bridal worlds.

The collection is brought to life through the campaign “One Wedding. Many Stories.”, extending the idea into the wider wedding ecosystem through destination, photography and film. Celebrated wedding photographer Joseph Radhik captures select bridal looks at Taj Jai Mahal Palace, Jaipur, while acclaimed filmmaker Shoojit Sircar brings the stories to life through a series of regional films. For the South market, actor Anupama Parameswaran is the face of Rivaah, bringing the campaign to life for brides across the region. The campaign places the jewellery within the setting, atmosphere and storytelling of a wedding, creating a connected expression of the celebration around the collection.

Speaking on the launch, Pelki Tshering, Chief Marketing Officer, Tanishq, said:

“At Rivaah, we believe that marriages are crafted uniquely by every bride. As brides curate their weddings with greater intention, every choice right from the destination and celebrations to fashion, photography and jewellery, contributes to the experience they envision. We wanted to reflect this in the way we approached bridal jewellery. Wedding Signatures brings together complete jewellery wardrobes across seven distinct Indian bridal looks, with pieces designed for the different occasions that make up the wedding journey.

Through ‘One Wedding. Many Stories.’, we bring the collection into the wider world of destination, photography and film, creating a more holistic expression of the wedding around the bride.”

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