The centre is the result of GJEPC’s persistent advocacy and groundwork to strengthen export infrastructure and boost ease of doing business for exporter members, recognizing the immense potential of hand-carriage in gem and jewellery exports
Mumbai: The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), in collaboration with Mumbai Customs, formally inaugurated the Jewellery Hand Carriage Facilitation Centre at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) Terminal 2 on July 16, 2025. The facilitation centre was inaugurated by Surjit Bhujbal, Member Customs, Central Board Of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC), in the presence of other high-level Customs officials. Also present were Dnyaneshwar Patil, Development Commissioner, SEEPZ, and the leadership team of GJEPC, including Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, Shaunak Parikh, Vice Chairman, Khushboo Ranawat, Regional Chairman (West), Ajesh Mehta, Convener, Diamond Panel, Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director and Mehul Shah, Vice President, Bharat Diamond Bourse.
The launch of the Jewellery Hand Carriage Facilitation Centre at Mumbai airport is the result of GJEPC’s persistent advocacy and groundwork to strengthen export infrastructure. Recognizing the immense potential of hand carriage for boosting gem and jewellery exports—especially from Mumbai, which typically accounts for nearly 65-70% of the country’s exports—GJEPC pro-actively engaged with the Government. Anticipating future clearance, the Council went a step ahead by securing a dedicated space at the Mumbai airport on a rental basis and fully equipping it in advance. With the premises now notified as a Customs area with Bharat Diamond Bourse appointed as a custodian, the Centre is fully operational—ready to facilitate round-the-clock hand carriage of all types of exports and imports of jewellery.
In FY 2024-25, gem and jewellery exports from the Western Region (Mumbai Port) totalled US$ 19,653.24 million, accounting for approximately 68% of India’s total gross gem and jewellery exports during the year.
The new dedicated facility is aimed at streamlining export procedures for high-value gem and jewellery shipments carried by hand, bringing greater transparency, faster clearance, and enhanced ease of doing business for exporters.
Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC, commented, “The inauguration of the Jewellery Hand Carriage Facilitation Centre at Mumbai Airport is a milestone in our ongoing efforts to boost ease of doing business for exporter members. Alongside the e-commerce export channel, hand carriage will prove especially beneficial for MSMEs and high-value shipments, especially to FTA partner nations such as the UAE under CEPA, Australia under ECTA and UK FTA. It offers a faster, cost-effective, and more agile way to service international orders. We thank the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt. of India, Mumbai Customs, Bharat Diamond Bourse and Mumbai Airport International Airport Ltd. for their constant support to achieve the unique milestone.”
Dnyaneshwar B. Patil, Development Commissioner, SEEPZ-SEZ, who was present on the occasion said,“The inauguration of the Jewellery Hand Carriage Facilitation Centre at Mumbai Airport is a timely and impactful initiative that will greatly benefit SEEPZ-based exporters. With SEEPZ contributing a significant share (around 13%) to India’s gem and jewellery exports, the availability of a dedicated hand carriage facility just minutes away will enable faster clearances, reduce logistical hurdles, and provide greater flexibility for companies handling high-value, urgent shipments. I commend GJEPC and Mumbai Customs for their collaborative efforts in enhancing the export ecosystem and making it more responsive to industry needs.”
With nearly two-thirds of India’s gem and jewellery exports routed through Mumbai, the centre marks a major milestone in export infrastructure. The new facilitation centre will serve as a single-window facility supported by Mumbai Customs, CISF, police and airport authorities.
Personal carriage of gem and jewellery is permitted through select airports as specified in the Foreign Trade Policy. For exports, the facility is allowed at nine locations: Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Kochi, Coimbatore, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Jaipur. For imports, personal carriage is permitted at seven locations: Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Jaipur. At present, the personal hand carriage facility is operational in Kolkata, Jaipur, Mumbai and Delhi.
The Council noted that this initiative is part of a broader rollout across nine key centres in India, designed to strengthen infrastructure for the gem and jewellery export sector.
Shaunak Parikh, Vice Chairman, GJEPC, noted, “The launch of the Hand Carriage Facilitation Centre for gems and jewellery at Mumbai Airport is a long-awaited step that will unlock immense value for Indian exporters. It brings speed, safety, and flexibility—crucial elements for high-value gem and jewellery exports. This initiative will especially benefit MSMEs and empower them to meet urgent global demand efficiently. We thank Mumbai Customs and all stakeholders for making this vision a reality.”
This initiative reflects GJEPC’s ongoing commitment to strengthening export infrastructure and reinforcing India’s position as a global hub for gem and jewellery exports.
The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), set up by the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India (GoI) in 1966, is the apex body of the gems & jewellery industry and today represents 10,700+ members in the sector. With headquarters in Mumbai, GJEPC has regional offices in New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Surat and Jaipur, all of which are major centres for the industry.
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