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 16th July 2025. The facilitation centre was inaugurated by Shri Surjit
Bhujbal, Member Customs, CBIC, in the presence of Smt. Prachi Saroop, Principal
Chief Commissioner, Shri Alok Jha, Principal Commissioner and other Customs
officials. Also present were Shri Dnyaneshwar Patil, Development Commissioner,
SEEPZ , and the leadership team of GJEPC, including Shri Kirit Bhansali, Chairman,
Shri Shaunak Parikh, Vice Chairman, Smt Khushboo Ranawat, Regional Chairman
(West), Shri Ajesh Mehta, Convener, Diamond Panel, Shri Sabyasachi Ray, Executive
Director, Shri Mehul Shah, Vice President, BDB.
The launch of the Hand Carriage Facilitation Centre at Mumbai Airport has been the
result of GJEPC’s persistent advocacy and groundwork. Recognising 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
proactively 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 exports. This initiative is a
testament to GJEPC’s vision, planning, and continuous coordination with government
agencies to strengthen export infrastructure. Based on this initiative all types of exports
and imports of jewellery through hand-carriage mode can now take place from Mumbai
Airport.
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.
Shri 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 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 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.”
Shri Dnyaneshwar B. Patil, IAS, Development Commissioner, SEEPZ-SEZ who
was present at the occasion express “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.
Shri 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 aligning with the Government’s vision of ease of doing business. By
enabling faster, more secure, and cost-effective shipments, the Council is paving the
way for India to reinforce its position as a global hub for gem and jewellery exports.
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