The approval for hand-carriage of gem and jewellery goods at Ahmedabad International Airport marks a major step forward in the Government of India and GJEPC’s ongoing efforts to enhance the ease of doing business for the industry. The inclusion of Ahmedabad in the official Hand-Carriage/HBoP system—announced through DGFT Public Notice No. 33/2025–26 dated 1 December 2025—comes at a time when India is expanding its global trade partnerships through FTAs with the UAE, Australia, UK and European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
Hand Carriage Facility Extended to Major Ports
The Hand Carriage facility, previously available only at Delhi port, has now been extended to all major ports—including Jaipur, Kolkata, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Chennai—with corresponding SOPs issued for smooth operations.
Inclusion of Ahmedabad Port in HBoP Network
Initially, Ahmedabad port was excluded from the list of Hand-Carry Points of Origin (HBoP). Following continued representation by GJEPC to the DGFT, Ahmedabad port has now been officially included in the HBoP network.
Customs Assurance for Fast-Track SOP
Soon after the DGFT notification, a GJEPC officials led by Shri Jayanti Savaliya, Regional Chairman (Gujarat), approached and met Shri Shiv Kumar Sharma, Principal Commissioner of Customs, Ahmedabad. He assured that the Customs department will fast-track the process and issue the SOP for the Ahmedabad hand-carriage facility at the earliest.
Gateway to New Export Potential for Gujarat
For exporters in Gujarat, this development is more than an operational convenience—it is a gateway to unlocking new export potential across key international markets. Hand-carriage access from Ahmedabad enables faster, secure movement of high-value consignments, allowing manufacturers and traders to fully leverage preferential access under existing and upcoming FTAs.
Gujarat’s Role in Gem and Jewellery Exports
Gujarat—led by the Ahmedabad–Surat–Rajkot belt—has long been the global centre for cut and polished diamonds and is now rapidly evolving as a major hub for studded jewellery manufacturing. In FY 2024–25, gem and jewellery exports from the Gujarat Region totalled US$ 1,979.90 million, contributing nearly 7% to India’s overall exports in the sector. With Ahmedabad now added to the hand-carriage network, export operations from the region are expected to become more agile, competitive, and globally aligned.
Significant Benefit for MSMEs
The new facility will significantly benefit MSMEs, which form the backbone of jewellery manufacturing in Gujarat. Faster turnaround times, reduced process dependency, and direct access to international flights from Ahmedabad will enable businesses to meet global demand more efficiently—particularly for markets in the Middle East, Europe, and Latin America.
GJEPC Chairman Expresses Gratitude
Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC, expressed gratitude to the DGFT and the Ministry of Commerce for this timely and progressive decision, noting that the inclusion of Ahmedabad in the hand-carriage network will strengthen the Gujarat region’s growing prominence in studded jewellery manufacturing.
Chairman’s Comment on Convenience and Speed
Kirit Bhansali added: “This has been a long-standing need of exporters in Gujarat, and GJEPC has been consistently pursuing it with DGFT. The new facility will greatly support businesses across Ahmedabad, Surat, and Rajkot—regions that collectively drive India’s diamond and jewellery exports. The decision brings convenience, speed, and greater ease of operations for thousands of exporters who can now ship and receive goods through Ahmedabad Airport.”
Regional Chairman’s View on Industry Boost
Shri Jayanti Savaliya, Regional Chairman (Gujarat), GJEPC, said “Gujarat is the heart of India’s diamond cutting and polishing industry, and Ahmedabad is emerging as a major international aviation hub. Allowing hand-carriage from Ahmedabad will simplify procedures, save crucial time for exporters, and provide a major boost to MSMEs. This policy change will directly strengthen India’s position in the global gem and jewellery trade.”
Reinforcing Global Competitiveness
The new hand-carriage facility will enable quicker movement of goods, reduced waiting time, and lower operational costs for exporters. With smoother processes and improved transparency, this step reinforces the shared commitment of the Government and GJEPC to support exporters, enhance industry competitiveness, and position Gujarat as a rising centre for value-added jewellery manufacturing.
About The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC)
The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), set up by the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India (GoI) in 1966, is one of several Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) launched by the Indian Government, to boost the country’s export thrust, when India’s post-Independence economy began making forays in the international markets. Since 1998, the GJEPC has been granted autonomous status. The GJEPC is the apex body of the gems & jewellery industry and today represents 10700+ 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. It thus has a wide reach and is able to have a closer interaction with members to serve them in a direct and more meaningful manner. Over the past decades, GJEPC has emerged as one of the most active EPCs and has continuously strived to both expand its reach and depth in its promotional activities as well as widen and increase services to its members.
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