A Milestone Achieved by GJEPC with the Inauguration of the Hand Carriage Facilitation Centre at Mumbai Airport!

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

Initiative Background

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.

Proactive Planning

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.

Vision and Coordination

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.

Export Statistics

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.

Facility Benefits

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.

Chairman’s Statement

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.”

Vice Chairman’s Perspective

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.”

Commitment to Growth

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.

Development Commissioner’s Insight

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.”

Export Significance

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.

Policy Framework

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.

Expansion Plan

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.

Operational Milestone

The Hand Carriage Facilitation Centre at Mumbai Airport is now fully operational and ready to facilitate round-the-clock hand carriage exports, setting a new milestone to boost the Indian gem and jewellery exports.

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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