Government Seeks Views On Proposal For E-Commerce Jewellery Export Via Courier

Press Trust of India

13 Jun 2022, 12:28 PM IST

Finance Ministry has sought views on proposal for e-commerce jewellery export

Finance Ministry has come out with a draft standard operating procedure (SoP) for facilitating e-commerce jewellery exports through courier route, as it looks to provide a simplified regulatory framework for manufacturers and traders who want to export jewellery.

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has invited feedback and suggestions from stakeholders by June 14 on the SoP for implementation of a simplified regulatory framework to facilitate export of jewellery made of precious metals and imitation jewellery through e-commerce in courier mode.

The CBIC also proposes to amend the Courier Imports and Exports (Electronic Declaration and Processing) Regulations, 2010, and related forms and come out with a notification prescribing conditions for reimport of returned jewellery and has invited views from stakeholders on the same.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had in the 2022-23 Budget announced implementation of a simplified regulatory framework to facilitate export of jewellery through e-commerce.

Subsequently stakeholder consultations, including those with the Express Industry Council Of India (EICI), Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), e-commerce operators, members of the trade, officers working in the Directorate General Of Export Promotion, Directorate General of Systems and Customs field formations, have been held.

"The feedback received through the aforesaid consultations showed that a simplified regulatory framework is required for e-commerce exports of Jewellery through courier mode. This can be implemented through an SoP for bringing uniformity and certainty on the process and steps to be followed to facilitate such exports via International Courier Terminals (ICTs)," the CBIC said inviting comments on the draft SoP.

"This SoP is applicable on e-commerce export of jewellery made of precious metals (whether or not studded or set with precious or semi-precious stones) .... and imitation jewellery .... In the initial phase, the SoP will be implemented on ECCS (Express Cargo Clearance System) at ICT Mumbai, ICT Delhi and ICT Jaipur," the CBIC added.

The new rules stipulate that jewellery export through courier mode is permitted only after receipt of full advance and photos of the export jewellery, product package/outer covering, product listing on the e-commerce platform and Hallmark certificate are uploaded on the customs system.

KPMG in India Partner (Indirect Tax) Abhishek Jain said the jewellery manufacturers and traders involved in/ or intending to export jewellery out of India should closely study these SOP(s) and notifications and provide their suggestion in a timely manner.