Public Notice No. 33/2025-26, Dated 01-12-2025
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has issued a public notice amending Paras 4.87(a) and 4.88 of the Handbook of Procedures (HBP) 2023. The amendments expand the list of authorised airports for personal carriage of gems and jewellery parcels, providing additional logistical flexibility to exporters and importers.
1. Personal Carriage of Export Parcels — Ahmedabad Airport Added
Under the amendment to Para 4.87(a), Ahmedabad Airport has been included among the permitted locations for the personal carriage of export parcels of gems and jewellery by:
- Export Oriented Units (EOUs)
- Special Economic Zone (SEZ) units
- Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) firms
1.1 Key Conditions (Unchanged)
- All existing Customs procedures must continue to be followed.
- Export proceeds must be realised through the normal banking channel as prescribed under FTP norms.
This inclusion provides exporters an additional gateway, reducing logistical constraints for units operating in or near Gujarat.
2. Personal Carriage of Import Parcels — Ahmedabad Added to Authorised Airports
Amendments to Para 4.88 similarly add Ahmedabad Airport to the list of authorised locations through which:
- Indian importers, and
- Foreign nationals
may personally carry gems and jewellery import parcels.
2.1 Procedural Compliance (Unchanged)
- Procedures remain aligned with air freight import norms.
- Parcels must be presented to Customs for:
-
- Examination
- Assessment
- Release
This ensures full regulatory oversight while facilitating smoother import operations.
3. Impact of the Amendments
The amendments allow exporters and importers to use Ahmedabad Airport, in addition to previously notified airports, thereby:
- Improving regional accessibility
- Reducing transit time for gems and jewellery consignments
- Enhancing operational convenience for businesses located in western India
- Supporting industry competitiveness through expanded logistical options
