GJEPC as part of the Expert Committee had made a series of representations and had rigorously followed up with the Govt. to obliterate the lacunae in rules notified under mandatory Hall Marking provisions to keep the jewellery meant for exports out of the ambit of hallmarking. This is due to the fact that the Hallmarking provisions is for Indian Consumers and India has till now not a signatory to Vienna Convention which makes hallmarked jewellery abroad a redundant procedure increasing the transaction cost of exports without any benefits or requirement. During these meetings, Colin Shah, Chairman, GJEPC informed the practical aspects of exports and made submissions to keep exports procedurally out of mandatory Hallmarking provisions.
Colin Shah, Chairman, GJEPC said, “It is important to keep the exports of gem and jewellery out of the ambit of hallmarking for the smooth functioning of the exports and to take maximum opportunity to cater to the world market as per their requirement. GJEPC had requested a series of amendments in the provisions which will help the exporters to export gold jewellery abroad unhindered. As per current provisions though exports are kept out of hallmarking provisions, some rules stated there is ambiguous and needs to be clarified to keep the exports of gold jewellery outside the purview of mandatory hallmarking.”
GJEPC strongly believes that the following will be implemented for exporters of gold jewellery to keep Exports outside the purview of Hallmarking:
- As exports are exempt under Hallmarking, Copy of Export order will not be required for this exemption as that is not the current practice if some exporter is supplying year round to his/her regular buyer abroad.
- Various export activities as per following that are permitted under Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) will be exempted from Hallmarking
- Export and reimport relating to Export Promotion Tours and Participation in Overseas Exhibitions as allowed under Para 4.46 FTP r/w Para 4.80 of Handbook of Procedures.
- Re-import of rejected Jewellery under Para 4.52 FTP r/w Para 4.91 of HBoP.
- Consignment exports and reimport under Para 4.53 FTP r/w Para 4.93 of HBoP.
- B2B local exhibitions, which are organised within India for promoting and facilitating trade.
- Exquisite hand crafted jewellery of Kundan, Minakari, Polki and Jadau, thewa jewellery should also be excluded.
Colin Shah expressed satisfaction at the empathy showed by Government of India officials and their assurance to consider positively to include all such provisions for exporters in the Hallmarking guidelines to be issued soon.