Exporters who are exporting through any port in the country and have completed the identity verification (customs KYC) will not have to repeat the KYC process at ports in Gujarat. A public notice in this regard was issued by the office of the principal commissioner of customs, Ahmedabad, on Monday. It will largely benefit the gems and jewellery sector.
The commissionerate announced the withdrawal of previous orders that made KYC mandatory for the first time at any customs centre in Gujarat, even if the person is conducting import or export at other ports in the country.
The notice is to benefit jewellery manufacturers in the city who are exporting from both Mumbai and Surat. “Earlier, even if the exporter had completed KYC in Mumbai and was exporting, they were asked for KYC when they first approached the customs office in Surat. Now they will not have to do this, and it will benefit exporters,” said Jayanti Savaliya, Gujarat regional chairman of the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council.
This matter was followed up on by GJEPC recently since multiple applications for KYC were pending in Surat offices, affecting the business of exporters. “It is a good decision which will help exporters speed up the process. This removes duplication and is already being practised in Maharashtra,” said Savaliya.
According to a customs expert, “This decision is largely beneficial to the gems and jewellery sector in Gujarat since we have designated ports here. Various other products meant for export from Gujarat may not get its direct benefit if there is no designated port for it here. According to the guidelines, specific products can be imported or exported from a specific port only.”
The move aims to benefit trade and industry while reducing the workload on the limited customs staff in Surat. The Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) had recently made a representation to the govt with a demand to start international air cargo to promote exports from the region.
“This is a good decision to benefit trade and industry. We expect the customs department and govt to work on our demand for an international air cargo facility at the Surat international airport. Our exporters of fruits and shrimp must go to Ahmedabad or Mumbai ,” said Vijay Mevawala, president, SGCCI.
