Notification No. 55/2001-Cus Dated 16-05-2001

Exemption on cut and polished diamonds when re-imported into India after certification/grading by the laboratories/agencies.-In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 25 of the Customs Act, 1962 (52 of 1962), the Central Government being satisfied that it is necessary in the public interest so to do, hereby exempts cut and polished diamonds falling within Chapter 71 of the First Schedule to the Customs Tariff Act, 1975 (51 of 1975), when re-imported into India after certification/grading by the laboratories/agencies mentioned in condition (iv), in terms of paragraph 8.13(b) of the Export and Import Policy, from the whole of duty of customs leviable thereon which is specified in the said First Schedule, subject to fulfilment of the following conditions, namely:-

1. Cut and polished diamonds are re-imported by gems and jewellery exporters having a track record of at least three years and having an annual average turnover of five crore rupees and above during the preceding three licensing years.
    

2. Each piece of cut & polished diamonds so re-imported shall not be less than 0.50 of a carat in weight.
   

3. Cut and polished diamonds shall be re-imported within a period of three months from the date of exportation.
    

4. Cut and polished diamonds shall be allowed to be re-imported only on production of certification/grading report from the following laboratories/agencies, in terms of said paragraph 8.13(b), namely:-
   
    

   (a) Gemological Institute of America (GIA);
   
   (b) The Robert Mouawad Campus;
   
   (c) International Gemological Institute (IGI);
   
   (d) European Gemological Laboratory (EGL) in USA;
   
   (e) Hoge Raad voor Diamond (HRD), Antwerp, Belgium;
   
   (f) World Diamond Centre of Diamonds High Council, Antwerp, Belgium.

    

   (g) Central Gem Laboratory, Miyagi Building, 5-15-14 Ueno Taito-Ku, Tokyo, Japan.

    

   (h) American Gem Society Laboratories (AGS Laboratories), 8917 West Sahara Avenue, Las Vegas, Nevada 89117.

    

5. Cut and polished diamonds so re-imported shall match with corresponding diamonds mentioned in the invoice at the time of exportation in terms of value, height, circumference and weight.

2. Notwithstanding anything contained herein above, the exemption contained in this notification shall also be applicable, if the exportation and re-importation of cut and polished diamonds as stated above are undertaken by the authorised offices or agents in India of the laboratories/agencies as mentioned above on behalf of the exporters subject to fulfilment of the conditions specified herein above and in the Export and Import Policy and Handbook of Procedures Volume I;


Explanation.- For the purposes of this notification, "Export and Import Policy" means the Export and Import Policy, 1st April, 1997-31st March, 2002, published vide notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Commerce, No. 1/1997-2002, dated 31st March, 1997, as amended from time to time.