Ten Outside Indian Laboratories Authorised for Diamond Certification for Re-import after Grading

[DGFT Notification No. 100 dated 28^th February 2012]

Subject: Duty exemption on re-import of Cut & Polished Diamonds sent abroad for Certification/ Grading

In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 5 of the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992, as amended, read with paragraph 1.3 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2009-2014, the Central Government hereby adds paragraph 4A.2.1 and 4A.2.2 in Chapter 4 of Foreign Trade Policy, 2009-2014 (RE 2010).

Export of Cut & Polished Diamonds for Certification/ Grading & Re-import

4A.2.1 Following are authorized laboratories for certification/ grading of diamonds of 0.25 carat and above:

(i) Indian Diamond Institute, Surat, Gujarat;

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

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

(iv) Diamond Trading Company, Maidenhead, UK;

(v) European Gemological Laboratory (EGL), USA;

(vi) Gemological Institute of America (GIA), USA;

(vii) Hoge Road Voor Diamond, Antwerp, (HRD);

(viii) International Diamond Laboratories DMCC, Dubai.

(ix) The Robert Mouawad Campus, International Gemological Institute (IGI) USA; and

(x) World Diamond Centre of Diamonds High Council, Antwerp, Belgium;

4A.2.2 An exporter (with annual export turnover of Rs 5 crores for each of the last three years) may export cut & polished diamonds (each of 0.25 carat or more) abroad to any of the above agencies/ laboratories with re-import facility at zero duty within 3 months from the date of export. Such facility of export and subsequent re-import at zero duty will be subject to guidelines issued by CBEC, Department of Revenue.

2. Effect of the Notification

Basic Customs Duty of 2% on import of cut & polished diamonds has been imposed by the Department of Revenue with effect from 16.1.2012 vide Notification No.01/2012. Such duty will not be applicable on re-import of cut & polished diamonds (each of 0.25 carat or more) sent for certification/ grading abroad to the above laboratories. (Earlier also similar provision existed in FTP which was deleted after the Basic Customs Duty on cut and polished diamonds was brought down to zero.)