DGFT Grants Automatic 30-Day Deadline Extension for Gem & Jewellery Assessees Amid Global Trade Disruptions
The global trade ecosystem has recently faced unprecedented logistical bottlenecks due to escalating geopolitical tensions, particularly in West Asia. These disruptions have severely impacted supply chains, causing unavoidable delays in international freight and cargo movement. Recognizing the acute challenges faced by the export-import community, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), functioning under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has proactively intervened to safeguard the interests of the domestic market.
Through the issuance of Public Notice No. 54/2025-24 dated 30 March 2026, the regulatory body has rolled out crucial policy support mechanisms specifically tailored for the gem and jewellery industry. This sector, being highly sensitive to turnaround times and international logistics, has been granted substantial compliance relief under Chapter 4 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023.
Legislative Framework and Authority
The DGFT has exercised its statutory powers to amend procedural guidelines to facilitate smoother operations for the affected assessee. By invoking the authority vested under Paragraph 1.03 and Paragraph 2.04 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023, the Director General has authorized immediate modifications to the Handbook of Procedures, 2023.
These amendments are not structural overhauls but rather targeted, one-time relaxations designed to provide immediate breathing room to an assessee struggling with rigid export and import timelines due to factors entirely beyond their control.