Govt relaxes norms about job work undertaken by SEZs

NEW DELHI: In order to facilitate trade and boost exports of jewellery, Government has now permitted Gems and Jewellery units located in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to undertake job works on semi-finished plain jewellery outside the zones.
"It has been decided that gem and jewellery manufacturing units in SEZ may be allowed to take out plain semi-finished jewellery into the Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) for job work," the Revenue Department has said in a circular.
Uptil now, this concession was not available to finished and semi finished plain jewellery since there was no such provision in the Exim policy 2002-07. The Industry had consequently made a request for allowing such a provision, which was supported by the Commerce ministry in order to enhance jewellery exports from SEZs.
The concession, would, however, be subject to the condition that the goods, finished or semi-finished included studded jewellery containing quality and purity equal to the plain semi-finished jewellery taken out for job work shall be brought back within a period of 30 days.
The department has also clarified that no diamonds, precious or semi-precious stones and studded jewellery shall be allowed to be taken out of the zone for sub-contracting.