Surat: Diamantiares in the world’s biggest diamond cutting and polishing centre in Surat have demanded the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) facility at the Surat Hira Bourse (SHB) customs house for the hassle-free export and fast reimbursement of duty draw back, reports The Times of India.

Recently, an industry delegation led by the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) represented the trade issues to the commissioner of Customs.

Industry leaders said that the diamond cutting and polishing centre in the city is facing difficulties due to the non-availability of EDI facility at the customs house at SHB. The SHB is not having the staring facility to export against green shipping bill and so the exporters from the city are not in position to avail the duty drawback facility from Surat customs.

However, the diamond manufacturer is required to perform the transactions from Mumbai Customs. The Surat based companies face practical issues and cost burden while dealing with Mumbai Customs. The release of Customs Duty from Mumbai office takes a lot of time which disturb the working capital cycle of the Manufacturers.

Aagam Sanghavi, chairman, Indian Diamond Institute (IDI) said, “The EDI facility should be immediately implemented to facilitate the diamond trade in Surat. This will help the exports in getting the fast reimbursement of duty drawback under the customs act.”

Sources said that the commissioner of customs, Captain Sanjay Gehlot informed that the SHB customs house is in process of implementing EDI however due to some infrastructure related issues it is getting delayed. He assured to start the EDI facility at earliest.

Chandrakant Sanghavi, regional chairman, GJEPC said, “The rough or a semi polished rough stone or any rough stone with a single/multiple facets or window are required to be sent for certification to reputed labs abroad. However, the customs officials charge import duty on such diamonds, which is totally wrong.”