CBIC Shifts Surat Rough-Diamond Special Notified Zone to Surat Diamond Bourse; Unsold Lots Must Be Exported Within 75 Days

# CBIC Shifts Surat Rough-Diamond Special Notified Zone to Surat Diamond Bourse; Unsold Lots Must Be Exported Within 75 Days

Finin2min 2-minute summary

CBIC Circular 44/2026-Customs allows the Special Notified Zone operated by Surat International Diatrade Centre to shift from Gujarat Hira Bourse to the 2nd Floor of Tower-B at Surat Diamond Bourse, Dream City, Khajod. The zone lets eligible foreign mining companies bring rough diamonds into India for viewing, auction, negotiated sale and re-export. Operations can start only after written Customs authorisation. Rough diamonds must be imported by air cargo, repacked lot-wise within 60 days and unsold lots exported under a shipping bill filed within 75 days.

**Last verified:** 29 September 2026, 5:42 PM IST

Key verified facts

• CBIC Circular No. 44/2026-Customs is dated 28 September 2026.
• The Special Notified Zone is being shifted from Gujarat Hira Bourse, Ichhapore, to Surat International Diatrade Centre at Surat Diamond Bourse, Khajod.
• Operations at the new SNZ can begin only after written authorisation from the Principal Commissioner/Commissioner of Customs, Ahmedabad.
• SIDC must submit the floor plan and security features for approval under Section 8 of the Customs Act, 1962.
• Import of rough diamonds into the SNZ is permitted only through air cargo; hand carriage and express courier are not permitted.
• Consignments must include invoice/declared value, packing list, insurance documents and a Kimberley Process Certificate.
• No sale of sub-lots is allowed and imported lots cannot be mixed during the viewing/sale process.
• Diamonds must be repacked lot-wise no later than 60 days from import.
• Unsold goods must be exported under a shipping bill filed within 75 days from import.
• Sold lots require a bill of entry, assessment, applicable duty payment and out-of-charge before removal from the customs area.

What a Special Notified Zone does

The SNZ creates a controlled customs area where eligible foreign diamond miners can bring rough diamonds into India so local manufacturers and traders can inspect and buy them.

Unsold stones can then be re-exported. This avoids forcing every viewing consignment into normal domestic import treatment before a buyer is identified.

Why the move to Surat Diamond Bourse matters

Surat is one of the world's most important diamond-cutting and polishing centres. Moving the SNZ into the Surat Diamond Bourse places viewing and sale activity closer to a large concentration of Indian buyers.

That can reduce travel and logistics friction for the trade, but Customs controls remain essential because the goods are high-value and can be sold or re-exported.

The facility does not start automatically

CBIC has allowed the facility, but the new SNZ can commence operations only after written authorisation from the jurisdictional Principal Commissioner or Commissioner of Customs.

SIDC must also submit its floor plan and security arrangements. Businesses should therefore confirm the actual operational date rather than assuming 28 September is the first trading date.

Air cargo only

The circular permits rough-diamond imports through air cargo mode and excludes hand carriage and express courier. This creates a clear compliance point for foreign mining companies and logistics providers.

Using the wrong route can prevent the consignment from entering the SNZ process.

Why the Kimberley Process document matters

The Kimberley Process is an international certification system for rough diamonds. The circular requires relevant consignments to carry the certificate along with invoice, packing list and insurance documentation.

Customs will examine the parcels and match carat weight and documentation before sealing and moving them to the SNZ strong room.

No mixing and no sub-lot sale

Imported lots need traceability. The circular says rough-diamond lots cannot be mixed during viewing/sale and no sub-lot sale is permitted.

These controls help Customs connect the imported parcel, sale invoice, valuation and eventual domestic clearance or re-export.

60-day repacking and 75-day export timeline

After viewing or sale, the diamonds must be repacked lot-wise no later than 60 days from import. Unsold lots then need a shipping bill for export within 75 days from import.

The two timelines serve different purposes: repacking restores lot integrity, while the 75-day rule prevents unsold goods from remaining indefinitely in the customs area.

Simple transaction example

A foreign miner sends three rough-diamond lots into the SNZ. Indian buyers purchase two lots and one remains unsold. The sold lots require sale invoices, bills of entry, assessment and duty payment before removal.

The unsold lot must be repacked and re-exported within the prescribed timeline. The miner cannot simply split one imported lot into smaller sub-lots for separate sale if the circular prohibits that.

Valuation of sold lots

The sale invoice generated after auction, bidding or negotiation becomes an important document for declaring value under Section 14 of the Customs Act. Price discovery inside the SNZ therefore feeds directly into customs clearance.

Buyers should preserve auction/sale records because valuation disputes can have duty consequences.

What not to misunderstand

Do not say the new SNZ is automatically operational from the circular date; written Customs authorisation is still required. Do not say imported stones are duty-free domestic sales.

Sold lots must go through bill-of-entry assessment and applicable duty payment before out-of-charge. Unsold lots follow the re-export route.

What to watch next

Watch for the Commissioner's written operational authorisation, custodian arrangements and de-notification of the old Gujarat Hira Bourse SNZ. The circular says closure/de-notification of the old location should be initiated after the new facility becomes operational.

Diamond businesses should align logistics, security and documentation processes before using the new site.

Finin2min bottom line

CBIC is moving the controlled rough-diamond viewing and sale facility into Surat Diamond Bourse, but the compliance framework remains tight. Air-cargo routing, lot integrity, 60/75-day timelines and Customs clearance of sold stones are the practical rules that matter.

Source record

• *Controlling source:** Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs — Circular 44/2026-Customs
• *Source reference:** CBIC Circular No. 44/2026-Customs dated 28 Sep 2026 — Surat International Diatrade Centre / Surat Diamond Bourse SNZ
• *Source URL:** https://taxinformation.cbic.gov.in/view-pdf/1003346/ENG/Circulars

The official CBIC circular is the controlling source for the compliance details above.

Disclaimer

This material is for general information and education only. It is not investment, tax, legal, accounting or financial advice. Verify the latest controlling source before taking a material decision.