The customs department office at Surat Hira Bourse has started giving clearance to imported rough diamond parcels. The parcels were released to importers after due formalities.
They were not given clearance as the online system of the customs department ICEGATE was down due to some technical reason for over a week.
TOI had earlier reported how the work of hundreds of diamond artisans was getting affected due to the issue.
In the absence of an online system, diamond importers had requested the customs office to complete the formalities offline. To this request, customs officials insisted that the GST should be paid offline. When the online system comes into effect, it would start online too.
When importers objected to the collection of GST twice, they were informed that they will have to claim refund of offline GST later.
Meanwhile, to ensure that the importers and the diamond polishing units do not suffer further loss, the customs department continued working on Sunday. Sources in the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council said the customs department has resolved the technical issue and the system started working properly.
“Customs have started releasing parcels and they are not insisting on the offline GST at present. We hope things will remain normal now,” said a rough diamnd importer.