Dubai: Customs officials are on the rise, thwarting passengers attempting to transport unauthorized quantities of gold in their hand baggage. A sweeping international campaign to clamp down on illicit hand-carry gold trade is gaining momentum, intensifying scrutiny for travelers carrying this valuable metal in their hand luggage.

As disclosed by Khaleej Times, the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) and the World Gold Council have collaborated to standardize global regulations and procedures. Their joint mission is to tackle the challenge posed by travelers engaging in illicit gold trade and bridge the gap in the responsible sourcing and trade of gold.

This collaboration seeks to establish standardized regulations, ensuring that travelers worldwide, including those in the UAE, India, China, Pakistan, Europe, the Americas, and beyond, can carry a specified amount or value of gold in their hand-carry luggage. Khaleej Times was the first to report on this united effort to control the illicit trade of gold and jewelry in hand-carry luggage.

Andrew Naylor, head of Middle East and Public Policy at the World Gold Council, emphasized that individuals often transport a significant amount of gold in hand-carry across borders. This lack of transparency can inadvertently facilitate illicit trade, leading to issues of irresponsible sourcing. Gold, at times, is exploited for illicit purposes by using hand-carry methods to avoid detection, he noted during a conference in Dubai.

"Stricter measures on hand-carry gold are an urgent priority. The positive impact this initiative will have on legitimate gold mining communities worldwide is immeasurable. This is a prime example of how Dubai and the UAE are demonstrating a true desire to enact positive industry reforms. We are proud to work alongside the World Gold Council on this crucial matter," stated Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and CEO of DMCC.

Both the World Gold Council and DMCC are poised to conduct extensive research and engage in discussions with stakeholders worldwide. This will cover both legitimate and illegal aspects of hand-carried gold trade, with a specific focus on the role of hand-carry methods.

Upon agreement on acceptable personal limits and the establishment of standardized customs declaration and digital tracking processes, these recommendations will be enshrined in laws and implemented globally.