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New Restrictions on Gold and Precious Metal Jewellery Imports

New Restrictions on Gold and Precious Metal Jewellery Imports
  • Updates
  • 4 minute read

Landscape for jewellery imports in India has just seen a significant shift. In a strategic move to regulate the influx of precious metals and support the domestic industry, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) vide Notification No. 02/2026-27 – DGFT | Dated: 01 April 2026 has officially moved the import of certain jewellery items from the “Free” category to the “Restricted” category.

At Sriya Enterprise, – FEMA and International Trade advisory firm, we believe in keeping our partners and clients ahead of the curve. Here is everything you need to know about these changes and how they might impact your operations.

Previously, jewellery imports from ASEAN countries (The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is an intergovernmental organization fostering economic, political, and security cooperation among 10 member states in Southeast Asia (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam)—

Of which – Thailand—enjoyed a “Free” import status. This allowed for relatively seamless trade. However, under the new notification, the government has tightened the screws.

Key Changes Include:

  • Most jewelry studded with pearls, diamonds, and other precious metals now requires a valid import license from the DGFT.
  • While the policy is broad, it is specifically designed to curb the surge of imports from ASEAN nations that have been utilizing Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to enter the Indian market.
  • The transition from “Free” to “Restricted” means that importers can no longer bring these goods in without prior government authorization.

The Exceptions: SEZs and EOUs

It isn’t all hurdles, though. The government has provided specific exemptions to ensure that India’s export engine continues to run smoothly.

The Exemption Rule: Units located in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Export Oriented Units (EOUs) are exempt from these new licensing requirements.

The Catch: This exemption only holds as long as the imported goods are used for export purposes. If these units attempt to sell the imported jewellery into the Domestic Tariff Area (DTA), they will be subject to the same restrictions and licensing protocols as any other domestic business.

Effect of the Notification: The Import Policy of items under CTH 7113 is revised from “Free” to “Restricted” with immediate effect. These restrictions shall apply notwithstanding Para 1.05(b) of FTP 2023 and shall operate irrespective of any prior contract, irrevocable letter of credit, advance payment, shipment status, or any other commitment whatsoever. Accordingly, the benefit of transitional arrangements shall not be available. However, the restrictions will not apply to the categories of imports mentioned at Para 4 of the Notification.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The DGFT has moved certain gold and precious metal jewellery imports from the “Free” category to the “Restricted” category under Notification No. 02/2026-27. Importers now need a valid import license from DGFT to import these jewellery items into India.

Most jewellery studded with pearls, diamonds, and other precious metals falling under CTH 7113 are now classified under the Restricted category and require prior government authorization for import.

Yes. The policy change is partly aimed at regulating imports from ASEAN countries, especially Thailand, where jewellery imports previously had Free import status under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).

Yes. Special Economic Zone (SEZ) units and Export Oriented Units (EOUs) are exempt from import licensing requirements, but only if the imported jewellery is used for export purposes and not sold in the Domestic Tariff Area (DTA).

Yes. The notification clearly states that the restriction applies immediately and regardless of prior contracts, irrevocable letters of credit, advance payments, or shipment status. Transitional arrangements are not applicable.

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