DGFT caps duty-free gold imports at 100 kg per licence, tightens checks on jewellery exporters

India's DGFT has capped duty-free gold imports under the advance-authorisation scheme at 100 kg per licence, mandated physical inspection of first-time applicants, and tied fresh permissions to 50% fulfilment of prior export obligations. Fortnightly reports now required — squeezing diversion risks for jewellery exporters.

— FiledThu, 14 May, 2026, 20:16 IST·First seen Thu, 14 May, 2026, 21:16 IST·Source NDTV Profit

What happened

DGFT caps duty-free gold imports under advance-authorisation scheme at 100 kg per licence, mandates physical inspection of first-time applicants, and ties fresh

Key facts

  • 100 kg per licence
  • 50% export obligation
  • fortnightly reports

Why this matters

Diversion-risk crackdown narrows the field—target acquisitions of compliant mid-tier jewellery exporters with clean export-obligation track records, as smaller non-compliant rivals lose licence access and become distressed.