Duty hike to 15% widens UAE-CEPA arbitrage; Dubai gold route set to swell
India's gold import duty jump from 6% to 15% pushes effective duty to 18.45%, while UAE CEPA holds at 14% with quota rising to 200 tonnes by 2027. Tanishq, Kalyan, Malabar face reshaped sourcing economics as Dubai-routed gold and silver (already +150% YoY) gain edge.
What happened
Government of India · India's gold import duty hike from 6% to 15% widens the tariff gap with UAE CEPA route (14%), likely boosting Dubai-routed gold and silver
Key facts
- 6% to 15% gold duty
- 14% UAE CEPA rate
- 120 tonnes quota rising to 200 tonnes by 2027
- silver duty 7% vs 15% MFN
- effective duty 18.45%
- $72 billion gold imports FY25-26
- silver imports +150% YoY
Why this matters
Evaluate UAE-based refining or sourcing JV partners now to lock in CEPA quota access before peers crowd the 200-tonne ceiling by 2027.