India gold discounts hit record $207/oz as 15% duty hike freezes jewellery counters

India's gold import duty jump to 15% from 6%, plus a 3% sales levy, pushed domestic discounts to an all-time $207/oz with prices spiking to ₹1,64,497/10g. Jewellers and retail buyers in Mumbai and Hyderabad stepped back while investors sold; duty-free jewellery export imports capped at 100kg per licence. China premiums held firm in contrast.

— Source publishedFri, 15 May, 2026, 12:21 IST·First seen Fri, 15 May, 2026, 12:26 IST·Source The Hindu BusinessLine

What happened

India Gold Market · India's gold import duty hike to 15% from 6% drove domestic discounts to a record $207/oz as demand collapsed; jewellers and retail buyers

Key facts

  • $207/oz discount
  • 15% import duty
  • 3% sales levy
  • ₹1,60,500 per 10g
  • ₹1,64,497 peak
  • 100 kg per licence cap

Why this matters

The 15% duty plus 3% sales levy and 100kg export-license cap reshape the competitive landscape, opening windows to acquire stressed regional jewellers or lock in duty-free export licenses before consolidation accelerates.