India's 15% gold duty hike threatens retail prices, may push trade to grey markets: SBI

SBI Research warns the hiked 15% gold import duty will widen the gap between global and domestic prices, pressure organised jewellery retailers, and divert supply to grey channels. Rising import values reflect price, not volume — a red flag for festive demand.

— FiledFri, 15 May, 2026, 07:12 IST·First seen Fri, 15 May, 2026, 06:54 IST·Source Times of India · Business

What happened

Government of India · India has hiked gold import duty to 15%, which SBI Research warns could widen the gap between global and domestic prices, lift retail gold

Key facts

  • 15%

Why this matters

Duty-driven dislocation may accelerate consolidation opportunities as smaller unorganised players lose share to grey channels, opening M&A windows for scaled retailers with compliant sourcing.