Govt lowers import tariff value of gold, silver

18 Oct 2013 Evaluate

The government has reduced the import tariff value of gold and silver to $418 per 10 gram and $699 per kg, respectively, in line with global rates of the precious metals, which could lead to some softening in the price of the precious metal. Tariff value or the base price is set to determine the customs duty on the precious metal and to prevent under invoicing. Earlier, tariff value was fixed at $436 per 10 gram for gold and $702 per kg for silver during the last fortnight. Further, the government’s move will provide some respite to consumers in ongoing festival season in the country.

However, rising gold import has become a cause of concern for the government as it remains second major factor after crude oil for widening the current account deficit (CAD) of the country. Indian CAD widened to a record high of 4.9 percent of GDP in the April-June quarter, 2013. The government has set target to contain country’s CAD at 3.7 percent of GDP for the current fiscal.

Meanwhile, the government’s measures to contain the gold imports have started yielding as imports of gold and silver plunged more than 80% to $0.8 billion in September from $4.6 billion a year earlier. Recently, apex bank has introduced 80/20 rule under which 20% of all gold imports by jewellers has to be re-exported. India’s gold import is likely to come down to between 800-850 tonnes from 950 tonnes in FY13 on the back of sharp hike in import duty by the government and restrictions by the RBI.

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