Archive · 17 Nov 2025
India Restricts Platinum Jewellery Imports to Curb FTA Misuse
India has put new rules on importing certain types of platinum jewellery.
Before, anyone could bring it in without special permission.
Now, you need a license from the government to do so.
This is because some people were bringing in gold jewellery and saying it was platinum to avoid paying extra taxes.
The government wants to stop this from happening and make sure everyone pays the right taxes.
They did something similar with silver jewellery before.
India has imposed import restrictions on certain types of unstudded platinum jewellery.
The import policy has been changed from 'Free' to 'Restricted', effective immediately until April 30, 2026.
This move aims to prevent traders from misusing Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to evade import duties.
Traders were reportedly importing gold disguised as platinum jewellery from countries like Thailand to circumvent tariffs.
Similar import curbs were previously implemented for certain silver jewellery to address similar duty evasion tactics.
- Who
- The Government of India (Directorate General of Foreign Trade)
- What
- Imposed import curbs on certain types of platinum jewellery, changing policy from 'Free' to 'Restricted'.
- When
- Effective immediately, November 17, 2025, until April 30, 2026.
- Where
- India
- Why
- To prevent traders from exploiting Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), specifically the India-ASEAN FTA, to evade import duties on precious metals like gold by importing them as unstudded platinum jewellery.
Government Rationale
Trade Practices Observation
Preventing Duty Evasion via Free Trade Agreements
Government Rationale
The government has imposed restrictions on certain types of platinum jewellery imports to prevent the misuse of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), particularly with ASEAN nations like Thailand. This is to stop traders from exploiting duty differentials and circumventing tariffs by importing precious metals under the guise of unstudded jewellery.
Trade Practices Observation
Traders were attempting to exploit the India-ASEAN FTA by importing platinum jewellery containing significant amounts of gold from member countries like Thailand. By labeling it as platinum jewellery, they bypassed import duties applicable to gold, thus circumventing tariffs for profit.
Mechanism for Control and Future Policy
Government Rationale
The import policy for platinum jewellery has been changed from 'Free' to 'Restricted' with immediate effect until April 30, 2026, requiring importers to obtain a license from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). The government is learning from these trade practices to develop future rules of origin that can address such issues without needing specific notifications.
Trade Practices Observation
Similar import curbs were previously imposed on certain silver jewellery until March 31, indicating a pattern of the government reacting to perceived loopholes in trade agreements. This restriction, effective immediately, requires importers to secure a license, potentially impacting the flow of goods.
- Effective Date
- Immediately, November 17, 2025
- Restriction End Date
- April 30, 2026
- Restricted Item
- Certain types of platinum jewellery
- Previous Import Policy
- Free Import
- Current Import Policy
- Restricted (requires license from DGFT)
- Relevant FTA
- India-Asean Free Trade Agreement
- Reason for Restriction
- To curb misuse of FTAs and prevent circumvention of tariffs on precious metals, particularly gold.
- Related Action
- Similar restrictions were imposed on certain silver jewellery imports earlier.
Sources
Govt imposes import curbs on certain platinum jewellery
India imposes curbs on select platinum jewellery imports; licence now required
Govt restricts imports of unstudded articles of platinum jewellery
After silver, govt curbs platinum jewellery imports till April 2026
Government imposes restrictions on imports of certain platinum jewellery — details here
Centre Restricts Imports Of Unstudded Platinum Jewellery; Here's Why
Govt imposes import curbs on certain platinum jewellery to chek misuse of FTAs
