DGFT Tightens Import Restrictions On Precious Metal Alloys & Chemical Compounds Containing Gold

New Delhi, Jun 20 (KNN) The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has issued two new notifications—No. 18/2025-26 and No. 19/2025-26, both dated 17 June 2025. 

The notifications introduce restrictions on the import of certain precious metal alloys and chemical compounds to enhance regulatory oversight while ensuring uninterrupted supply for legitimate industrial use.

Under Notification No. 18/2025-26, the DGFT has restricted the import of alloys containing Palladium, Rhodium, and Iridium with more than 1 percent gold by weight. 

This measure extends the earlier restriction on Platinum imports (Notification No. 60/2024-25 dated 5 March 2025) to cover the entire Customs Tariff Heading (CTH) 7110 at the 4-digit level. 

The move is aimed at harmonising the import policy framework across all precious metals and their alloys.

However, in a calibrated trade facilitation approach, the import of alloys with less than 1 percent gold content remains free. 

This ensures the continued availability of essential raw materials for sectors such as electronics, automotive components, and specialised chemical manufacturing.

In a related move, DGFT has issued Notification No. 19/2025-26 to regulate imports under CTH 2843, which includes colloidal metals, amalgams, and certain chemical compounds. 

The decision was prompted by concerns over gold being imported disguised as chemical compounds to bypass restrictions.

While imports under this category will now require an import authorisation, exemptions have been made for industrial users, including the electronics, electrical, and chemical sectors. 

Detailed guidelines and procedures are available on the official DGFT website: https://dgft.gov.in.

(KNN Bureau)