DGFT Tightens Rules for Gold Imports under Advance Authorisation Scheme

Ø Advance Authorisation (AA) for gold imports will now be limited to a maximum of 100 kg.

· DGFT has inserted five new notes under SIONs M-1 to M-8 of the Gems and Jewellery Product Group under FTP 2023.

· Advance Authorisation (AA) for gold imports will now be limited to a maximum of 100 kg.

· First-time applicants must undergo mandatory physical inspection of their manufacturing facility by the concerned Regional Authority (RA).

· Subsequent gold import authorisations will be issued only after fulfilment of at least 50% of export obligation under previous authorisations.

· AA holders must submit a fortnightly CA-certified performance report on gold imports and exports to the concerned RA.

· Regional Authorities will send monthly consolidated reports to DGFT Headquarters for centralized monitoring and policy oversight.

· The measures aim to strengthen compliance, monitoring, and transparency in gold imports under the Advance Authorisation Scheme.

[DGFT Public Notice No. 11/2026-27 dated 14 May, 2026]

Effect of this Public Notice: 05 (Five) Notes are inserted under SIONs M-1 to M-8 of the Handbook of Procedures, 2023, prescribing conditions for the issuance and monitoring of Advance Authorisations for import of gold.

Subject: Insertion of SION notes below the SIONs M1 to M8.

In exercise of the powers conferred under paragraph 1.03 & 2.04 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023, as amended from time to time, the Director General of Foreign Trade hereby notifies the insertion of the following Notes under Standard Input Output Norms (SIONs) M-1 to M-8 (Gems and Jewellery Product Group), with immediate effect.

Note 1. Advance Authorisation (AA) for import of gold shall be issued, subject to a maximum permissible quantity limit of 100 kilograms.

Note 2. In case of application for Advance Authorisation by a fast-time applicant, a mandatory physical inspection of the applicant's manufacturing facility shall be undertaken by the concerned regional authority to verify the existence, capacity and operational status of the manufacturing facility.

Note 3. Any subsequent Advance Authorisation for the import of gold, shall be considered for issuance only upon fulfilment of at least 50% of the export obligation prescribed under the preceding Advance Authorisations for gold, thereby ensuring progressive compliance and monitoring.

Note 4. The Advance Authorisation holder shall submit a fortnightly performance report to the concerned Regional Authority {RA), duly certified by an independent Chartered Accountant certifying gold imports and exports undertaken under the authorisation, to facilitate effective oversight and compliance monitoring.

Note 5. The concerned Regional Authority shall submit a monthly consolidated report to DGFT Headquarters containing details regarding the issuance of Advance Authorisations and corresponding import/export transactions of gold, to enable centralised monitoring and policy oversight.

(Issued from File No. 01/94/180/015/AM27/PC-4)