National News
GJEPC and PCCCC Meet to Address Customs Clearance Challenges
On 5th February 2025, the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) hosted a significant meeting at its head office in Mumbai, bringing together Customs House Agents (CHAs) from the Precious Cargo Customs Clearance Centre (PCCCC) and various other stakeholders.
The primary focus of the meeting was to address the ongoing challenges faced in the export and import clearance process, particularly the daily operational hurdles encountered during parcel clearance with customs officials.
The meeting provided a platform for participants to engage in open dialogue and share the various difficulties they face while managing customs procedures. These included issues related to the timeliness of clearance, paperwork discrepancies, communication gaps, and other operational bottlenecks that often delay the smooth transit of goods. The participants discussed these challenges in detail, aiming to identify practical solutions to streamline the entire process.
In response to the discussions, GJEPC has requested all involved stakeholders to compile and submit a comprehensive report outlining the specific challenges faced in customs clearance, as well as providing suggestions for potential system improvements. These reports are expected to play a crucial role in identifying areas that require attention and in formulating effective solutions that will enhance the overall efficiency of the customs operations.
GJEPC aims to use these insights to work closely with the relevant authorities and stakeholders to improve the integration process, ensuring a more seamless experience for businesses involved in the import and export of precious cargo. The initiative is expected to contribute significantly to reducing delays, improving transparency, and boosting the overall efficiency of the jewellery trade’s customs clearance procedures.
National News
WGC India Gold Market Update: Import Tightening
Part Of A Broader Push To Conserve Foreign Exchange Reserves Amid Geopolitical Uncertainty and Mounting Pressure On The INR
HighlightsÂ
- Gold import duty was raised sharply by 9%– from 6% to 15%, the steepest increase on record – alongside broader regulatory tightening
- Domestic gold prices have not yet fully reflected the duty hike amid weak demand and ample supply; local markets are currently in deep discount from the landed price
- Past trends indicate that higher duty increases unofficial inflows, although official imports remain relatively resilient
- Gold demand is expected to moderate in 2026, with jewellery and bar and coin demand projected to decline by 50–60t (~10% y/y) on account of the import duty hike.
Policy actions on gold imports
Since early April, the government has adopted a series of measures aimed at moderating gold imports. These have been part of a broader push to conserve foreign exchange reserves amid geopolitical uncertainty and mounting pressure on the INR, which has depreciated by more than 7% y-t-d. These measures include price-based actions, administrative and regulatory tightening, and consumer-directed messaging. While noteworthy, they are not unprecedented; gold is among the top five imports for India, accounting for 8% of the country’s merchandise imports in 2025, and similar measures have been utilised in the past.
On the price front, the gold import duty was raised sharply from 6% to 15%, making it the single largest increase on record and fully reversing the duty cut of July 2024. Rules were also tightened for gold imports linked to exports (under the advance authorisation scheme), and the Prime Minister has directly appealed to consumers, urging them to avoid buying gold for a year.
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