National News
Gold imports up 40.79 pc to USD 2.68 bn in Jan
The country’s gold imports in January rose by 40.79 per cent to USD 2.68 billion on account of increasing domestic demands, according to commerce ministry data.Gold imports stood at USD 1.9 billion in January 2024.Cumulatively, imports during April-January this fiscal year rose 32 per cent to USD 50 billion against USD 37.85 billion in the same period last fiscal year.
The increase in imports also indicates strong investor confidence in the precious metal as a safe asset. The other reasons include asset diversification towards gold due to global uncertainties, increasing demand from banks, and cut in customs duties.Prices of the yellow metal have increased 11 per cent so far this year to ₹88,200 per 10 gram in the national capital.
National News
Smuggled Gold Distorting India’s Bullion Market
Sharp Rise In Smuggled Gold, Driven Largely By The May 2026 Hike In Import Duty To 15%, Which Has Made The Grey Market Significantly Cheaper Than Legal Channels and Squeezed Legitimate Dealers and Jewellers
India’s bullion market is being skewed by a sharp rise in smuggled gold, driven largely by the May 2026 hike in import duty to 15%, which has made the grey market significantly cheaper than legal channels and squeezed legitimate dealers and jewellers.
Market distortion and price gap
- Smuggled gold is now selling at discounts of up to Rs 8,000 per 10 grams compared with official prices, creating a wide arbitrage that undercuts compliant traders.
- Industry executives warn that this price gap is a clear signal of an active grey market, disadvantaging genuine bullion dealers and organised jewellers who pay full duty and taxes.
Scale of illegal inflows
- Industry estimates suggest more than 100 tonnes of gold could enter India through illegal channels in 2026, echoing past surges in smuggling after earlier duty hikes.
- Despite the higher tariff, India’s gold import bill rose 24% to a record $71.9 billion in FY26, even as physical volumes fell to about 721 tonnes, indicating persistent demand being met partly via unofficial routes.
Enforcement response
- Revenue intelligence agencies, particularly the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), have intensified operations against organised smuggling networks using airports, land borders, coastal routes and domestic road transport
-
National News11 hours agoSmuggled Gold Distorting India’s Bullion Market
-
National News11 hours agoRBI Explores Gold Tokenisation As Potential Next Step In Digital Finance
-
International News9 hours agoVicenzaoro September 2026 Closes With Stronger International Footprint
-
DiamondBuzz11 hours agoCIBJO Backs ‘synthetic’ As Sole Label For Man-Made Diamonds
JewelBuzz is Asia’s First Digital Jewellery Media & India’s No.1 B2B Jewellery Magazine, published by AM Media House. Since 2016, we’ve been the trusted source for jewellery news, market trends, trade insights, exhibitions, podcasts, and brand stories, connecting jewellers, retailers, and industry professionals worldwide.