India tightens gold import rules under UAE trade pact

India’s  Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has revised procedures for allocating tariff rate quotas for gold imports under the India–UAE CEPA, introducing new eligibility criteria and shifting to a competitive online bidding system. The notification said the changes reflect the government’s broader push to make TRQ allocations more transparent, technology-driven, and policy-aligned with evolving trade priorities.

Earlier, the DGFT had also tightened export compliance requirements for jewellery manufacturers operating under the advance authorisation scheme to plug procedural loopholes amid a surge in gold imports — a major factor behind India’s widening trade deficit.

The DGFT aligned export timelines with the FTP 2023, mandating exporters to fulfil their export obligations within 120 days of import and eliminating the earlier provision that allowed time extensions.