New Delhi, September 24, 2025: The Government of India has restricted imports of silver and unstudded jewellery until March 31, 2026, shifting their status from Free to Restricted. Importers will now need a DGFT license to bring in these goods.
The move follows a sharp rise in silver jewellery imports, particularly from Thailand, which accounted for 98% of inflows despite not being a silver-producing country. Authorities suspect misuse of zero-duty benefits under the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA), prompting tighter controls.
Key Products Affected:
- Articles of jewellery
- Silver parts of precious metals
- Unstudded silver jewellery
Alongside, the DGFT also revised the export policy for non-basmati rice. Exporters must now register contracts with APEDA before shipment, aiming to prevent domestic shortages, ensure food security, and monitor trade flows. India’s non-basmati rice exports reached $4.7 billion (Apr–Aug FY26), a 6.4% YoY increase.
These dual measures underscore India’s focus on balancing trade facilitation with domestic market stability and compliance under free trade agreements.
