Notification No. 18/2025-26, Dated 17-06-2025
1. Introduction
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has issued a notification introducing changes to the import policy of certain items classified under Chapter 71 of the ITC (HS) 2022 of Schedule-I (Import Policy). This update is aimed at regulating the import of specific precious metal alloys.
2. Import Policy Status for Select ITC(HS) Codes
The import policy for the following ITC(HS) codes continues to remain under the ‘Free’ category:
- 71102100 – Base metals, clad with silver, not further worked than semi-manufactured
- 71102900 – Other base metals, clad with silver
- 71103100 – Base metals, clad with gold, not further worked than semi-manufactured
- 71103900 – Other base metals, clad with gold
- 71104100 – Base metals, clad with platinum, not further worked than semi-manufactured
- 71104900 – Other base metals, clad with platinum
These items can be imported without any prior license or restriction, subject to compliance with standard documentation and customs procedures.
3. Import of Gold-Containing Palladium, Rhodium, and Iridium Alloys Now ‘Restricted’
While the general import status remains unchanged for the above ITC(HS) codes, the DGFT has specifically restricted the import of alloys of Palladium, Rhodium, and Iridium that contain more than 1% by weight of gold.
- Such imports will now fall under the ‘Restricted’ category.
- Importers will need to obtain a license or specific authorisation from DGFT before importing these gold-containing alloys.
- This measure is likely introduced to strengthen gold import monitoring and prevent misuse or misclassification under the guise of alloy imports.
