The Ministry of Finance has issued a fresh customs notification introducing important amendments in import duty rates applicable to precious metals, jewellery findings, spent catalysts and related goods under the Customs Act, 1962. The revised provisions will come into force from May 13, 2026.
The changes have been notified through Notification No. 16/2026-Customs dated May 12, 2026, issued by the Department of Revenue. The notification amends earlier customs notifications issued in 2018 and 2021 dealing with concessional import duties and tariff structures for precious metals and related products.
Key Customs Duty Changes Announced
Under the latest amendments, the government has revised customs duty rates for multiple tariff headings, including gold, silver, platinum findings and spent catalyst imports containing precious metals.
The notification substitutes tariff entries under Notification No. 11/2018-Customs and expands the scope of specified tariff headings by including headings 7107, 7108, 7109, 7111 and 7112.
Further, several duty rates under Notification No. 11/2021-Customs have been revised as follows:
- Customs duty for certain specified entries has been revised to 5.4%
- Some categories now attract 4.35% duty
- Certain imports of precious metal goods will attract 5% customs duty
- Exemption benefits continue for selected goods covered under Notification No. 57/2000-Customs
Changes for Spent Catalyst and Precious Metal Ash Imports
One of the notable amendments relates to imports of spent catalyst or ash containing precious metals under tariff heading 7112.
The government has prescribed a concessional customs duty rate of 4.35% for such imports, subject to compliance with the Customs (Import of Goods at Concessional Rate of Duty or for Specified End Use) Rules, 2022.
Importers will now be required to:
- Provide an undertaking regarding the percentage of precious metals contained in the imported material
- Confirm that the goods are imported for the recovery of precious metals
- Submit a certificate from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change permitting import for recycling or recovery purposes
Goods under heading 7112 other than the specified spent catalyst category will attract 5% customs duty.
Duty Revised for Jewellery Findings
The notification also revises customs duty rates applicable to jewellery findings under tariff heading 7113.
The revised rates include:
- Gold findings - 5%
- Silver findings - 5%
- Platinum findings - 5.4%
The notification clarifies that findings refer to small jewellery components such as hooks, clasps, clamps, pins, catches and screw backs used in jewellery manufacturing.
New Tariff Entries Added
The government has also inserted fresh tariff entries for:
- Heading 7107 00 00 - All goods at 5% duty
- Heading 7109 00 00 - All goods at 5% duty
- Heading 7111 00 00 - All goods at 5.4% duty
In addition, gold and silver imports covered under Notification No. 57/2000-Customs will now attract 4.35% customs duty under the revised structure.
Effective Date
The Finance Ministry has clarified that all amendments introduced through Notification No. 16/2026-Customs will become effective from May 13, 2026.
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