India revises customs duty on precious-metal findings and spent catalyst
Jewellery importers must apply revised duty rates to findings and spent catalyst
Change
India revised customs duty rates from 13 May 2026 for precious-metal findings and specified spent catalyst or ash, setting 5% for gold and silver findings, 5.4% for platinum findings and 4.35% for qualifying precious-metal spent catalyst.
Why it matters
The change affects customs classification and landed-cost calculations for jewellery components and precious-metal recovery inputs. Importers must distinguish finished precious-metal goods from findings such as hooks, clasps, clamps, pins, catches and screw backs. The 4.35% rate for spent catalyst or ash is conditional, so importers need evidence that the concessional-duty compliance criteria are met.
Implications
- — Jewellery import compliance teams must classify gold, silver and platinum findings separately from other precious-metal goods — the amended rates apply 5% duty to gold and silver findings and 5.4% to platinum findings from 13 May 2026.
- — Customs brokers clearing precious-metal findings must check the item description against the notification definition — misclassifying components such as hooks, clasps, clamps, pins, catches or screw backs can lead to incorrect duty payment.
- — Importers of precious-metal spent catalyst or ash must preserve end-use and recovery-related compliance evidence before claiming the 4.35% concessional duty rate — without the required criteria, the concessional rate is not available.
Who is affected
- — Jewellery import compliance teams
- — Customs brokers clearing precious-metal findings
- — Importers of precious-metal spent catalyst or ash
- — Landed-cost and procurement teams sourcing jewellery components
What to watch
- — 13 May 2026: revised customs duty rates apply to covered precious-metal findings and qualifying spent catalyst or ash.