DGFT tightens gold Advance Authorisation controls for gems and jewellery
Gold AA applicants face a 100 kg cap, inspection and export-obligation checks
Change
DGFT inserted new SION notes for Gems and Jewellery M-1 to M-8, adding a 100 kg gold import cap, first-time applicant inspection, 50% export-obligation condition and reporting duties for gold Advance Authorisations.
Why it matters
The public notice changes gold Advance Authorisation from a routine input entitlement into a monitored authorisation workflow. First-time applicants must pass facility verification before issuance. Repeat authorisations depend on export-obligation progress, while holders and Regional Authorities must report import and export performance at fixed intervals.
Implications
- — Gems and jewellery exporters applying for gold Advance Authorisation must cap requested gold imports at 100 kilograms — applications above the permissible quantity limit cannot proceed under the amended SION notes.
- — First-time gold Advance Authorisation applicants must be ready for physical inspection of manufacturing facilities — Regional Authorities must verify existence, capacity and operational status before issuance.
- — Exporters seeking subsequent gold Advance Authorisations must fulfil at least 50% of the export obligation under preceding gold authorisations — repeat issuance is blocked without the required export-obligation progress.
- — Advance Authorisation holders must submit fortnightly Chartered Accountant-certified performance reports to the Regional Authority — gold import and export activity under the authorisation now requires recurring certified reporting.
- — DGFT Regional Authorities must send monthly consolidated reports to DGFT headquarters — authorisation issuance and corresponding gold import/export transactions must be centrally monitored.
Who is affected
- — Gems and jewellery exporters applying for gold Advance Authorisation
- — First-time gold Advance Authorisation applicants
- — DGFT Regional Authorities
- — Export compliance teams managing SION M-1 to M-8 authorisations
- — Chartered Accountants certifying gold import and export performance reports
What to watch
- — 14 May 2026: new SION notes for M-1 to M-8 take effect immediately.