Import duty on Gold in unwrought form, 99.5% purity or higher (HS 71081210) from the UAE to India
HS 71081210 · UAE to India · GOLD
Data last updated: · MFN duty & IGST verified against ICEGATE (Indian Customs EDI). CEPA preferential rate per the India–UAE CEPA schedule. Verify your exact HS line before filing.
Import restricted
Gold and silver are Restricted under India's ITC(HS) import policy: only nominated agencies, nominated banks and qualified jewellers may import them, and CEPA tariff-rate-quota gold must be routed through the India International Bullion Exchange at GIFT City. An ordinary IEC holder cannot import these lines directly. source ↗
Duty breakdown on a ₹10,00,000 shipment
Enter your own value to recalculate the table below.
| Component | Standard (MFN) | CEPA |
|---|---|---|
| Basic customs duty | ₹1,00,000 | ₹1,00,000 |
| Social Welfare Surcharge | ₹10,000 | ₹10,000 |
| IGST | ₹33,300 | ₹33,300 |
| Total duty | ₹1,43,300 | ₹1,43,300 |
CEPA duty saving on this example: ₹0 (no basic-duty benefit at these rates). Run your own numbers in the import-duty estimator. New to BCD, SWS and IGST? See the glossary.
What drives the rate
Importing gold in unwrought form, 99.5% purity or higher (HS 71081210) from the UAE to India attracts a 10% MFN basic customs duty, and CEPA does not reduce it — this line is excluded from India's tariff offer, so the 10% MFN rate applies whatever the origin. Unwrought fine gold — bars and ingots at 99.5% and above — is the single largest item in the India–UAE trade by value, which is precisely why it is excluded from the general CEPA concession. India instead grants a limited tariff-rate quota with a small margin, routed through the India International Bullion Exchange, rather than opening the 10% MFN duty to zero. Outside that quota the full duty applies. Treat this line as a channel question first: without nominated-agency or qualified-jeweller status, direct import is not available at any duty rate. IGST of 3% is creditable, but the basic duty here is a real cost. Confirm the live rate on ICEGATE before filing.
Import compliance & clearances
Beyond duty, importing gold in unwrought form, 99.5% purity or higher (HS 71081210) into India requires the following regulatory clearances. The CEPA preferential rate does not waive any of these — they apply regardless of origin.
- DGFT Restricted — gold/silver importable only through nominated agencies / qualified jewellers; CEPA TRQ imports routed through IIBX source ↗
Indicative and non-exhaustive — verify the current DGFT / BIS / FSSAI / CDSCO notification for your exact 8-digit HS line before importing. Not customs or legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the import duty on gold in unwrought form, 99.5% purity or higher from the UAE to India?
- The basic customs duty is 10%. This line is largely excluded from India–UAE CEPA, so no preferential rate applies. SWS adds 10% on the basic duty and 3% IGST applies on top.
- How much can CEPA save on gold in unwrought form, 99.5% purity or higher?
- At current rates there is no basic-duty saving on this line under CEPA, so the landed duty is the same as the MFN route.
- What do I need to claim the CEPA rate on gold in unwrought form, 99.5% purity or higher?
- A valid preferential Certificate of Origin (eCoO 2.0) proving UAE origin under the Rules of Origin. Without it, customs charges the 10% MFN rate.