NEW DELHI/MUMBAI, Jan 25 (Reuters): India's commerce ministry has backed a long-standing demand from the jewellery industry to reduce import tariffs on gold bars, government and industry officials said, amid concern the duties were further harming the country's faltering jewellery exports.
The commerce ministry's support for lowering the tariffs comes ahead of the federal budget due next week. If a reduction in the taxes is accepted, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman could announce the decision in her interim budget on Feb. 1.
The Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) has urged the government to reduce import tariffs on all types of gold to 5 per cent from 15 per cent, and lower the customs duty on cut and polished diamonds, to reduce costs for India's jewellers.
"India's customs duty on gold is among the highest globally," said Vipul Shah, chairman of the GJEPC.
Lower duties would boost exports and reduce imports through illegal channels, he said.
Earlier this week, the government raised the import duty on gold and silver findings - hooks, clasps and other fittings used in making jewellery - to 15 per cent from 11 per cent to keep importers from bringing in gold classified as findings to save on taxes.
Millions of Indians visiting Dubai and Singapore have also been bringing gold jewellery back home to escape the relatively high local prices due to the import taxes, industry leaders said, hurting local industry and cutting into state revenue.
The commerce ministry has supported the industry's demand for lower taxes, said a senior trade ministry official with direct knowledge of the matter, but noting that the finance ministry "has many other considerations".
He asked not to be identified as discussions between the government departments were private.
Lower costs would help the viability of India's large gold and diamond jewellery processing industry and help exports, the trade ministry official said.
The finance and commerce ministries did not reply to emails seeking further information on any discussions over the import taxes.
In mid-2022, the world's second-biggest gold consumer raised the import duty on gold to 15 per cent, a decision that industry officials say led to smuggling worth billions of dollars.
Jewellery exports were dragged down by the resulting higher costs and by falling demand in the United States and China, said GJEPC's chairman, Shah.
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