RBI restricts gold imports by nominated agencies, trading houses

In a move aimed at curbing gold imports, The Reserve Bank of India decided to extend the restriction on the import of gold on consignment basis from banks to all nominated agencies, premier, star trading houses who have been permitted by Government of India to import gold.

Accordingly, any import of gold on consignment basis by both nominated agencies and banks shall now be permissible only to meet the needs of exporters of gold jewellery.

It has further been decided that all Letters of Credit (LC) to be opened by Nominated Banks / Agencies for import of gold under all categories will be only on 100 per cent cash margin basis. Further, all imports of gold will necessarily have to be on Documents against Payment (DP) basis. Accordingly, gold imports on Documents against Acceptance (DA) basis will not be permitted. These restrictions will however not apply to import of gold to meet the needs of exporters of gold jewellery.

"The above instructions will come into force with immediate effect. ADs may bring the contents of this circular to the notice of their constituents and customers concerned. They are also advised to strictly ensure that foreign exchange transactions effected by / for their constituents are compliant with these instructions in letter and spirit.
All other instructions relating to import of gold issued from time to time shall remain unchanged," the RBI has said in a release.

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