The Government of India on Wednesday declared import restrictions on plain silver jewelry, effective until March 31 next year, as per an official notification.
According to the notification issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), plain silver jewelry has been classified as a restricted item, requiring importers to obtain a valid authorization from the DGFT to import such consignments.
“The move, announced through Notification No 34/2025-26 dated September 24, 2025, aims to curb the misuse of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and address large-scale imports of silver in the guise of finished jewelry,” the Commerce Ministry said in an official statement.
A senior government official stated that the decision follows a sharp increase in imports of plain silver jewelry from certain countries, including Thailand, during the April to June 2025 period.
The official noted that a significant portion of these imports was being brought into India disguised as finished goods, driving down local prices and posing a risk to jobs in the labor-intensive silver jewelry industry.
Imports of these items from Thailand saw a tenfold jump from four tons to forty tons between April and June. The proportion of imports from the Southeast Asian nation also rose significantly, from 78% to 98%, sparking concerns about possible misuse. The newly imposed restriction aims to protect domestic manufacturers from being undercut by cheaper imports and to ensure that local producers benefit from the upcoming seasonal demand.
According to the official, the government believes the move will help create fair competition for Indian jewelry producers, protect the interests of small and medium enterprises, and preserve employment opportunities for workers in the industry.
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