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The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has clarified that the recent restrictions on the import of silver jewellery will not apply to export-linked entities such as Special Economic Zone (SEZ) units, 100 per cent Export-Oriented Units (EOUs), and those operating under specific authorisation schemes.

According to a policy circular issued on Monday, October 27, by the DGFT, the clarification follows several representations from the trade and jewellery industry after Notification No. 34/2025-26, dated September 24, 2025, which imposed restrictions on the import of silver jewellery under ITC (HS) codes 71131141 and 71131149. The clarification, detailed in Policy Circular No. 06/2025-26 and issued from Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi, has been approved by the Director General of Foreign Trade.

The DGFT said imports of silver jewellery by SEZs and EOUs will not be subject to the recently imposed restrictions, in line with Paragraph 6.01(d) of the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023 and Rule 27 of the SEZ Rules, 2006. However, it underlined that such imports cannot be sold in the Domestic Tariff Area (DTA).

Imports under the Advance Authorisation and Duty-Free Import Authorisation (DFIA) schemes will also remain exempt, according to Paragraph 4.18(iv) of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023.

The circular directed all customs authorities and regional offices of the DGFT to implement the clarified provisions strictly and in accordance with the Foreign Trade Policy. It also stated that any deviation from the prescribed norms would attract penal action under existing laws and regulations.

The DGFT said the clarification is being communicated to ensure uniform interpretation across customs formations and trade bodies.

Industry representatives had earlier sought clarity on whether SEZ-based exporters and those operating under export-linked authorisations would be affected by the import curbs. The DGFT’s clarification now provides much-needed assurance that export-linked imports remain outside the scope of the restriction order.

According to the circular, “Imports of silver jewellery by SEZ and EOU units shall not be subject to the aforesaid restrictions,” reaffirming that the government’s intent is to regulate only domestic trade in silver jewellery, not export-linked imports.

Ankit Kumar is a Senior Sub Editor at Zee Business. He covers international affairs, politics, climate change, business, finance and global elections. With experience acros