The Directorate General of Foreign Trade has issued Notification No. 58/2025-26 dated 5 February 2026, revising India’s import policy for certain platinum articles. The change applies to ITC (HS) Code 71141920, classified under Chapter 71 of the ITC (HS) 2022, Schedule I (Import Policy).
With this notification, imports that were earlier permitted freely are now subject to regulatory controls. The amendment has been made effective immediately.
Legal Authority
The notification has been issued under:
- Sections 3 and 5 of the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992
- Paragraphs 1.02 and 2.01 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023
The scope of the amendment is limited specifically to articles of platinum classified under HS Code 71141920.
Revised Import Policy for HS Code 71141920
Earlier Import Policy
- Status: Free
- No policy condition applied
Revised Import Policy
- Status: Restricted
- Subject to Policy Condition No. 6 of Chapter 71
This marks a clear and substantive change in the import treatment of platinum articles.
Policy Condition No. 6 Explained
A new policy condition has been introduced to Chapter 71 to regulate the import of platinum articles.
General Rule
- Import of platinum articles is Restricted
This means fresh imports generally require authorization and are no longer automatically permitted.
Permitted Free Re-imports
Imports will continue to be treated as Free only where they involve re-import of Indian-origin platinum articles in the following situations:
- Goods earlier exported for exhibitions or export promotion tours
- Goods exported and later rejected, returned, or remaining unsold abroad
- Goods exported for repair and re-imported after repair
These are limited exceptions and do not apply to fresh imports from overseas suppliers.
Immediate Applicability and Compliance Considerations
The revised import policy applies with immediate effect from 5 February 2026. There is no transition or grace period. Businesses dealing in platinum articles should therefore:
- Reassess ongoing and proposed imports under HS Code 71141920
- Verify whether shipments qualify as permitted re-imports
- Maintain clear documentation establishing Indian origin and the purpose of re-import
- Evaluate authorization or licensing requirements for restricted imports
Non-compliance may result in clearance delays or regulatory action.
Impact on Trade and Industry
Platinum is widely used in jewellery and other high-value applications. By shifting its import classification to Restricted, the government has introduced closer oversight over its inflows. For importers and traders, this could affect:
- Procurement planning
- Lead times and compliance processes
- Cost and administrative requirements for imports
Exporters making temporary shipments for display, promotion, or repair must ensure proper documentation to avoid issues at the time of re-import.
Key Takeaways
- Import of platinum articles under HS Code 71141920 is now Restricted
- Policy Condition No. 6 has been added to Chapter 71
- Only specified re-imports of Indian-origin goods remain freely importable
- The amendment is effective immediately from 5 February 2026
Regulatory Shift Lacks Operational Clarity
While the amendment is legally precise, it stops short of providing operational clarity for affected importers. The notification declares platinum article imports under HS Code 71141920 as “Restricted,” yet it does not explain the process, timeline, or criteria for obtaining import authorization. In the absence of procedural guidance or a reference to an existing licensing framework, importers may face uncertainty at the clearance stage, particularly in the early phase of implementation. Further, by allowing only narrowly defined re-import exceptions, the policy could unintentionally burden manufacturers and traders dependent on legitimate overseas sourcing, without clearly articulating the trade or policy rationale behind the restriction. Issuance of a follow-up public notice or DGFT clarification would help reduce interpretational risk and ensure uniform enforcement.
Conclusion
The DGFT’s amendment brings a decisive change to how platinum articles are imported into India. While narrow re-import exceptions remain, the broader restriction requires businesses to revisit their compliance approach without delay.
Careful planning, documentation, and policy awareness will be essential for traders and manufacturers dealing in platinum articles going forward.
DGFT Notification No. 58/2025-26 dated 05/02/2026: Import of Platinum Articles Under HS Code 71141920 Restricted