Govt lowers tariff value on imported gold, silver

The government has reduced import tariff value of gold and silver to USD 392 per ten grams and USD 638 per kg, respectively. Import tariff value is the base price at which customs duty is determined to prevent under-invoicing. The tariff value on imported gold earlier stood at USD 398 per 10 grams, while on silver at USD 643 per kg. The notification in this regard has been issued by the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), an official release said today.

However the tariff value on imported brass scrap has been increased to USD 3,940 per tonne from USD 3,930 per tonne. The tariff value on imported poppy seeds has also been raised to USD 3,195 per tonne from USD 3,154 per tonne.

Gold in Singapore, which normally sets price trend on the domestic front, was trading at USD 1,224.11 an ounce and silver at USD 20 an ounce today. India, the world's largest consumer of gold, imported 393.68 tonnes of the precious metal during the April-September period of this year, as per official data. The government has taken several steps to reduce gold imports, including hike in custom duties.