# Kerala jewellers urge Centre to review gold import duty hike 2026-08-08T03:24:46+00:00 | Business & Economy | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Kerala jewellers have urged the Centre to review the steep import duty on gold and silver, warning that the 15% levy has fuelled smuggling and crippled legitimate trade. The Kerala Gold and Silver Merchants Association said government data shows a sharp rise in gold and silver smuggling since the duty hike from 6% to 15% on May 13, 2026. Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary told Parliament that customs collected Rs 10,463 crore from gold, silver and platinum imports between May 13 and August 2, 2026, and that 161 kg of smuggled gold was seized with 116 arrests between May 13 and June 30. The government raised duties to curb foreign exchange outflows amid the West Asia war and Strait of Hormuz blockade, which have pushed up crude, food and fertiliser import costs. India is the world’s second biggest gold consumer after China. ## Coverage - thehindubusinessline.com - thehindubusinessline.com Tags: gold, import duty, jewellery trade, Kerala, silver, smuggling Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/kerala-jewellers-seek-review-of-gold-silver-import-duty-structure/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/kerala-jewellers-seek-review-of-gold-silver-import-duty-structure/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.