Imports & ExportsStart exporting

Jewellery

Export gold jewellery

Plain and studded gold jewellery; the UAE buys about half, followed by the USA.

Free, with conditionsHS 7113.19
HS code
7113.19
Articles of jewellery and parts of precious metal other than silver — mainly gold, plain or studded (HS 7113 19).
Export policy
Free, with conditions
Export of gold jewellery and articles is allowed only for gold of 8 carat up to 22 carat (rule set by DGFT Notification 21/2015-20 of August 2017). Confirm the current wording in ITC(HS) Schedule 2 and Chapter 4 of the Foreign Trade Policy on DGFT.
Registrations
4
IEC, GST and those below
India’s exports, 2025-26
US$ 11.6 bn
to 100 countries

What is exported

India makes plain 22-carat jewellery for the Gulf and diaspora markets and 14–18-carat studded jewellery for the USA and Europe, in Mumbai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Jaipur and South India. In 2025-26 India exported about US$ 11.6 billion under HS 7113 19; the UAE took about half, followed by the USA, Singapore, Hong Kong and the UK (Commerce Department data).

Varieties, grades and forms

  • Plain gold jewellery (22 ct, 18 ct, 14 ct)Chains, bangles and rings; 22 ct sells to the Gulf and the Indian diaspora, 14–18 ct to the USA and Europe.
  • Diamond-studded jewelleryGold settings with natural or lab-grown diamonds; the stone type must be declared.
  • Gem-set and Kundan-polki jewelleryColoured gemstones, Kundan and Jadau work from Jaipur and Bikaner.
  • Machine-made chains and light jewelleryLightweight hollow and machine-made pieces for price-sensitive markets.
  • Temple and traditional jewellerySouth Indian temple jewellery and Bengal (Kolkatti) designs for diaspora markets.

Where it is grown or made

  • MaharashtraMumbai — SEEPZ SEZ, Zaveri Bazaar and the India Jewellery Park
  • GujaratAhmedabad, Rajkot and Surat
  • West BengalKolkata (Bowbazar) and the Manikanchan SEZ
  • Tamil Nadu and KeralaChennai, Coimbatore, Nagercoil and Thrissur
  • Rajasthan and DelhiJaipur (Sitapura SEZ), Bikaner and Delhi (Karol Bagh)

Export packing

  • Each piece in a sealed polybag or jewellery box with a tag showing style number, gross and net weight and purity; boxes packed in a sealed, tamper-evident parcel.
  • Shipped by air through insured valuable-cargo handlers; customs verify weight and purity at the airport or SEZ.
  • The invoice shows the gold content (net weight × purity) for every item, because drawback and replenishment are worked out on it.

Who buys abroad

  • Jewellery wholesalers and retailers in the UAE and the Gulf
  • US and UK jewellery chains and TV or online sellers
  • Diaspora jewellers in Singapore, Malaysia, the UK and the USA
  • Importers who supply department stores

The quality buyers ask for

Purity (caratage)
22 ct (916), 18 ct (750) and 14 ct (585) are standard; the FTP allows export of gold jewellery from 8 ct up to 22 ct
Weight
Gross and net gold weight per piece, to 0.01 g
Purity marking
The karat marked must match the assay; the US FTC Guides (16 CFR Part 23) treat over-marking as deceptive
Nickel release
EU REACH limits nickel release from items in contact with skin, which matters for white-gold alloys
Stones
Natural, lab-grown, treated or imitation stones declared on the invoice and tag

Certificates

  • Hallmark or assay certificateRequiredBuyers ask for purity proof. BIS hallmarking applies to jewellery sold in India; check on bis.gov.in how it applies to export orders. The UK requires a UK or Convention hallmark on gold articles above 1 g before sale.
  • Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC)Often askedLarge US and UK retailers ask for it.
  • Kimberley Process / System of WarrantiesRequiredFor diamond-studded pieces, the diamond supply chain must be conflict-free.
  • Social and supply-chain auditOften askedRetail buyers audit labour practices in workshops.

Shipping, storage and shelf life

Container load

Sealed, tamper-evident parcels; no containers.

How it travels

Air, through insured valuable-cargo handlers, from Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad or Jaipur; SEZ units clear at the zone.

Storage

Vaults with insurance cover.

What goes on the pack and carton

  • Purity mark (for example 22K, 916, 18K or 750) and the maker's or importer's mark, as the destination requires.
  • USA: a quality mark must be accompanied by a registered trademark of the person responsible (National Gold and Silver Stamping Act).
  • Tag with style number, gross and net weight, and stone details; invoice shows gold content for every item.
Where to get it tested

BIS-recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centres test gold purity across India (list on bis.gov.in). For studded pieces, diamond and gemstone reports come from GJEPC's gem-testing labs or international labs such as GIA, IGI and HRD with offices in Mumbai.

Benefits of exporting this product

Where to register

  • GJEPC (Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council)RCMC for gold jewellery; needed for most gem and jewellery benefits.gjepc.org ↗
  • BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards)Hallmarking and Assaying and Hallmarking Centres for purity testing; check how the hallmarking order applies to export orders.bis.gov.in ↗

Quality and checks

  • Purity must match the mark; customs and buyers assay samples.
  • UK: gold articles above 1 g must be hallmarked by a UK Assay Office (or carry a Convention mark) before sale.
  • USA: karat marks must be accurate and backed by a registered trademark; diamond and stone types must be disclosed (FTC Guides).
  • Studded pieces need conflict-free diamond declarations.
How to start small

Start with a focused range for one market — for example light 22-carat chains and bangles for Gulf wholesalers. Join GJEPC, decide whether you will use duty-paid gold (and claim drawback) or duty-free gold through a nominated agency, and exhibit at IIJS.

Where new exporters go wrong

  • Trying to export 24-carat articles, which the policy does not allow.
  • Purity below the marked carat — goods seized or rejected.
  • Missing value-addition norms on duty-free gold.

Documents this product needs

Schemes that apply

Sources (7)
  1. Department of Commerce, Export Import Data Bank — India's exports of HS 7113 19 by country, 2025-26
  2. DGFT — Appendix 2T: Export Promotion Councils and the products under each
  3. DGFT — ITC(HS) export policy search (Schedule 2)
  4. GJEPC (Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council) — official site
  5. Bureau of Indian Standards — hallmarking
  6. UK Government — British Hallmarking Council (Hallmarking Act 1973: hallmarking of gold, silver and platinum articles)
  7. eCFR — 16 CFR Part 23, FTC Guides for the jewelry, precious metals and pewter industries

Trade data

Indian gold jewellery exports in numbers

From the Department of Commerce’s TradeStat, country by country. US$, Indian financial years (April–March).

Exports in 2025-26
US$ 11.6 bn
+19.2% a year on average, 2020-21 to 2025-26
Change from 2024-25
↑ +0.5%
US$ 11.6 bn → US$ 11.6 bn
Buyer countries
100
Average export price
US$ 117423.56
per kg · 99 tonnes shipped · US$ 88027.67 the year before
United Arab Emirates: US$ 5.67 bnUnited States of America: US$ 2.47 bnSingapore: US$ 495 mnHong Kong: US$ 429 mnUnited Kingdom: US$ 412 mnAustralia: US$ 246 mnFrance: US$ 245 mnSaudi Arabia: US$ 228 mnKuwait: US$ 195 mnBahrain: US$ 191 mnMalaysia: US$ 184 mnCanada: US$ 142 mnItaly: US$ 112 mnQatar: US$ 78.7 mnThailand: US$ 77.1 mnBelgium: US$ 76.7 mnGermany: US$ 73.2 mnSpain: US$ 30.2 mnIsrael: US$ 26.7 mnJapan: US$ 23.6 mnNetherlands: US$ 22 mnSweden: US$ 21.8 mnSwitzerland: US$ 17.8 mnNew Zealand: US$ 17.5 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 5.67 bnUnited Arab EmiratesUnited States of America: US$ 2.47 bnUnited States of AmericaSingapore: US$ 495 mnSingaporeHong Kong: US$ 429 mnHong KongUnited Kingdom: US$ 412 mnUnited KingdomAustralia: US$ 246 mnAustraliaFrance: US$ 245 mnSaudi Arabia: US$ 228 mnKuwait: US$ 195 mnBahrain: US$ 191 mnMalaysia: US$ 184 mnCanada: US$ 142 mnItaly: US$ 112 mnQatar: US$ 78.7 mnThailand: US$ 77.1 mnBelgium: US$ 76.7 mnGermany: US$ 73.2 mnSpain: US$ 30.2 mnIsrael: US$ 26.7 mnJapan: US$ 23.6 mnNetherlands: US$ 22 mnSweden: US$ 21.8 mnSwitzerland: US$ 17.8 mnNew Zealand: US$ 17.5 mnIndia
Where Indian gold jewellery goes — among our 80 countries, 2025-26
2020-21: US$ 4.83 bn4.8k2020-212021-22: US$ 8.75 bn8.8k2021-222022-23: US$ 9.34 bn9.3k2022-232023-24: US$ 11.6 bn12k2023-242024-25: US$ 11.6 bn12k2024-252025-26: US$ 11.6 bn12k2025-26
India’s gold jewellery exports, year by year · US$ million

The price cycle

India’s average export price per kg each year (total value ÷ total quantity). Highest in 2025-26, lowest in 2020-21 — a 76% swing between them. Keep this swing in mind when you quote.

2020-21: US$ 66572.84 per kg66572.842021-22: US$ 66851.76 per kg2022-23: US$ 69621.36 per kg2024-25: US$ 88027.67 per kg2025-26: US$ 117423.56 per kg117423.562020-212021-222022-232023-242024-252025-26
Average export price of Indian gold jewellery · US$ per kg · dotted = year in between not available

What next: a projection from the trend

The past trend carried forward — not a forecast by any authority. Sudden changes in policy, prices or demand are not in it.

2020-21: US$ 4.83 bn2020-212021-22: US$ 8.75 bn2021-222022-23: US$ 9.34 bn2022-232023-24: US$ 11.6 bn2023-242024-25: US$ 11.6 bn2024-252025-26: US$ 11.6 bn2025-262026-27: US$ 15.9 bn (US$ 12.2 bn – US$ 20.8 bn)16k2026-272027-28: US$ 18.6 bn (US$ 13.8 bn – US$ 25.1 bn)19k2027-28
India’s gold jewellery exports and projection · hollow bars = projection, line = likely range
By 2027-28: US$ 18.6 bn

Likely range US$ 13.8 bn to US$ 25.1 bn.

Trend
+16.9% a year
Fit (R²)
0.73
Based on
6 years of official figures

Method: a straight line through the logarithm of yearly exports (log-linear regression); range = ±1 standard error.

Biggest buyer countries

By value in 2025-26. Change is against 2024-25.

Name2025-26Change
1United Arab EmiratesUS$ 5.67 bn+3.6%
2United States of AmericaUS$ 2.47 bn-23.1%
3SingaporeUS$ 495 mn+2%
4Hong KongUS$ 429 mn-8.3%
5United KingdomUS$ 412 mn+24%
6AustraliaUS$ 246 mn+28.2%
7FranceUS$ 245 mn+29.9%
8Saudi ArabiaUS$ 228 mn+70.8%
9KuwaitUS$ 195 mn+96.7%
10BahrainUS$ 191 mn+122.7%
11MalaysiaUS$ 184 mn+3.6%
12CanadaUS$ 142 mn+3.4%

Where demand is rising and falling

Only countries that buy at least US$ 1 million or 1% of India’s exports of this product. Change from 2024-25 to 2025-26.

High demand

  1. BahrainUS$ 85.9 mn → US$ 191 mn+122.7%
  2. KuwaitUS$ 99.2 mn → US$ 195 mn+96.7%
  3. Saudi ArabiaUS$ 133 mn → US$ 228 mn+70.8%
  4. FranceUS$ 189 mn → US$ 245 mn+29.9%
  5. AustraliaUS$ 192 mn → US$ 246 mn+28.2%
  6. United KingdomUS$ 332 mn → US$ 412 mn+24%

Low demand

  1. United States of AmericaUS$ 3.21 bn → US$ 2.47 bn-23.1%

Which forms sell, and at what price

India’s exports by 8-digit tariff line, 2025-26. Average price = total value ÷ total quantity (TradeStat): the average of every shipment on that line, not the price of any one deal.

Tariff lineValue 2025-26ChangeQuantityAverage price
Jewellery, of precious metal whether or not plated or clad with precious metal, and parts thereof — of gold, unstudded7113 19 11US$ 4.7 bn-5.8%44 tonnesUS$ 106374.04 per kgwas US$ 77006.78
Of gold, studded with diamonds of heading 71027113 19 13 · Jewellery, of precious metal whether or not plated or clad with precious metal, and parts thereofUS$ 3.26 bn-1.2%21 tonnesUS$ 152141.72 per kgwas US$ 114913.06
Of gold, studded with diamonds of heading 71047113 19 14 · Jewellery, of precious metal whether or not plated or clad with precious metal, and parts thereofUS$ 1.44 bn+31.4%12 tonnesUS$ 115455.20 per kgwas US$ 97175.71
Others-of-articles of other prcs metal whether or not pltd or clad7113 19 19 · Jewellery, of precious metal whether or not plated or clad with precious metal, and parts thereofUS$ 967 mn+2.8%7.5 tonnesUS$ 128252.85 per kgwas US$ 101162.29
Of gold, studded with other precious and semi-precious stones7113 19 15 · Jewellery, of precious metal whether or not plated or clad with precious metal, and parts thereofUS$ 875 mn-7.1%8.0 tonnesUS$ 109605.46 per kgwas US$ 76458.60
Of platinum, studded with diamonds of heading 71027113 19 23 · Jewellery, of precious metal whether or not plated or clad with precious metal, and parts thereofUS$ 143 mn+7.5%0.8 tonnesUS$ 174075.43 per kgwas US$ 144527.69
Articles of other prcs metal7113 19 90 · Jewellery, of precious metal whether or not plated or clad with precious metal, and parts thereofUS$ 105 mn+15.2%3.0 tonnesUS$ 34492.61 per kgwas US$ 31115.66
Of platinum, studded with diamonds of heading 71047113 19 24 · Jewellery, of precious metal whether or not plated or clad with precious metal, and parts thereofUS$ 64.1 mn+102.3%0.6 tonnesUS$ 101584.79 per kgwas US$ 90284.90
Jewellery, of precious metal whether or not plated or clad with precious metal, and parts thereof — of platinum, unstudded7113 19 21US$ 21.9 mn+47.1%0.4 tonnesUS$ 56813.47 per kgwas US$ 41882.02
Others-of-articles of other prcs metal whether or not pltd or clad7113 19 29 · Jewellery, of precious metal whether or not plated or clad with precious metal, and parts thereofUS$ 17.1 mn+5.6%0.2 tonnesUS$ 110714.29 per kgwas US$ 98475.61
Jewellery, of precious metal whether or not plated or clad with precious metal, and parts thereof — parts7113 19 60US$ 15.1 mn+6.6%0.2 tonnesUS$ 86781.61 per kgwas US$ 61834.06
Of platinum, studded with pearls7113 19 22 · Jewellery, of precious metal whether or not plated or clad with precious metal, and parts thereofUS$ 15.1 mn—0.1 tonnesUS$ 120480.00 per kg
Of gold, studded with pearls7113 19 12 · Jewellery, of precious metal whether or not plated or clad with precious metal, and parts thereofUS$ 10.8 mn+1.2%0.1 tonnesUS$ 82769.23 per kgwas US$ 59055.56
Of platinum, studded with other precious and semi-precious stones7113 19 25 · Jewellery, of precious metal whether or not plated or clad with precious metal, and parts thereofUS$ 2.1 mn+13.6%0.0 tonnesUS$ 83600.00 per kgwas US$ 61333.33

The world market

Each country’s own recorded exports and imports in UN Comtrade, 2023 (the latest year nearly every country has reported).

World imports
US$ 105.8 bn
2023
India among exporters
#6
of 131 countries
India’s share of world exports
8.2%
US$ 11 bn
Left for others to win
US$ 123.9 bn
exported by other countries

Top exporters — your competitors

  1. 1United Arab EmiratesUS$ 14.5 bn 10.8%
  2. 2SwitzerlandUS$ 13.8 bn 10.2%
  3. 3ChinaUS$ 13.6 bn 10.1%
  4. 4FranceUS$ 13.5 bn 10%
  5. 5USAUS$ 11.4 bn 8.5%
  6. 6IndiaUS$ 11 bn 8.2%
  7. 7China, Hong Kong SARUS$ 10.5 bn 7.7%
  8. 8ItalyUS$ 10 bn 7.4%
  9. 9TürkiyeUS$ 8.24 bn 6.1%
  10. 10IndonesiaUS$ 5.42 bn 4%

Biggest buyers in the world

  1. 1China, Hong Kong SARUS$ 19.4 bn 18.4%
  2. 2United Arab EmiratesUS$ 16.4 bn 15.5%
  3. 3USAUS$ 11.1 bn 10.5%
  4. 4SwitzerlandUS$ 9.29 bn 8.8%
  5. 5FranceUS$ 8.51 bn 8%
  6. 6ChinaUS$ 5.13 bn 4.8%
  7. 7SingaporeUS$ 4.89 bn 4.6%
  8. 8JapanUS$ 2.72 bn 2.6%
  9. 9TürkiyeUS$ 2.3 bn 2.2%
  10. 10China, Macao SARUS$ 2.14 bn 2%

Opportunity: what these countries buy from the world, and from India

Each country’s own recorded imports in UN Comtrade, latest year it has reported. The long light part of each bar is demand other countries are filling today.

United Arab EmiratesUS$ 16.4 bnIndia 33.1% · gap US$ 11 bn
United States of AmericaUS$ 12.8 bnIndia 24.6% · gap US$ 9.64 bn
FranceUS$ 8.27 bnIndia 3.3% · gap US$ 8 bn
SingaporeUS$ 4.49 bnIndia 14% · gap US$ 3.86 bn
ChinaUS$ 3.58 bnIndia 0.4% · gap US$ 3.57 bn
JapanUS$ 3.09 bnIndia 1.3% · gap US$ 3.05 bn
United KingdomUS$ 2.11 bnIndia 15.8% · gap US$ 1.77 bn
ItalyUS$ 1.64 bnIndia 3.5% · gap US$ 1.58 bn
Saudi ArabiaUS$ 1.7 bnIndia 21.8% · gap US$ 1.33 bn
GermanyUS$ 1.3 bnIndia 5.3% · gap US$ 1.23 bn

TradeStat’s 2023-24 quantities are double-counted, so that year is left out of the price. Sources: TradeStat — Export Import Data Bank, Department of Commerce · UN Comtrade database (United Nations Statistics Division) · Figures taken 29 October 2026.

Step by step

How to export gold jewellery

India is one of the largest makers of gold jewellery in the world, with a deep base of skilled craftsmen and export units in Mumbai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Jaipur and South India. The UAE is by far the largest buyer, followed by the USA, and the Gulf and diaspora markets like 22-carat designs. Italy, Turkey, China and Hong Kong compete in machine-made and fashion gold jewellery. Gold price swings and US tariff changes affect demand. Openings are in studded and lightweight jewellery for the USA, plain 22-carat jewellery for the Gulf, and the UK under the India-UK CETA.

  1. 01Join GJEPC

    Take the GJEPC RCMC; most gem and jewellery benefits need it.

  2. 02Decide how you will get gold

    Buy duty-paid gold and claim drawback, or get gold duty-free through nominated agencies, Advance Authorisation or an SEZ unit — not both.

  3. 03Design for the market

    22 ct traditional designs for the Gulf and diaspora; 14–18 ct studded and light pieces for the USA and Europe.

  4. 04Make, assay and mark

    Manufacture, assay the purity and apply the marks the destination requires.

  5. 05Export through customs

    Customs verify weight and purity; file the shipping bill with gold content details.

  6. 06Meet value-addition rules

    If gold came duty-free, export proceeds must meet the value-addition norm in the Foreign Trade Policy (Chapter 4).

  7. 07Get paid safely

    Use an LC or documents against payment with new buyers, take ECGC cover for open-account sales, and close the export with an e-BRC once the money arrives.

Meet buyers

Trade fairs

Questions

Questions about exporting gold jewellery

Can I export 24-carat gold jewellery?
No. Since 2017 (DGFT Notification 21/2015-20) export has been allowed only for gold jewellery and articles from 8 ct up to 22 ct. Confirm the current wording on DGFT before you take an order.
How does drawback work on gold jewellery?
It is a rupee amount per gram of net gold content, revised often. It applies only if you used duty-paid gold.
Who are the nominated agencies?
Agencies and banks notified by DGFT and RBI to import gold and supply it to exporters. Check the current list on DGFT.
Is the UAE duty-free for Indian jewellery?
India and the UAE have a trade agreement (CEPA) in force since May 2022. Whether your jewellery line gets a lower duty, and on what conditions, must be checked line by line in the CEPA schedule on the Commerce Ministry site; claim it with a CEPA certificate of origin.
What goes wrong most often?
Purity below the marked carat, wrong weight declarations, undisclosed lab-grown stones and missing destination hallmarks.
Sources (7)
  1. GJEPC (Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council) — official site
  2. DGFT — ITC(HS) export policy search (Schedule 2)
  3. Bureau of Indian Standards — hallmarking
  4. UK Government — British Hallmarking Council (Hallmarking Act 1973: hallmarking of gold, silver and platinum articles)
  5. eCFR — 16 CFR Part 23, FTC Guides for the jewelry, precious metals and pewter industries
  6. CBIC — Duty drawback (current schedule and amendments)
  7. Department of Commerce, Export Import Data Bank — India's exports of HS 7113 19 by country, 2025-26

Who buys Indian gold jewellery

All countries →

More in jewellery

All products →