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Gold Import Rules: AA/DFIA Clarifications & 20:80 Scheme Update

Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2013-14/493 · issued 14 Feb 2014 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI clarifies that AA/DFIA imports are outside the 20:80 scheme and don't entitle further imports. For third lots, import is capped at 5x exports or first/second lot quantity. Gold Dore refiners get 15% of licence for first two months.
The rule, in the simplest words
How it plays out — a real example

A forex & trade-finance officer in Mumbai is processing a third lot import request from a nominated agency. She checks the export proofs submitted—worth 100 kg—and sees the first lot was 30 kg. She calculates the allowed import as the lower of 5×100 kg (500 kg) or 30 kg, so she approves only 30 kg, ensuring the rule is followed and no over-entitlement occurs.

What changed

RBI issued clarifications on gold import rules for AA/DFIA holders, stating that imports under these schemes are separate from the 20:80 scheme and don't count toward further import entitlements. For third and subsequent lots, import quantity is limited to the lower of five times the export proof submitted or the quantity permitted in the first or second lot. Gold Dore refiners can now import 15% of their licence quantity for each of the first two months.

What it means for you

Banks and nominated agencies must segregate AA/DFIA imports from the 20:80 scheme and track them separately to avoid over-entitlement. The new third-lot cap tightens import limits, requiring proof of exports before further imports. Gold Dore refiners get a clear monthly quota, easing planning but requiring strict compliance with DGFT licence quantities.

What you must do

Who it affects

Scheduled commercial banks that are Authorised Dealers, Nominated banks and agencies for gold import, Gold Dore refiners, Entities holding AA/DFIA licenses, Exporters under Replenishment Scheme

❓ Common questions

Are AA/DFIA imports subject to the 20:80 scheme?

No, imports under AA/DFIA are outside the 20:80 scheme. They must be accounted for separately and do not entitle the nominated agency to any further imports.

How is the third lot of gold import calculated under the 20:80 scheme?

The third lot import quantity is the lesser of five times the export proof submitted or the quantity of gold permitted in the first or second lot.

What is the import limit for Gold Dore refiners in the first two months?

Refiners can import Gold Dore up to 15% of their licence quantity for each of the first two months, as per the clarification.

📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2013-14/493 A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No.103 February 14, 2014 To All Scheduled Commercial Banks which are Authorised Dealers (ADs) in Foreign Exchange/ All Agencies nominated for import of gold Madam / Sir, Import of Gold / Gold Dore by Nominated Banks /Agencies/Entities - Clarifications Attention of Authorised Persons is drawn to the Reserve Bank's A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 25 dated August 14, 2013 ; and A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 73 dated November 11, 2013 on the captioned subject. 2. Government of India and the Reserve Bank of India have been receiving representations related to Advance Authorisation (AA) / Duty Free Import Authorisation (DFIA). Taking into account these representations and in consultation with the Government of India, it has been decided to issue the following clarifications which come into force with immediate effect: a) In case of AA / DFIA issued before August 14, 2013, the condition of sequencing imports prior to exports shall not be insisted upon even in case of entities / units in the SEZ and EoUs, Premier and Star Trading Houses. b) The imports made as part of the AA/DFIA scheme will be outside the purview of the 20:80 scheme. Such Imports will be accounted for separately and will not entitle the Nominated Agency/ Banks/Entities for any further import. c) The Nominated Banks / Agencies / Entities may make available gold to the exporters (other than AA/DFIA holders) operating under the Replenishment Scheme. They can resort to import of gold for the purpose, if considered necessary. However, such import will be accounted for separately and will not entitle them for any further import. d) Import of gold in the third lot onwards will be lesser of the two: Five times the export for which proof has been submitted; or Quantity of gold permitted to a Nominated Agency in the first or second lot. A revised working example of the operations of 20:80 scheme envisaged in terms of the revised instructions is given in the Annex . 3. Further with reference to A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 82 dated December 31, 2013 on import of Gold Dore, it is clarified that: i) The refiners are allowed to import Gold Dore of 15% of their licence for each of the first two months. ii) In case, the quantity has already been identified by DGFT for first two lots, import of such quantity will be in compliance with the guidelines issued vide A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 82 dated December 31, 2013. iii) DGFT, through a notification, may include new refiners, and fix licence quantity for them. 4. Authorised Dealers may bring the contents of this circular to the notice of their constituents and customers concerned. 5. The directions contained in this circular have been issued under Section 10(4) and Section 11(1) of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999 (42 of 1999), and are without prejudice to permissions / approvals, if any, required under any other law. Yours faithfully, (Rudra Narayan Kar) Chief General Manager-in-Charge Annex Revised working example of the operations of 20/80 scheme for import of gold * 1. A Nominated Bank / Agency / any other entity ABC imports say 100 kg of gold, which shall be routed through custom bonded warehouses only. If considered necessary, the lot can be procured through two invoices – one for exporters (i.e. 20%) and the other one for domestic users (80%). 2. Out of the above import of 100 kg, 20 kg. gold held in the bonded warehouse can be got released, in part or full, to be made available to the exporters of gold against an undertaking to Customs Authorities as is the practice now. 3. The balance 80 kg can be supplied in part or full to domestic entities engaged in jewellery business / bullion traders / banks operating the Gold Deposit Scheme against full upfront payment. In other words, no credit sale of gold in any form will be permitted for domestic use. In case, the Nominated Bank itself is operating the Gold Deposit Scheme, the bank is permitted to use out of 80 kg, a portion for regularising own open position in gold arising out of operations of the Gold Deposit Scheme. 4. Next lot of import of 100 kg of gold by ABC shall be permitted by the Customs Authorities only after the proof of export (i.e. 20% of the imported lot) is submitted. 5. Import of gold in the third lot onwards will be lesser of the two: i) Five times the export for which proof has been submitted; or ii) Quantity of gold permitted to a Nominated Agency in the first or second lot. Note: The same procedure is to be followed by the refineries and by any other entity importing gold in any other form/purity and in the case of import of Gold Dore also. * First lot of gold import will be counted with effect from 14.08.2013.
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2013-14/493 · issued 14 Feb 2014. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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Who does what — compliance checklist
💻 IT / Systems
  • Update internal systems to track export proofs and lot entitlements accurately.
📜 Compliance
  • Segregate AA/DFIA imports from 20:80 scheme accounts and ensure they don't entitle further imports.
  • For third and subsequent gold lots, calculate import quantity as the lower of 5x export proof or first/second lot quantity.
  • For Gold Dore, limit first two months' imports to 15% of licence quantity and coordinate with DGFT for new refiners.
  • Inform constituents and customers about these clarifications immediately.
Grouped from the action items above — a single circular may involve more than one team.
Worked example & action-note template

Example: if you are a Compliance officer at a bank this circular applies to (Scheduled commercial banks that are Authorised Dealers, Nominated banks and agencies for gold import, Gold Dore refiners, Entities holding AA/DFIA licenses, Exporters under Replenishment Scheme), your first concrete step on “Gold Import Rules: AA/DFIA Clarifications & 20:80 Scheme Update” is: “Segregate AA/DFIA imports from 20:80 scheme accounts and ensure they don't entitle further imports.” (RBI issued this 14 Feb 2014).

  1. Circular: RBI/2013-14/493 -- Gold Import Rules: AA/DFIA Clarifications & 20:80 Scheme Update
  2. Issued: 14 Feb 2014
  3. Action required: Segregate AA/DFIA imports from 20:80 scheme accounts and ensure they don't entitle further imports.
  4. Action required: For third and subsequent gold lots, calculate import quantity as the lower of 5x export proof or first/second lot quantity.
  5. Action required: For Gold Dore, limit first two months' imports to 15% of licence quantity and coordinate with DGFT for new refiners.
  6. Action required: Update internal systems to track export proofs and lot entitlements accurately.
  7. Action required: Inform constituents and customers about these clarifications immediately.
  8. Owner: ____________ Target date: ____________
  9. Board/committee approval needed? Y / N
  10. Evidence filed in compliance register on: ____________
Built only from this circular’s own published fields — not legal advice; always confirm against the official RBI source.

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Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=8745&Mode=0 — Plain-English summary by BankPulse (bankpulse.ai), reviewed by our expert reviewer, CA Amit Jain. Independent platform, not affiliated with the Reserve Bank of India; is our own plain-English paraphrase, not RBI’s original wording.
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