RBI allows Qualified Jewellers to import gold via IIBX
Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2022-2023/57 · issued 25 May 2022 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI now permits AD banks to process advance remittances up to 11 days for Qualified Jewellers importing gold through IIBX. This expands gold import channels beyond nominated agencies, easing access for jewellers via IFSCA-regulated exchanges.
The rule, in the simplest words
AD banks (Category‑I Authorised Dealer banks) can send money ahead of time (advance remittance) to a Qualified Jeweller (a jeweller approved by IFSCA) for up to 11 days to buy gold through IIBX (India International Bullion Exchange).
The jeweller must be listed by IFSCA and must import the gold using the correct customs codes on IIBX or another IFSCA‑approved exchange.
The bank must check all documents, make sure the money is only for the real gold purchase, and must not let the jeweller use the money to buy more gold than the amount sent.
If the gold is not bought or some money is left over, the unused amount must be sent back to the same bank within the 11‑day period, and the bank must keep the Bill of Entry (customs proof) for each transaction.
How it plays out — a real example
Anita, a senior authorised dealer officer at State Bank of India in Indore, receives a request from Rajesh, a Qualified Jeweller notified by IFSCA, to import 10 kg of gold through IIBX. She first verifies Rajesh’s IFSCA notification and the sale contract, then sends the advance payment that can stay valid for 11 days. When Rajesh provides the Bill of Entry as proof of import, Anita records it in the bank’s system; if the shipment is delayed and only part of the money is used, she promptly returns the remaining amount to the bank within the allowed time, ensuring everything complies with RBI’s new rule.
What changed
RBI has authorized AD banks to allow Qualified Jewellers (QJs) notified by IFSCA to import gold through IIBX or other IFSCA-approved exchanges. Advance payments for such imports are permitted for up to 11 days, subject to compliance with IFSCA regulations and DGFT policy. Unutilized advance amounts must be returned to the same AD bank within the 11-day period.
What it means for you
Banks can now facilitate gold imports for a new category of entities—Qualified Jewellers—through the India International Bullion Exchange, broadening the import ecosystem. AD banks must ensure strict due diligence, that advance remittances are not leveraged, and that import evidence (Bill of Entry) is submitted. This aligns with the government's push to streamline gold imports via IFSCA and IIBX.
What you must do
Update internal policies to allow advance remittance up to 11 days for QJs importing gold via IIBX or IFSCA-approved exchanges.
Verify that the QJ is notified by IFSCA and that the import is under specified ITC(HS) codes through IIBX.
Ensure all due diligence is performed and that remittances are only for bona fide import transactions through IFSCA-authorized exchanges.
Monitor that unutilized advance amounts are returned to your bank within 11 days if the import does not materialize.
Collect and verify Bill of Entry or equivalent customs document as proof of import for each transaction.
Who it affects
Category-I Authorised Dealer Banks, Qualified Jewellers notified by IFSCA, India International Bullion Exchange (IIBX) and other IFSCA-approved exchanges, Customs authorities handling gold imports
❓ Common questions
What is the maximum advance remittance period allowed for QJs importing gold through IIBX?
AD banks can allow advance remittance for up to 11 days for import of gold through IIBX, as per the terms of the sale contract or irrevocable purchase order under IFSCA regulations.
What happens if the gold import does not materialize after advance remittance?
The unutilized advance remittance must be remitted back to the same AD bank within the specified 11-day time limit.
Who conducts due diligence on the exchange and entities involved in these gold imports?
IFSC Authority (IFSCA) will conduct all required due diligence on IIBX and other entities involved in enabling gold imports by QJs, and ensure advance remittances are used solely for that purpose.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2022-2023/57
A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No.04
May 25, 2022
To
All Category-I Authorised Dealer Banks
Madam/Sir,
Guidelines on import of gold by Qualified Jewellers as notified by – The International Financial Services Centers Authority (IFSCA)
Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) formulate and implement the Foreign Trade Policy and Procedures in terms of Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992, (FTDR Act 1992, hereinafter) as amended from time to time. In exercise of powers conferred by Section 3 read with Section 5 of FTDR Act 1992, read with paragraph 1.02 and 2.01 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2015-2020, as amended from time to time, the Central Government has amended the import policy conditions for gold in any form, other than monetary gold and silver in any form under Chapter 71 of ITC (HS), 2017, Schedule-I (Import Policy) vide Notification No. 49/2015-2020 dated January 5, 2022.
2. Attention of Authorised Dealer Category - I (AD) bank is invited to (a) Notification No. 49/2015-2020 dated January 5, 2022, in terms of which, in addition to nominated agencies as notified by RBI (in case of banks) and nominated agencies as notified by DGFT, Qualified Jewellers (QJ) as notified by International Financial Services Centers Authority (IFSCA) will be permitted to import gold under specific ITC(HS) Codes through India International Bullion Exchange IFSC Ltd. (IIBX); (b) Master Direction – Import of Goods and Services and the AP Dir Series Circulars issued for import of Gold by Reserve Bank of India under FEMA, 1999; (c) regulations issued by the International Financial Services Centers Authority (IFSCA) under International Financial Services Centers Authority Act, 2019.
3. In order to enable resident Qualified Jewellers to import gold through IIBX or any other exchange approved by IFSCA and the DGFT, Government of India the following directions under FEMA are being issued.
AD banks may allow Qualified Jewellers to remit advance payments for eleven days for import of Gold through IIBX in compliance to the extant Foreign Trade Policy and regulations issued under IFSC Act. AD banks shall ensure that advance remittance for such import through exchange/s authorised by IFSCA shall be as per the terms of the sale contract or other document in the nature of an irrevocable purchase order in terms of IFSC Act and regulations made thereunder by IFSCA. AD bank shall carry out all the due diligence and ensure the remittances sent are only for the bona fide import transactions through exchange/s authorised by IFSCA.
The advance remittance for import of Gold should not be leveraged in what-so-ever form for importing Gold worth more than the advance remittance made.
In case the import of Gold through IFSCA authorised exchange, for which advance remittance has been made, does not materialize, or the advance remittance made for the purpose is more than the amount required, the unutilised advance remittance shall be remitted back to the same AD bank within the specified time limit of eleven days.
For gold imported through IIBX, QJ shall submit the Bill of Entry (or any other such applicable document issued/approved by Customs Department for evidence of import), issued by Customs Authorities to the AD bank from where advance payment has been remitted.
All payments by qualified jewellers for imports of gold through IIBX, shall be made through exchange mechanism as approved by IFSCA in terms of IFSC Act and regulations. Any deviation from the extant guidelines for import of Gold through IIBX need to be approved in advance by IFSCA and other applicable and appropriate authority/ies.
4. IFSC Authority (IFSCA) will conduct all required due diligence on the exchange - IIBX including all other entities involved in enabling import of Gold by QJs in terms of the IFSCA regulations. IFSCA shall also put in place necessary system to ensure that the advance remittance received from QJs are solely for the purpose for the import of gold through IIBX.
5. AD bank shall ensure that:
all required documentation, custom duty related procedures and filing Bill of Entry as evidence of import, etc. is complete for the import of Gold by QJ within the specified applicable period.
single/multiple ORMs created and matched with corresponding BoEs (Bill of Entry) and closed appropriately in IDPMS.
the importer - that is QJs comply with the related extant instructions relating to imports under FEMA, 1999, FTDR Act 1992, Foreign Trade Policy and regulations of IFSCA.
AD banks may frame their own internal guidelines to deal with such cases, with the approval of their Board of Directors.
6. Reporting requirement by AD banks:
AD bank shall create Outward Remittance Message (ORM) for all such outward remittances in IDPMS in terms of extant guidelines.
All these transactions need to be reported in FETERS in terms of extant guidelines.
AD bank shall report the import of gold through QJ in XBRL as prescribed in para C.11.1 of Master Direction – Import of Goods and Services .
7. The abovementioned arrangement is for the sole purpose of facilitating physical import of gold through IIBX or any similar exchange authorised by IFSCA, by Qualified Jewellers in India.
8. The above instructions shall come into force with immediate effect. AD banks may bring the contents of this Circular to the notice of their constituents and customers concerned.
9. 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,
(Vivek Srivastava)
Chief General Manager
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2022-2023/57 · issued 25 May 2022. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Example: if you are a Compliance officer at a bank this circular applies to (Category-I Authorised Dealer Banks, Qualified Jewellers notified by IFSCA, India International Bullion Exchange (IIBX) and other IFSCA-approved exchanges, Customs authorities handling gold imports), your first concrete step on “RBI allows Qualified Jewellers to import gold via IIBX” is: “Update internal policies to allow advance remittance up to 11 days for QJs importing gold via IIBX or IFSCA-approved exchanges.” (RBI issued this 25 May 2022).
Circular: RBI/2022-2023/57 -- RBI allows Qualified Jewellers to import gold via IIBX
Issued: 25 May 2022
Action required: Update internal policies to allow advance remittance up to 11 days for QJs importing gold via IIBX or IFSCA-approved exchanges.
Action required: Verify that the QJ is notified by IFSCA and that the import is under specified ITC(HS) codes through IIBX.
Action required: Ensure all due diligence is performed and that remittances are only for bona fide import transactions through IFSCA-authorized exchanges.
Action required: Monitor that unutilized advance amounts are returned to your bank within 11 days if the import does not materialize.
Action required: Collect and verify Bill of Entry or equivalent customs document as proof of import for each transaction.
Owner: ____________ Target date: ____________
Board/committee approval needed? Y / N
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.
💬 Banker Discussion
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BankPulse Compliance Evidence Pack — generated 03 Aug 2026 · status cross-checked against RBI’s official withdrawal register (refreshed weekly). Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=12324&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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