MPORT OF GOLD BY NOMINATED BANKS/AGENCIES
A.P. (DIR SERIES 2012-13) CIRCULAR NO. 103,
DATED 13-5-2013
Attention of Authorised Persons is invited to paragraph 97 of the Monetary Policy Statement 2013-14 dated May 3, 2013, regarding import of gold. In terms of AD (G.P. Series) circular No.7 dated March 6, 1998 (see Annexure for ready reference), nominated banks/agencies were permitted to import gold on loan basis, Suppliers Credit/Buyers Credit basis, consignment basis as also on unfixed price basis.
2. The Working Group on Gold (Chairman: Shri K.U.B. Rao) had recommended aligning gold import regulations with rest of the imports for creating a level playing field between gold imports and other imports. Bulk of the gold imported by nominated banks is on consignment basis whereby nominated banks do not have to fund these stocks. To moderate the demand for gold for domestic use, it has been decided to restrict the import of gold on consignment basis by banks, only to meet the genuine needs of exporters of gold jewellery.
3. The above instructions will come into force with immediate effect. ADs may bring the contents of this circular to the notice of their constituents and customers concerned.
4. All other instructions relating to import of gold issued from time to time shall remain unchanged.
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).
ANNEXURE
A.D. (G.P. SERIES) CIRCULAR NO. 7, DATED 6-3-1998
Import of Gold on loan basis
1. Under the liberalised policy for import, Government of India has permitted import of gold by certain nominated agencies viz. MMTC, HHEC, STC, SBI and other agencies authorised by Reserve Bank for sale to jewellery manufacturers, exporters, NRIs, holders of Special Import licences and domestic users [cf. paragraph 8.15 of Exim Policy 1997-2002]. It has, therefore, been decided to permit the nominated agencies/banks to import gold under different arrangements, besides outright purchase on D/P basis, as follows:
2. (i) Import of Gold on loan basis
Gold loan may be availed of by nominated agencies/banks, where the loan is denominated on the basis of the quantity of gold, subject to the following conditions –
(a) The loan shall be obtained directly from the overseas supplier.
(b) The period of loan shall not be more than 180 days from the date of shipment. Extension of period beyond 180 days will require prior approval of Central Office of Reserve Bank (Imports Division).(c) Rate of interest on loan shall be as per the prevailing international practice.(d) Metal account in the books of the overseas supplier, if required by the supplier, may be maintained by the nominated bank/agency for the purpose of routing the import transactions only. No deposits will be permitted.(e) for the loan, if required by the supplier may be furnished by the nominated agency.
(ii) Import of gold on Suppliers credit/Buyers credit basis
Suppliers credit up to a period of 180 days may be availed of by the nominated agencies/banks subject to the provisions of paragraph 7A.12 of Exchange Control Manual 1993. Prior approval of Reserve Bank will be required if the period of credit exceeds 180 days. However, buyers credit will require prior approval of Reserve Bank irrespective of the period of credit.
(iii) Import of Gold on Consignment basis
Gold may be imported by the nominated banks/agencies on consignment basis wherein the ownership of the goods will rest with the supplier and the importer [consignee will be acting as an agent of the supplier [consignor]. Remittances towards the cost of import shall be made as and when sales take place as per the provisions of agreement entered into between the overseas supplier [consignor] and nominated agency/bank (consignee).
(iv) Import of gold on unfixed price basis
The nominated agency/bank may import gold on outright purchase basis subject to the condition that although ownership of the gold shaft be passed on to the importer at the time of import itself, the price of gold shall be fixed later, as and when the importer sells the gold to the users.
3. The directions contained in the circular have been issued under Section 73(3) of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1973 (46 of 1973) and any contravention or non-observance thereof is subject to the penalties prescribed under the Act.
