The government has reduced import tariff value of gold and silver to $392 per 10g and $638 a kg, respectively. Import tariff value is the base price at which customs duty is determined to prevent under-invoicing.
The tariff value on imported gold earlier stood at $398 per 10g, while on silver at $643 a kg. The notification in this regard has been issued by the Central Board of Excise and Customs, an official release said on Thursday.
However the tariff value on imported brass scrap has been increased to $3,940 a tonne from $3,930 a tonne. The tariff value on imported poppy seeds has also been raised to $3,195 a tonne from $3,154 a tonne. Gold in Singapore, which normally sets price trend on the domestic front, was trading at $1,224.11 an ounce and silver at $20 an ounce on Thursday.
India, the world's largest consumer of gold, imported 393.68 tonnes of the precious metal during the April-September period of this year, as per official data. The government has taken several steps to reduce gold imports, including hike in custom duties.