Customs seizes 247 kg of smuggled gold, 585 kg silver in Q1FY26: Jitin Prasada

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) seized 247.07 kg of smuggled gold during the April-June quarter of 2026-27, reflecting a sharp decline from the annual seizures recorded over the past few years, the government informed Parliament on Tuesday.

In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada said the CBIC also seized 585.48 kg of smuggled silver during the first quarter of the current financial year.

According to the data shared by the minister, gold seizures stood at 646.66 kg in 2025-26, compared with 2,600.40 kg in 2024-25, 4,971.68 kg in 2023-24 and 4,342.85 kg in 2022-23.

Silver seizures, meanwhile, were 542.58 kg in 2025-26, 2,505.18 kg in 2024-25, 984.42 kg in 2023-24 and 784.29 kg in 2022-23.

The government had raised the import duty on gold and silver to 15% on May 13 to curb non-essential imports amid the West Asia crisis, which had put pressure on the country's foreign exchange reserves.

Prasada said customs field formations and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) continue to maintain constant vigilance to prevent the smuggling of precious metals.

"Such risks are continuously monitored and addressed through enforcement measures under the extant legal framework," he said.

He added that whenever smuggling is detected, authorities initiate action under the Customs Act, 1962, and other applicable laws, including seizure and confiscation of smuggled gold and silver, besides arrest and prosecution of those involved wherever warranted.

On a separate question, the minister said there are no restrictions on mango exports to Nepal. "Government of Nepal has clarified that imports of mangoes are permitted subject to the prescribed phytosanitary requirements," he said.

Regarding exports to Japan, Prasada said concerns raised during pre-season inspections by Japanese authorities have been addressed by India's National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO), which is continuing discussions with Japan for the resumption of mango exports.

On trade through the Attari-Wagah border, the minister said imports or transit of goods originating in or exported from Pakistan remain prohibited. He added that Punjab's merchandise exports increased from ₹52,903 crore in 2021-22 to ₹63,310 crore in 2025-26, registering nearly 20% growth despite the restrictions.

"...no structural feasibility study for reviving trade through the route has been conducted; any question of resumption would be considered within the national-security framework in which the suspension was decided," Prasada said.