> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.wwconemedia.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Thai Jewellers Push India to Lift Import Curbs — A Trade Fight Is Growing Behind the Glitter - URL: https://www.wwconemedia.com/thai-jewellers-push-india-to-lift-import-curbs-a-trade-fight-is-growing-behind-the-glitter/ - Published: 2026-09-02T15:56:35.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-02T15:56:35.000Z - Author: WWC NEWSDESK - Tags: THAILAND, BUSINESS Thailand’s jewellery industry is pressing India to reconsider restrictions on precious-metal jewellery imports, warning that tighter trade rules could disrupt a long-standing commercial relationship between the two countries. The dispute comes after India introduced tighter controls on jewellery imports in 2026, particularly products covered by ASEAN trade arrangements. The measures require importers of covered jewellery to obtain government authorization, while exemptions remain for certain export-oriented and special economic-zone operations. ## Why Thailand's jewellery industry is concerned Thailand is one of Asia’s major gems and jewellery hubs, with India among its important trading partners. Thailand’s Gem and Jewelry Information Center data show that **India accounted for about US$3.04 billion, or 16.85%, of Thailand’s gem and jewellery exports during January–July 2026**. That made India Thailand’s second-largest destination in the period shown, behind Switzerland. The wider Thai jewellery sector has also remained strong. Thailand’s gem and jewellery exports reached **US$16.92 billion during January–June 2026**, up 20.74% year on year, according to the country's Gem and Jewelry Information Center. That makes access to major markets such as India particularly important for Thai manufacturers, traders and exporters. ## What triggered India's restrictions? India's restrictions followed concerns that some traders were exploiting free-trade agreements to bring precious metals into the country at lower or zero tariff rates. In September 2025, India restricted certain silver-jewellery imports after officials observed a sharp increase in shipments from Thailand and other ASEAN countries. Indian authorities said there were concerns that ASEAN trade rules were being circumvented. The situation escalated in 2026. In April, India's Directorate General of Foreign Trade changed the import classification for numerous jewellery products under customs heading 7113 from **“Free” to “Restricted.”** The change covered various articles of jewellery and parts made from precious metals or metal clad with precious metals. The restrictions mean importers generally need authorization, although specific exemptions apply. ## Thailand was already under India's microscope Thailand became particularly important because Indian officials had identified unusually large flows of precious-metal jewellery from the country. Business Standard reported in March that some imports from Thailand were allegedly being structured as platinum jewellery even though the products contained a very high proportion of gold. The report said one category of jewellery contained approximately **90% gold, 4% platinum and 6% copper or silver**, raising concerns about the use of the Thailand-India trade arrangement to reduce duties. That helps explain why Indian authorities moved toward tighter controls. However, **the existence of suspected misuse does not mean that all Thai jewellery exporters were involved**. The restrictions affect legitimate traders as well as companies suspected of exploiting tariff differences, creating the industry's concern over unintended consequences. ## The bigger trade relationship The stakes are significant because Thailand and India already have established trade agreements. The Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi says the Thailand-India Free Trade Agreement entered into force in **September 2004** and covers 83 products, including gems and jewellery. The embassy says the products covered under the agreement currently have zero customs tariffs. Thailand also trades with India under the broader ASEAN-India framework. The Indian restrictions therefore raise questions about how far governments can tighten import controls to prevent abuse without undermining legitimate trade commitments. ## India's jewellery market is too important to ignore India is one of the world's largest jewellery markets, with gold deeply embedded in household savings, weddings and cultural traditions. That makes access to Indian buyers strategically important for jewellery-producing countries such as Thailand. At the same time, India has been attempting to protect government revenue and prevent tariff circumvention as gold and other precious-metal imports surge. In April, India's government moved to restrict **gold, silver and platinum jewellery imports**, with the stated objective of preventing misuse of free-trade agreements. The Economic Times reported that the move particularly affected jewellery entering from ASEAN countries, including Thailand. ## Thailand's industry faces a difficult balancing act For Thai jewellers, the issue is not simply about selling more jewellery to India. Thailand's industry relies heavily on international trade, and disruptions in one major market can affect manufacturers, exporters, gemstone suppliers and other businesses throughout the supply chain. Yet India argues that stronger controls are necessary when trade preferences are allegedly being used to circumvent normal tariffs. The challenge is therefore finding a system that **blocks fraudulent or misclassified shipments without unnecessarily penalizing legitimate Thai businesses.** ## Why this matters beyond Thailand and India The dispute is another example of how trade agreements across Asia are being tested by rapidly changing commodity prices, tariff differences and increasingly sophisticated supply chains. Thailand's jewellery industry is expanding strongly: official Thai industry data show jewellery exports excluding unwrought gold rose during the first half of 2026 even as the sector navigated major changes in precious-metal markets. India, meanwhile, is tightening controls on precious-metal imports while also dealing with high gold and silver demand. WWC ONE MEDIA G.A