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Dated: 24.01.2026
Second Round of Allocation of Gold Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) under India-UAE CEPA for FY 2025-26
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under the Department of Commerce, Government of India, has announced the procedure for the second round of allocation of Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) for gold under tariff head 7108 as part of the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) for the financial year 2025-26. This initiative aims to promote trade facilitation, ensure predictable import flows, and strengthen bilateral economic engagement between India and the UAE.
Key Highlights of the Public Notice
- TRQ Allocation Process:
- The allocation of TRQ for gold will be conducted through a competitive bidding/tender process.
- The total quantity of allocation for this round is capped at 80 metric tons (MT).
- The bidding process is detailed in the Tender Document available on the MSTC website.
- Eligibility Criteria:
- Applicants must be registered with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for hallmarking.
- They must hold a valid GST Identification Number (GSTIN) and be registered under applicable GST enactments in India.
- Import of Gold Dore under TRQ is not considered eligible.
- Broadening Participation:
- In compliance with the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi’s order dated 26.09.2025, the allocation process has been reviewed to make it more inclusive.
- The maximum eligible quantity for allocation to bidders is limited to:
- Micro Enterprises: 50 KG
- Small Enterprises: 100 KG
- Medium Enterprises: 250 KG
- Other Units: 500 KG
- These limits are in addition to any quantities allocated in the first round of allocations.
- Validity of TRQ Authorizations:
- TRQ authorizations issued to successful bidders will remain valid for six months from the date of issuance.
- Bidding Process:
- The tender process includes both Technical and Financial Bid components.
- Bidders must register on the MSTC portal and possess a valid Class III Signing and Encryption Digital Signature Certificate (DSC).
- A participation fee of ₹5,000 plus GST and a bid security of ₹1,00,000 must be submitted before uploading documents and submitting the bid.
- The financial bid involves an Excel-based price bid with 51 price buckets, where bidders can indicate the quantity they wish to bid for at specific price points.
- Declaration of Successful Bidders:
- Preferred bidders will be declared successful upon meeting eligibility conditions, filing a TRQ application on the DGFT website, and paying the bid amount for the allocated quantity within the prescribed period.
- Bid security will be refunded to unsuccessful bidders within four weeks of the declaration of preferred bidders or cancellation of the tender process.
- Fraudulent Practices:
- DGFT has outlined strict measures against fraudulent, coercive, or restrictive practices during the tender process. Violators will face penalties, including forfeiture of bid security and disqualification from future tenders for three years.
Tentative Schedule of the Tender Process
The timeline for the second round of TRQ allocation is as follows:
| Event | Tentative Date |
| Pre-bid Conference | 28.01.2026 |
| Pre-bid Conference | 29.01.2026 |
| Bid Start Date | 02.02.2026 |
| Bid End Date | 06.02.2026 |
| Technical Bid Opening | 09.02.2026 |
| TRQ Allocation by EFC | 16.02.2026 |
How to Participate
- Registration:
- Visit the MSTC portal at https://www.mstcecommerce.com/eprocn/dgft.
- Complete the online registration form and create a user ID and password.
- Ensure you have a valid Class III Signing and Encryption Digital Signature Certificate (DSC).
- Pre-Bid Conference:
- Attend the pre-bid conference on the designated dates (28th and 29th January 2026) to seek clarifications and additional information.
- Bid Submission:
- Submit the technical bid with all required documents, including GST registration, hallmark registration, Import Export Code (IEC), and MSME certificate (if applicable).
- Complete the financial bid by filling out the Excel-based price bid and uploading it to the MSTC portal.
- TRQ Application:
- Successful bidders must file a TRQ application on the DGFT website and pay the bid amount within the prescribed timeline.
Important Notes
- Any false information or misrepresentation will lead to the cancellation of the bid and penal proceedings under the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992.
- The DGFT reserves the right to reject any bid or annul the tender process without assigning any reason.
- Bidders are advised to conduct due diligence regarding gold prices in the international market and familiarize themselves with applicable laws related to gold imports.
Conclusion
The second round of TRQ allocation for gold under the India-UAE CEPA is a significant step towards enhancing trade relations between the two nations. By adopting a competitive bidding process and broadening participation, the DGFT aims to ensure transparency and inclusivity in the allocation of TRQs. Interested bidders are encouraged to carefully review the tender document, adhere to the guidelines, and participate in this opportunity to benefit from concessional duty rates on gold imports.
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Source: DGFT
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