Govt permits export of gold idols of 8-24 carats with certain conditions

New Delhi: The government has allowed export of gold idols of eight carats and up to 24 carats with certain conditions, according to a notification of the commerce ministry. However, these exports are allowed only from the domestic tariff area. [caption id=“attachment_4229905” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. Reuters.[/caption] Foreign trade policy has been amended “to allow export of gold idols (only gods and goddess) of 8 carats and above (up to 24 carats) from domestic tariff area,” Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has said in a notification. The conditions for overseas shipments of the idols include 100 percent examination of these exports by the approved government valuer, foreign remittance has to be realised within a period of three months from the date of exports, and mandatory submission of export order by exporters. Exporters would also have to make a clear distinction between a religious idol and simply moulded gold article/idol. Besides, the exports would be allowed only by actual manufacturers of such idols, the notification said.