Data presented in Parliament has revealed that gold smuggling almost doubled after the change in custom duty on May 13. Between May 13 and June 30, 160.91 kg of gold was seized and 116 people were arrested, which is much more than the previous period.
Seizures of gold by the Customs Department have almost doubled after changes in customs duty on gold and silver were implemented on May 13 this year, according to data presented in Parliament on Tuesday. The data showed that 160.91 kg gold was seized in 287 cases between May 13 and June 30, 2026, while 86.16 kg gold was seized in 165 cases between April 1 and May 12, 2026.
The government said the number of people arrested in connection with gold smuggling also increased during this period. Customs officials arrested 116 people between May 13 and June 30, while 67 people were arrested between April 1 and May 12. These figures were shared by Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasad in a written reply to an unstarred question in the Lok Sabha.
Huge increase in silver smuggling
The reply also included figures of silver seizure. Between May 13 and June 30, 2026, the Customs department seized 535.95 kg of silver in 16 cases, while between April 1 and May 12, 2026, 49.53 kg of silver was seized in seven cases. The customs duty on import of gold and silver was revised with effect from May 13, 2026.
Government keeps a close eye on smuggling
Responding to concerns that the increase in import duty on gold and silver could lead to increase in smuggling and illicit trade, the Minister said that Customs sector units and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) maintain constant surveillance and operational preparedness to prevent and detect smuggling activities, including gold and silver.
The government said that under the existing legal framework, such risks are continuously monitored and addressed through enforcement measures. He said that whenever cases of smuggling come to light, action is taken under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962 and other applicable laws, including seizure of smuggled gold and silver and taking possession of them, as well as arrest and prosecution of the persons involved, wherever necessary.
Smuggling statistics of last years
The data also revealed that during 2025-26, the Customs Department seized 646.66 kg of gold in 836 cases, leading to the arrest of 508 people.
In 2024-25, authorities seized 2,600.40 kg of gold in 3,005 cases, while 1,240 people were arrested.
The government further said that in 2023-24, the Customs Department seized 4,971.68 kg of gold in 6,599 cases, leading to 2,003 arrests.
In 2022-23, authorities seized 4,342.85 kg of gold in 4,619 cases and 1,740 people were arrested.
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