The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has notified no change in tariff values for key imported commodities including gold, silver, edible oils, brass scrap and areca nuts, through Notification No. 16/2026–Customs (N.T.) dated 2 February 2026. The notification has been issued in exercise of powers under Section 14(2) of the Customs Act, 1962, and will come into force with effect from 2 February 2026.
The notification amends the long-standing Notification No. 36/2001-Customs (N.T.) dated 3 August 2001, which prescribes tariff values for select commodities where customs duty is levied on a notified value instead of the transaction value. As part of the amendment, Table-1, Table-2 and Table-3 of the principal notification have been substituted.
Despite the substitution of the tables, the CBIC has retained the existing tariff values, indicating stability in benchmark valuation for these sensitive commodities.
Under Table-1, tariff values for major edible oils and brass scrap continue at the existing levels. These include crude palm oil, RBD palm oil, palmolein, crude soyabean oil and brass scrap (all grades). The continuation of the same tariff values suggests that the government does not perceive any immediate need to recalibrate valuation benchmarks in view of international price movements.
Table-2 of the notification deals with tariff values for gold and silver, particularly in cases where concessional duty benefits under Notification No. 45/2025-Customs dated 24 October 2025 are availed. Gold, in any form, continues to attract a tariff value of USD 1604 per 10 grams. Silver, in any form, continues at USD 3339 per kilogram.
The notification also reiterates detailed descriptions covering gold bars (other than tola bars), gold coins of specified purity, silver of 99.9% purity, and semi-manufactured forms, along with specific exclusions such as jewellery and foreign currency coins.
Under Table-3, the tariff value for areca nuts (betel nuts) remains unchanged at USD 7679 per metric tonne. Areca nuts continue to be a closely monitored import item due to frequent valuation disputes and enforcement action at ports.
The notification is effective from 2 February 2026 and applies to all relevant imports from that date onwards. Since there is no revision in tariff values, importers will continue to assess customs duty on the same benchmark values as earlier, ensuring continuity and predictability in customs valuation.
Notification Details
Notification No. 16 /2026 – CUSTOMS (N.T.)
Date: 02/02/2026
