Net gold imports via Hong Kong to China, the world's top consumer of the metal, fell 0.2% to 4.192 tonnes in February, compared with 4.2 tonnes in January, the data showed.
"Import is still restricted. There were no quotas issued by People's Bank of China (PBOC) in February," Bernard Sin, Regional Director, Greater China at MKS Switzerland, said.
Switzerland is the world's biggest gold refining centre and transit hub, while India and China are the two biggest gold consumers and Thailand is a regional trade hub.
One reason for the pick-up is a steady decline in gold prices from record highs last August. Most gold in Asia is sold as jewellery and buyers are put off by high prices.
Higher buying activity in China, Singapore, Japan.
Dealers charged premiums of $6 an ounce over official domestic prices, inclusive of 12.5% import and 3% sales taxes, compared with last week's premium of $5.
Resistance is at $1,783, a break above which could lead to a gain to $1,801. On the daily chart, gold is retesting a support at $1,769, the 61.8% projection level of a downward wave C from $1,959.01.