Centre restricts import of laptops, PCs and tablets
Updated: Aug 3rd, 2023
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| Image: IANS |
The Central government notified restrictions on the import of laptops, tablets, personal computers and servers today.
A notification issued today by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said that though the import of these items will be allowed against a licence, certain use cases have been exempted from the restrictions.
These are the import of one laptop, tablet, personal computer, or ultra-small form factor computer through online portals, couriers, or post.
Exemptions in the restrictions
Imports under baggage rules also don’t fall under these restrictions, the DGFT notification said.
Around 20 of these items have been exempted from an import licence per consignment for purposes like research and development, testing, benchmarking and evaluation, repair and re-export and for product development.
Imports shall be allowed if they will be used for the stated purposes only and will not be sold.
Further, after the intended purpose, the products would either be destroyed beyond use or re-exported, the notification said further.
The import of these electronic goods, however, is allowed when they are an “essential” part of capital goods.
Restrictions implemented to enable ease of doing business: ICEA
Today, the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) said it is confident that valid licences will be provided to trusted industry partners to enable ease of doing business, as the government announced restrictions on the import of laptops, personal computers and other electronics items.
Fostering the ‘Make in India’
According to Prabhu Ram, head, Industry Intelligence Group, CMR, the new policy announcement is a step in the right direction, as it seeks to restrict certain electronics imports and enforce licences for restricted items, and thereby fostering ‘Make in India’.
“The Product Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme 2.0 for IT Hardware is expected to enhance the hardware manufacturing ecosystem,” Ram said.
The scheme covers laptops, tablets, all-in-one PCs, servers and ultra-small form factor devices.
With an anticipated incremental investment of ₹2,430 crore, the scheme aims to generate an incremental production amounting to ₹3,35,000 crore.
Moreover, PLI 2.0 is expected to create 75,000 direct jobs along with over two lakh indirect jobs, significantly increasing employment opportunities in the sector.
(Source: IANS)
-Edited for style
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