Centre Defers Order To Restrict Imports Of Laptops, Tablets Till Oct 31
The government gave electronic companies extra time to import gadgets without a license on Friday by delaying the execution of the import restriction order on laptops and desktops (including tablet computers) by around three months until October 31.
From November 1, these businesses would have to apply for a government license in order to import these devices.
On August 3, the government immediately instituted a license requirement for the import of these gadgets. The government then received complaints from the industry regarding the notification.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), in an order issued late on Friday, said the notification dated August 3 (Thursday) shall be effective from November 1.
“Import consignments can be cleared till October 31, 2023 without a licence for restricted imports. For clearance of import consignments with effect from November 1, 2023, a valid licence for restricted imports is required,” it said.
It added that a “liberal transitional arrangement is provided for import of laptops, tablets, all-in-one personal computers, ultra-small form factor computers and servers…till October 31, 2023”.
The move will offer a breather to the companies that have been on tenterhooks following Thursday’s order.
The restrictions were imposed for security reasons and the need to promote domestic manufacturing. The move will also curtail in-bound shipments of these goods from countries like China and Korea.
The import curbs will allow the Centre to keep a close watch on the locations from where the products are coming, officials said.
The decision will also spur domestic manufacturing at a time when India has identified electronics manufacturing as a key priority area for its future growth ambitions and is hoping to attract investments from global biggies looking to diversify their operations outside China.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), in an order issued late on Friday, said the notification dated August 3 (Thursday) shall be effective from November 1.
“Import consignments can be cleared till October 31, 2023 without a licence for restricted imports. For clearance of import consignments with effect from November 1, 2023, a valid licence for restricted imports is required,” it said.
It added that a “liberal transitional arrangement is provided for import of laptops, tablets, all-in-one personal computers, ultra-small form factor computers and servers…till October 31, 2023”.
The move will offer a breather to the companies that have been on tenterhooks following Thursday’s order.
The restrictions were imposed for security reasons and the need to promote domestic manufacturing. The move will also curtail in-bound shipments of these goods from countries like China and Korea.
The import curbs will allow the Centre to keep a close watch on the locations from where the products are coming, officials said.
The decision will also spur domestic manufacturing at a time when India has identified electronics manufacturing as a key priority area for its future growth ambitions and is hoping to attract investments from global biggies looking to diversify their operations outside China.
