The Indian government has taken the decision to restrict the import of laptops, tablets, and personal computers with immediate effect. Importers will now be required to obtain a valid license for restricted imports in order to bring in these electronic devices into the country. The notification to this effect has been issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
The Indian government has imposed restrictions on the import of laptops, tablets, and personal computers, effective immediately. The imports of these items will only be allowed with a valid license for restricted imports, as per the notification issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
However, the restrictions will not apply to imports made under the Baggage Rules, which pertain to customs checks for passengers entering or leaving the Indian border.
The notification also outlined certain exemptions. Individuals will be permitted to import one laptop, tablet, all-in-one personal computer, or ultra-small form factor computer, including those purchased from e-commerce platforms through post or courier. Such imports will be subject to the payment of applicable duties.
For research and development, testing, benchmarking, evaluation, repair and re-export, and product development purposes, an exemption from import licensing requirements will be granted for up to 20 such items per consignment. These imports must be used solely for the intended purposes and not for resale. Once the intended purposes are fulfilled, the products must be either destroyed beyond use or re-exported.
The notification also clarifies that a license for restricted imports will not be required for the re-import of goods repaired abroad, as long as they are being returned to India after repair.
Additionally, laptops, tablets, all-in-one personal computers, ultra-small form factor computers, and servers that are considered essential capital goods will be exempted from the import licensing requirements.
This move by the Indian government aims to regulate and control the import of laptops, tablets, and personal computers, while still allowing for certain exemptions to facilitate research, development, and essential capital goods procurement.
