Government defers laptop, computer import restrictions to November

New Delhi

In a significant development for the electronics industry, the government has decided to postpone the implementation of import restrictions on laptops and computers, including tablets, until October 31, 2023. This move provides electronic companies an extended window to import these devices without the necessity of a licence.
The restriction was previously announced on August 3, 2023, placing the import of these devices under a licensed regime with immediate effect. However, industry stakeholders raised issues with the government concerning this notification, leading to a reconsideration.
Late on Friday, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) clarified that the notification would now become effective from November 1, 2023. “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,” the DGFT said.
The government also stated that a “liberal transitional arrangement” would be provided for the import of laptops, tablets, all-in-one personal computers, ultra-small form factor computers, and servers until October 31, 2023.
This decision brings relief to companies that were anxious following the sudden order. The restrictions were originally imposed for security reasons and to foster domestic manufacturing, a strategy to reduce in-bound shipments from countries such as China and Korea.
The import curbs align with India’s goal to monitor the sources of imported electronic goods closely. It is also in step with the nation’s ambition to boost domestic manufacturing, particularly at a time when India has identified electronics manufacturing as a vital area for future growth and is actively seeking investments from international giants looking to diversify operations beyond China.
As part of the PLI 2.0 (production-linked incentive scheme) for IT hardware, 44 companies have already registered, and two more have applied on the scheme portal as of July 31. The window for companies to submit applications remains open until August 30, underlining the government’s commitment to nurturing the domestic electronics manufacturing ecosystem.