India reverses laptop import restrictions amid backlash

Home
Industry News
India reverses laptop import restrictions amid backlash

India reverses laptop import restrictions amid backlash

Industry News
Oct 19,23

The country's trade secretary, Sunil Barthwal, announced the change, stating that the government aims to closely monitor laptop importers.

India reverses laptop import restrictions amid backlash

India has reversed its decision to impose restrictions on the import of laptops, following backlash and opposition. The country's trade secretary, Sunil Barthwal, announced the change, stating that the government aims to closely monitor laptop importers. The initial plan, introduced on August 3 to ensure the entry of "trusted hardware and systems" into India, faced criticism from the industry and Washington, leading to a three-month postponement. Companies like Apple, Samsung, Dell, Lenovo, and HP would have been significantly affected by these restrictions.

Despite the reversal, laptop imports will not revert to the previous protocol. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Santosh Kumar Sarangi, stated that the government is engaging with industry stakeholders to establish a new order, expected to be announced by the end of the month.

Initially, Indian authorities had announced mandatory import licenses for electronic goods, including laptops and tablets, starting from November 1, 2023. However, the enforcement of these restrictions was postponed and has now been replaced with a new order.

The government's decision to impose import restrictions was driven by concerns about security, the promotion of local manufacturing, and reducing the influx of laptops from China. According to the initial announcement, only those with valid licenses would be allowed to import restricted items, with exceptions made for specific tasks such as research and development, testing, benchmarking, evaluation, repair, re-export, and product development.

Source: businesstoday.in