Govt imposes import restrictions on laptops, tablets; here's why

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) in a notification said that exemption from import licensing is provided for up to 20 items per consignment for R&D, testing, benchmarking and evaluation, repair and return, product development purposes

The government on Thursday imposed import restrictions on laptops, tablets, all-in-one personal computers, ultra small form factor computers and servers with immediate effect, reported news agency PTI

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) in a notification said that exemption from import licensing is provided for up to 20 items per consignment for R&D, testing, benchmarking and evaluation, repair and return, product development purposes.

The move is expected to cut imports from countries like China.

"Import of laptops, tablets, all-in-one personal computers, and ultra small form factor Computers and Servers falling under HSN 8741 shall be 'restricted' and their import would be allowed against a valid Licence for Restricted Imports," the notification read. 

The restriction shall not be applicable to imports under baggage rules, it said.

"The said restriction shall not be applicable to imports under baggage rules, as amended from time to time. Exemption from import licencing requirements is provided for import of one laptop, tablet, all-in-one personal computer, or ultra small form factor computer, including those purchased from e-commerce portals, through post or courier. Imports shall be subject to payment of duty as applicable," the DGFT said in the notification.

Products under restrictions need license or permission from the government. 

The exemption from import licensing requirements is provided for import of one laptop, tablet, all-in-one personal computer, or ultra small form factor computer, including those purchased from e-commerce portals, through post or courier, the government has said.

"Exemption from import licence is provided for up to 20 such items per consignment for the purpose of R&D, testing, benchmarking and evaluation, repair and re-export, product development purposes. Given imports shall be allowed subject to condition that the imported goods shall 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. In reference to para 2.28 of the FTP regarding re-import of goods repaired abroad, licence for V," the DGFT said in the notification.

Restricted imports shall not be required for repair and return of said items. Laptops, tablets, all-in-one personal computers, and ultra small form factor computers and servers which are an essential part of a capital good shall be exempted from the import licencing requirement, the government has said.

(With inputs from PTI)

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