Shillong, September 22: The government is expected to postpone import duty restrictions on PCs, laptops, and tablets for a period of 9-12 months beyond the October 30 deadline, as per sources close to the development.
As per IANS, the government will require manufacturers to register for the new import process. This decision provides relief to global PC and laptop manufacturers such as HP, Apple, Dell, Lenovo, and others who rely on imports to meet rising demand, especially during the upcoming festive season.
Additionally, the government has requested PC and laptop companies to share their import data for the past three years. The import authorization process for laptops and tablets will be conducted online through the “import management system” website managed by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). The portal, catering to mobile phones, IT, and telecom products, is set to go live by the end of September.
The government reiterated that the import restrictions are intended to promote exports through domestic manufacturing rather than to ban imports. Major consumer electronics companies had previously urged an extension of the November 1 deadline for the licenses required for PCs, laptops, and tablets by at least a year, citing the need for time to set up manufacturing and assembly units in compliance with the new guidelines.
Discussions have taken place regarding proposed changes, including linking IT hardware imports to a company’s local manufacturing value and the export value of electronic items. The India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) had also appealed to the government to reconsider import licensing requirements, which had been extended by three months until October 31. They expressed concerns that these measures could lead to price increases and supply chain disruptions in consumer electronics products, impacting various stakeholders, including students, start-ups, and IT firms.
Initially, the Central government had deferred its decision to restrict certain laptop and computer imports until November 1, allowing a three-month window for companies to import these devices. Post November 1, importing laptops, computers, and related items would require a license.