The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has announced plans to restrict the import of specific laptops and computers, effective from 1 November 2023.
Following this date, the import of laptops, computers and related items will require a licence. The DGFT notification clarified that import consignments can be cleared without a licence until 31 October 2023.
According to the government, the primary objective is to incentivise domestic manufacturing and bridge the gap in the electronics sector. At present, major brands in the Indian laptop market – including Dell, Acer, Samsung, LG Electronics, Apple Inc, Lenovo and HP – heavily rely on imports, with a notable share originating from countries like China.
The DGFT notification gave liberal transitional arrangements for the import of laptops, tablets, all-in-one personal computers and servers until 31 October.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry said the restrictions would not apply to imports under the Baggage Rules, subject to amendments.
