Indian govt’s laptop and PC import ban effective from November 1, despite manufacturer appeals

In a recent development, the government has reaffirmed its stance on not delaying the impending restrictions on the import of laptops, personal computers, and tablets. These measures, which entail the compulsory acquisition of licenses for bulk imports of these devices, are slated to become effective from November 1, 2023.

Notably, prominent industry players engaged in a discussion with Rajeev Chandrashekhar, the Minister of State for the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), where they sought an extension of the transition phase by approximately 6 to 12 months.

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Alkesh Kumar Sharma, the secretary of MeitY, expressed satisfaction with the overwhelming response garnered by the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) initiative targeting large-scale electronics. Consequently, he underscored that there is no justification for extending the transitional period for these corporations to commence domestic manufacturing. Sharma elaborated, "We have already received 58 registrations encompassing a spectrum of participants, ranging from large and small entities to both domestic and international stakeholders. With the application window for the scheme open until August 30, 2023, we anticipate further participation."

The government had made an unexpected announcement on August 4, unveiling import constraints on personal computers, laptops, and tablets. Following significant uproar, however, the authorities opted to postpone the implementation of these restrictions until November 1.

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During their interaction with Minister Chandrasekhar, prominent laptop manufacturers including but not limited to Dell, Acer, Samsung, Panasonic, Apple, Lenovo, and HP, articulated several concerns regarding the decision and the intricacies involved in obtaining the requisite licenses.

As it stands, the restrictions on the import of select electronic items are slated to take effect from November 1, 2023. Despite industry appeals, the government remains steadfast in its commitment to enforcing these measures as planned.