India reiterates restrictions on importing specific electronics and IT goods
- In Reports
- 08:24 PM, May 21, 2024
- Myind Staff
India has reaffirmed its restrictions on the import of certain electronics and IT goods, as stated in an official notification from the Commerce Ministry dated May 20. This order, initially put in place in 2021, has been updated with requisite notifications.
The ministry has prohibited the import of unregistered and non-compliant notified products in the electronics and IT goods category.
A government official familiar with the matter stated, "There is no implication of this notification. The import policy for these categories in question was restricted anyway, so it remains status quo," as quoted by news agency Reuters.
For LED products and DC/AC supplied control gears for LED modules, agencies will randomly select consignments and pick up samples on a random basis. These products will then undergo testing in labs to assess limited defined non-destructive safety parameters from applicable standards.
Subsequently, Customs will approve only those consignments that comply with the parameters. Any non-compliant items will either be held back or destroyed at the importer's expense, as per the amended rules.
Goods failing to meet the standards of the Bureau of Indian Standards or not complying with labelling requirements will either be re-exported or scrapped off by government agencies.
In August 2023, the government imposed restrictions on certain IT hardware items. Concerns raised by both domestic and foreign companies prompted adjustments to these restrictions in October, specifically regarding laptop and computer imports. Importers are now allowed to bring in these hardware items from abroad with only an 'authorisation', which specifies the quantity and value.
Following industry concerns, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issued a clarification stating that certain IT hardware products, such as desktop computers, are not subject to import restrictions. However, the import of laptops, tablets, all-in-one personal computers, and ultra-small form-factor computers remains restricted, and imports of these goods are valid only with import authorisation.
Image source: Reuters
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