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

The government on Thursday imposed import restrictions on laptops tablets allinone personal computers ultra small form factor computers and servers with immediate effect reported news agency PTIThe 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 RampD testing benchmarking and evaluation repair and return product development purposesThe move is expected to cut imports from countries like ChinaImport of laptops tablets allinone 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 readThe restriction shall not be applicable to imports under baggage rules it saidThe 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 allinone personal computer or ultra small form factor computer including those purchased from ecommerce portals through post or courier Imports shall be subject to payment of duty as applicable the DGFT said in the notificationProducts under restrictions need license or permission from the governmentThe exemption from import licensing requirements is provided for import of one laptop tablet allinone personal computer or ultra small form factor computer including those purchased from ecommerce portals through post or courier the government has saidExemption from import licence is provided for up to 20 such items per consignment for the purpose of RampD testing benchmarking and evaluation repair and reexport 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 reexported In reference to para 228 of the FTP regarding reimport of goods repaired abroad licence for V the DGFT said in the notificationRestricted imports shall not be required for repair and return of said items Laptops tablets allinone 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 saidWith inputs from PTI