India rolls back import restrictions on Laptops

Laptop Import: Months after announcing import ban on laptops, India has decided to roll back the decision. Trade Secretary Sunil Barthwal in a press conference said that the government will not impose any restrictions.

"India will not impose restrictions on laptop imports," Trade Secretary Sunil Barthwal told a press conference on Friday. "The government only wants importers to be on close watch", he added

Import Ban

The government on August 3 imposed import restrictions on laptops, tablets, all-in-one personal computers, ultra small form factor computers and servers. The ban was aimed at ensuring trusted hardware and systems to enter India.

Also Read: India's laptop boom: Dell, HP, Lenovo eye manufacturing amid new import rules

But, the government gave an exemption from the import Licencing requirements for the import of one laptop, tablet, all-in-one personal computer, or ultra small form factor computer, including those purchased from e-commerce portals through post or courier. Imports will be subject to payment of duty as applicable.

However, the government had to put the decision on hold as it received opposition from various hardware and software manufacturers like Dell, HP, Apple, Samsung and Lenovo.