Apple, Samsung, HP Stop Imports of Laptops, Tablets After Govt’s Restrictions: Report – News18

Major PC makers Samsung, Apple and HP have stopped new imports of laptops and tablets to India after the government on Thursday restricted inbound shipments without a license, according to a Bloomberg report.

Tech companies are now engaging with the government to quickly obtain licences for imports even as festival season is approaching, according to the Bloomberg report.

In order to promote domestic manufacturing, the government on Thursday, August 3, imposed import restrictions on laptops, tablets, all-in-one personal computers, ultra-small form factor computers, and servers with immediate effect. The move is expected to cut imports from countries like China.

In its notification, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said exemption from import licensing is provided up to 20 items per consignment for R&D, testing, benchmarking and evaluation, repair and return and product development purposes.

“Import of laptops, tablets, all-in-one personal computers, and ultra-small form factor computers, servers…is ‘Restricted’ with immediate effect,” it said. The DGFT is an arm of the commerce and industry ministry which deals with exports and imports in the country.

Products under restrictions need licence or permission from the government.

“Exemption from Import Licencing requirements is provided for Import of 1 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 shall be subject to payment of duty as applicable,” according to the notification.