India unveils import restrictions on foreign-made laptops, tablets, and servers

As India continues in its pursuit to supercharge local production within the country, actively courting big tech firms to invest and establish manufacturing hubs in the country, its government is simultaneously implementing other measures to ensure that locally-made products are getting some attention.

Now, the country has taken a significant step to encourage homegrown manufacturing and a transformation in consumer behaviour by imposing import restrictions on laptops, tablets, and personal computers, requiring any company seeking to import these electronic devices into India to obtain a "Valid Licence for Restricted Imports."

Major brands like Apple, Lenovo, HP, Asus, Samsung, and others stand within the crosshairs of this regulatory adjustment, potentially halting their import activities for these devices in the Indian market.

The regulation however allows an exemption for individuals bringing laptops, tablets, personal computers, or small form factor computers in their baggage from abroad, but restricts the resale of these devices in India. It also applies to items purchased from e-commerce platforms and those shipped via courier or post.

Additionally, import licenses allow an exemption for up to 20 items per shipment, specifically for research, testing, repair, re-export, product development, and testing. However, these imports must be used solely for their stated purposes and not intended for sale.

Notably, the new import regulation is set to upset the prevailing market dynamics that have long sustained the country, particularly in its intricate trade ties with China, a major player in electronics.

Data from the United Nations COMTRADE underscores this interdependence, revealing that India's imports of electronic equipment from China soared to an impressive $30.63 billion in 2022.