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The Indian government has implemented restrictions on the import of laptops, tablets, all-in-one personal computers, ultra-small form factor computers, and servers. This means that companies will require licenses to import these items. However, individuals can bring one unit of any of these items to India from other countries without
The DGFT has issued a notification stating that companies will now need licenses to import laptops and tablets, whereas they were previously allowed to import these items freely. This move could impact technology companies such as Apple, Dell, and Samsung and compel them to increase local manufacturing.
“India is becoming one of the world’s fastest growing markets for digital products, including laptops and servers. India and DigitalNagriks will consume millions of digital products in the upcoming Techade,” Chandrasekhar stated in a post on X.
He further mentioned that the rapid digitalization and cloudification of India’s economy, along with the rapid growth of the country’s digital economy, are fueling demand growth.
“The government’s objective is to ensure trusted hardware and systems, reduce import dependence, and increase domestic manufacturing of these products,” the minister explained.
“This is not about license raj; it is about regulating imports to ensure the use of trusted and verified systems in India’s tech ecosystem, whether imported or domestically manufactured,” he added.
Most of the laptops and personal computers sold in India are manufactured or assembled in China. With these new rules, the government intends to shift the manufacturing and assembly of these items to India.
Exemptions for Laptop Imports
The government has provided certain exemptions for laptop imports. If you purchase a single unit of a laptop, tablet, all-in-one personal computer, or ultra-small form factor computer from abroad, you are required to pay the applicable duty, but you do not need to obtain a license.
For bulk consignments of up to 20 units, there is also an exemption from import licensing if the goods are purchased for R&D, testing, benchmarking and evaluation, repair and return, or product development purposes.