According to unnamed government officials cited by Reuters, India is delaying the implementation of import licenses for laptops and tablets by one year. This choice marks a change from the prior course of action, which drew condemnation from key companies in the market, including titans like Apple and Samsung.
The action tries to ease worries and speed up the import registration procedure. The Indian Electronics Department, however, has not made a formal statement regarding the situation.
Registration Certificate
Companies importing laptops, tablets, and PCs will need to get a “registration certificate” rather than the previously anticipated “license” under the proposed “Import Management System.” At a meeting hosted by the Indian Electronics Department, this advice was presented to business representatives.
Concerns about the market impact arose after the initial announcement of the import license requirements for laptops, tablets, and personal computers. Prior to the new laws, businesses could freely import certain goods; however, the selling of those products in India now requires specific licenses. Longer waiting times for product entrance have raised concerns from industry insiders, especially during high demand like holidays.
The Indian government has decided to further postpone the implementation of the import license regulations in response to demand from numerous sources. These requirements will now go into force on November 1st of this year. Manufacturers don’t need any further licenses to continue importing laptops, tablets, PCs, and server equipment until October 31.
The Indian government’s response to industry concerns and continued efforts to strike a balance between the development of home manufacturing and the interests of international trade are reflected in this decision to postpone the import licensing system.
Import license for electronics deferred | World Business Watch
Low-Tech Manufacturing Sector
The one-year delay gives businesses some breathing room as the government reexamines the licensing strategy. Stakeholders in the industry will be keenly monitoring new developments and any future changes to these import laws.
The Centre established a licensing requirement for the import of tablets and laptops last month. However, weekend media reports indicate that the plan to do so might be postponed by a year. Resistance from the US government and industry appears to have led to this turnabout.
This may be for the best. The impact of such a move on business innovation plans has not received much attention from the public, particularly in the low-tech manufacturing sector, which employs millions of people.
A license requirement would have raised the cost of computer equipment and slowed down low-tech companies’ investments in that equipment.
