Govt extends laptop import management system by a year

This system was supposed to end on December 31, 2024.

The Central government on December 11 extended the system allowing unrestricted imports of laptops, tablets and PCs by a year till December 31, 2025, according to an official notification.

This system was supposed to end on December 31, 2024.

The government introduced the 'import management system,' requiring IT hardware companies to register and report data related to their imports back in October 2023, after it first delayed and then rolled back a decision to implement a licensing regime to curb such inbound shipments.

According to the latest notification by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, the application portal will be open from the 13th of this month till December 15, 2025.

"Importer is allowed to submit multiple applications in the year," the notification added.

In August 2023, the Indian government announced restrictions on free imports of laptops, tablets, personal computers, and related items. The move was aimed to boost opportunities for domestic manufacturers, given India’s substantial reliance on imports of these products. This decision was later set aside.

The initial move of a licensing regime had raised concerns among global tech giants such as Dell, Acer, Samsung, Panasonic, Apple, Lenovo, and HP, who argued it would impact their operations. Initially, unrestricted imports were allowed till September 2024, which was further extended till the end of the current year.

Not just the industry, but the United States too had back then expressed concerns over India’s decision to impose higher scrutiny over imports of such electronic products.

Back in January of this year, US Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai urged India to ensure that the end-to-end online system currently in operation and related policies on the import of laptops do not restrict trade going forward.

In response, India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal had then described the country's objectives behind implementing these policies, including those related to national security concerns.

The import management system currently in operation is seen as a step down from the government's earlier stance of imposing a licensing regime.