Import authorisation norms will not lead to laptop, tablet and PC price rise: MeitY secretary

Further measures could be taken after September 2024 on the basis of the data collected.

As the new import management system for laptop, tablet and PCs kicks in, the government does not expect any supply constraints, and ultimately any price increase on such items as a result of these norms, government officials said on October 19.

This comes as the government said that the new import management system for laptops, tablets and PCs will take effect from November 1. Moneycontrol had earlier reported that the government will relax import curbs (earlier announced by the Ministry of Commerce) and will allow free import of such items till September 30, 2024.

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The portal has been active since October 1, and sources earlier told Moneycontrol that the industry had started applying for such authorisations. The aim behind the introduction of the import management system was to ensure a trusted supply chain for such items, as well as to boost local production, officials said.

"Ultimately prices are a factor of demand and supply. And through the system that we are putting in place, we don't expect the supply to be constrained in any manner to push the prices up," S Krishnan, secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology said in a press conference. Directorate General of Foreign Trade director general Santosh Kumar Sarangi was also present at the briefing.

"Supply will continue both from imported and domestic sources. And we believe that as domestic production increases, the overall supply will increase and prices will either stay where they are or come down," he added.

Also read: New laptop, PC import system not in violation of WTO norms, says MeitY secretary

In this import management system, manufacturers, importers and others will have to feed in import details of their products. During the briefing, officials clarified that no import authorisation request would be rejected.

The government will study the data from the imports, and will take a further call on whether to restrictions or not post September 30, 2024.

"With this important management system in place, we'll have clear data on specific products coming from different sources and then monitoring it in consultation with the stakeholders," DGFT's Sarangi said.