Laptop import cut in the works; govt wants no supply disruption

As the Union government explores ways to restrict import of laptops and other electronic devices starting with a 5 percent reduction from the current level, it is working to ensure that there's no supply disruption in India even if an import cap is introduced, it is learnt.

- Shreya Nandi & Nivedita Mookerji

The caveat assumes significance in the context of the government's announcement of its plan in August 2023 to issue licences for import of select IT hardware products to reduce the country's dependence on China.

However, due to resistance from companies, industry lobby groups and key trade partners including the United States (US), India stepped down from its earlier plan and a new import management system was introduced from November 2023 to issue import permits in an end-to-end online format.

The import management system covers seven IT hardware items including laptop, tablet, all-in-one personal computer, ultra-small form factor computer and servers, and is currently in place till December 31.

Ahead of that deadline, steps are being planned all over again to boost India manufacturing while reducing imports.

A source in the government said that those manufacturing in the country and also those planning to start the process have expressed the need for an import limit so that they can take advantage of 'Make in India' under the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) has been engaged with the industry on this matter for long, while giving a series of extensions to the current system of automated import.