India is expected to limit imports of laptops, tablets and personal computers after January, two government sources with direct knowledge of the matter said, a move to push companies such as Apple to increase domestic manufacturing.

This plan, if implemented, could disrupt an industry worth $8 billion (roughly Rs. 71,464 crore) to $10 billion (roughly Rs. 84,070 crore) and reshape the dynamics of the IT hardware market in India, which is heavily reliant on imports.

A similar plan to restrict imports was withdrawn last year following backlash from companies and lobbying from the United States. India has since monitored imports under a system set to expire this year and has asked firms to seek fresh approvals for imports next year.

The government feels it has given the industry enough time to adapt, said the sources, who did not want to be identified as discussions are private.

One of the sources said New Delhi will begin consultations with all sides starting next week. It could delay implementing the import restrictions by a few months if needed, the source added.

India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is working on a new import authorisation system, where companies will have to get prior approvals for their imports, one of the two sources said.

Under the current regime, laptop importers are free to bring in as many devices after an automated online registration.

The industry is dominated by the likes of HP, Dell, Apple, Lenovo, and Samsung, with two-thirds of Indian demand being currently met through imports, a significant amount from China. India’s IT hardware market, including laptops, is estimated at nearly $20 billion (roughly Rs. 1,68,141 crore), of which $5 billion (roughly Rs. 42,035 crore) is domestic production, according to consultancy Mordor Intelligence.

The government is considering minimum quality standards under its ‘compulsory registration order’ for laptops, notebooks and tablets, as one of the ways to weed out low quality devices, the officials said.

“We are working on such restrictions as global treaties stop us from any tariff action on laptops and tablets. It leaves us with few policy options to limit imports,” the second official said.

The federal electronics ministry did not respond to request for comment. The trade ministry said an appropriate decision on the import management system would be taken after consultation with the electronics ministry and other stakeholders.

Such a move will benefit contract manufacturers such as Dixon Technologies who have entered separate pacts with global firms like HP to make laptops and computers in India. Dixon aims to cater to 15 percent of India’s total demand.

Local Production

Limits to India’s imports should be calibrated based on India’s domestic production capacity, an industry source who is part of the government’s consultations said.

The nation’s key production incentive scheme for IT hardware has drawn participation from global firms including Acer, Dell, HP, and Lenovo. Most of the approved participants are ready to start manufacturing, India’s electronic minister said last year.

India has federal subsidies worth nearly $2.01 billion (roughly Rs. 17,655 crore) to promote domestic production.

Data from research firm Counterpoint shows imports of laptops completely assembled abroad in the first five months of 2024 fell four percent from a year earlier, with firms such as Lenovo and Acer increasing local assembly for entry-level laptops.

India has been long emphasised the need for “trusted sources” for electronics and communication devices amid growing concerns over cyberattacks and data theft.

In 2022, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India should cut reliance on foreign countries for communication technology such as servers.

India will implement mandatory testing of “essential security parameters” for all CCTV cameras from April 2025.

© Thomson Reuters 2024

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

India is expected to limit imports of laptops, tablets and personal computers after January, two government sources with direct knowledge of the matter said, a move to push companies such as Apple to increase domestic manufacturing.

This plan, if implemented, could disrupt an industry worth $8 billion (roughly Rs. 71,464 crore) to $10 billion (roughly Rs. 84,070 crore) and reshape the dynamics of the IT hardware market in India, which is heavily reliant on imports.

A similar plan to restrict imports was withdrawn last year following backlash from companies and lobbying from the United States. India has since monitored imports under a system set to expire this year and has asked firms to seek fresh approvals for imports next year.

The government feels it has given the industry enough time to adapt, said the sources, who did not want to be identified as discussions are private.

One of the sources said New Delhi will begin consultations with all sides starting next week. It could delay implementing the import restrictions by a few months if needed, the source added.

India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is working on a new import authorisation system, where companies will have to get prior approvals for their imports, one of the two sources said.

Under the current regime, laptop importers are free to bring in as many devices after an automated online registration.

The industry is dominated by the likes of HP, Dell, Apple, Lenovo, and Samsung, with two-thirds of Indian demand being currently met through imports, a significant amount from China. India’s IT hardware market, including laptops, is estimated at nearly $20 billion (roughly Rs. 1,68,141 crore), of which $5 billion (roughly Rs. 42,035 crore) is domestic production, according to consultancy Mordor Intelligence.

The government is considering minimum quality standards under its ‘compulsory registration order’ for laptops, notebooks and tablets, as one of the ways to weed out low quality devices, the officials said.

“We are working on such restrictions as global treaties stop us from any tariff action on laptops and tablets. It leaves us with few policy options to limit imports,” the second official said.

The federal electronics ministry did not respond to request for comment. The trade ministry said an appropriate decision on the import management system would be taken after consultation with the electronics ministry and other stakeholders.

Such a move will benefit contract manufacturers such as Dixon Technologies who have entered separate pacts with global firms like HP to make laptops and computers in India. Dixon aims to cater to 15 percent of India’s total demand.

Local Production

Limits to India’s imports should be calibrated based on India’s domestic production capacity, an industry source who is part of the government’s consultations said.

The nation’s key production incentive scheme for IT hardware has drawn participation from global firms including Acer, Dell, HP, and Lenovo. Most of the approved participants are ready to start manufacturing, India’s electronic minister said last year.

India has federal subsidies worth nearly $2.01 billion (roughly Rs. 17,655 crore) to promote domestic production.

Data from research firm Counterpoint shows imports of laptops completely assembled abroad in the first five months of 2024 fell four percent from a year earlier, with firms such as Lenovo and Acer increasing local assembly for entry-level laptops.

India has been long emphasised the need for “trusted sources” for electronics and communication devices amid growing concerns over cyberattacks and data theft.

In 2022, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India should cut reliance on foreign countries for communication technology such as servers.

India will implement mandatory testing of “essential security parameters” for all CCTV cameras from April 2025.

© Thomson Reuters 2024

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

India on Tuesday said companies will have to seek fresh approvals to import laptops and tablets starting from January 1, 2025 and guidelines to do so will be issued shortly.

The country launched an “import management system” in November 2023, which required companies to register with the government the quantity and value of their laptop and tablet imports.

The government said at the time the data would be used for monitoring imports. The system, due to expire this month, has been extended until year-end.

“Importers would be required to apply for fresh authorisations for the period from 01.01.2025 subject to detailed guidance to be provided shortly,” said a government notification issued on Tuesday.

India announced the new system for laptops, tablets, personal computers and servers after it rolled back an earlier plan to impose a licensing regime, requiring the likes of Apple, Dell and HP to obtain licences for shipments of imported laptops and tablets.

The laptop licensing policy, seen as a trade restriction, was reversed after criticism from industry and Washington.

The policy was part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to boost local manufacturing and ensure a trusted supply chain, as India remains reliant on imports for such electronics.

Reuters reported in March that India reversed the laptop licensing policy after lobbying by US officials who remained concerned about New Delhi’s compliance with WTO obligations and new rules it may issue.

“India’s repeated delay in implementing laptop import restrictions, likely influenced by US concerns, needs to end,” said Ajay Srivastava, founder of Global Trade Research Initiative, a Delhi-based basked think-tank.

India’s laptop and personal computer imports between April to July stood at $1.7 billion (roughly Rs. 14,212 crore), according to Indian government data.

Under a federal subsidy scheme for local production of laptops, tablets and personal computers, India last year approved applications from companies including Dell.

© Thomson Reuters 2024

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)