Laptops,Tablets Importers To Seek Fresh Authorisation For 2025

The directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT) in a public notice has reportedly asked importers of certain IT hardware products, including laptops and tablets to seek fresh authorisation for next year. 

The application window to seek authorisation will open on December 13 and importers can submit multiple applications, reported ET. 

Further, any authorisation issued for the imports of these restricted goods import management system (IMS) will be valid till December 31, 2025.

The foreign trade body also notified the IMS for import of restricted IT hardware for the next year. 

The latest notice came after DGFT in September extended the existing import authorisation regime for certain IT hardware products including PCs, tablets and servers till December 2024. 

The directorate also notified in the circular that importers will be mandated to apply for fresh authorisations starting January 1, 2025. 

In October last year DGFT imposed restrictions on the import of seven IT hardware items including servers, computers, and data processing machines. Later on, after industry outcry, the government allowed companies to import such items but after applying for government authorisation to import these products. 

Eventually, industry bodies protested the move saying the new regime was slowing down the process of imports. Meanwhile, the Centre stayed put on its stance and cited national security concerns for the move. 

Notably, imports of the IT hardware products appear to have taken a hit since the implementation of the regime in October 2023. As per reports, the imports of these products declined 3.4% year-on-year (YoY) to $8.4 Bn between October 2023 and March 2024. 

However, despite a decline overall, the imports of the seven IT hardware products from China stayed flat YoY at $5 Bn during the same period too and accounted for 58%-60% of total imports.