Government delays import licence requirement for laptops, tablets till Nov 1

The Centre on Friday decided to delay the implementation of the licensing requirement for imports of laptops, tablets, and personal computers further till November 1, 2023.

This came hours after a Reuters report stated that the government had pushed the order by at least a month.

On Thursday, the government announced that a licensing requirement for importing laptops, tablets, and personal computers would be imposed with immediate effect. However, the decision has been reconsidered, and the implementation has been postponed to allow more time for stakeholders to adapt to the new regulations.

As per the notification issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on Friday, import consignments can be cleared till October 31, 2023, without a licence for restricted imports.

After November 1, a valid licence for restricted imports would be required for import of such items.

Deputy IT Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar said there will be a transition period for new norms related to imports of laptops and tablets to be put into effect. He said the exact date would be notified soon.

The licensing requirement was introduced as part of measures to address various trade-related concerns.

However, its immediate implementation raised concerns among businesses, particularly in the technology sector, where imports of laptops and tablets play a crucial role in meeting consumer demands.

The decision to delay the licensing requirement provides a window of opportunity for industry players to engage with the government, express their concerns, and explore possible alternatives to ensure a smooth transition.