India Plans to Limit Laptop and Tablet Imports to Boost Domestic Manufacturing - Read Now

The Indian government has apparently proposed the imposition of import restrictions on laptops, tablets, and personal computers to stimulate local manufacturing by tech majors such as Apple. New import curbs could go into place from January 2025, according to Reuters, which quoted two government officials.

Currently, India operates an Import Management System (IMS) for IT hardware products, which has been extended till 31 December 2024. Companies need to get new authorizations on registering the quantities and values of import done if imports are after January 1, 2025. IMS was launched in November 2023. IMS had announced with the objective of monitoring imports with the intention of helping locals produce products and providing a safe supply chain. It comes at a time when the risk associated with cyberattacks and data theft has been popping up in media reports to force the government incessantly to promote "trusted sources" in electronics.

As part of the new import rules, the government is considering minimum quality standards in the compulsory registration order for laptops and tablets. "There are not too many options in policy because of global treaties which are an over-riding factor which prevents taking of any tariff action on these devices," said an official. Imports currently account for around two-thirds of India's IT hardware demand, with the majority coming from China, which is a giant in this market valued at nearly $20 billion.

The government remains open to consultation with industry stakeholders, but will delay the implementation of these restrictions if needed. It also reflects a wider strategy to shore up India's manufacturing capabilities in the face of growing quality concerns in the country's IT hardware market.