(Image source from: Reuters.com)

With immediate effect, the Union government has restricted the imports of personal computers, laptops, palmtops, automatic data processing machines, microcomputers/ processors and large/mainframe computers.

The central government claims that this is a move to boost domestic manufacturers. 75 per cent of electronic laptops and data storage systems are mainly from China, that is $5.33 billion market in imports of laptops and personal computers, that too only in the year 2022-23. Many computers are manufactured or assembled in China, and with this immediate ban, China will be the most affected.

However, laptops and other items will not have any restrictions on any imports under the baggage rules. HSN code 8771 (Harmonised System of Nomenclature) is the globally accepted method of imports of computers, which will be stopped immediately. Anyone who brings new stock to India needs to have a ‘valid licence of restricted imports’, if you are planning to sell the stock.

Consumers should get a special license to bring laptops including Apple Macbook into India. This will hike the prices of the imported stock. Not only Apple, even Lenovo, HP, Asus, Acer, Samsung and others will face the same rules.