The recent announcement in Notification No. 23/2023 on August 3, 2023, by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) is a big deal. It says that starting now, you can’t just import laptops, tablets, palmtops, all-in-one computers, small computers, and servers easily anymore. You’ll need a special permit to do that. They did this for two main reasons: to make things more secure and to follow global trade rules set by the World Trade Organization (WTO). But there’s another reason too – to boost Indian manufacturing through the ‘Make in India’ initiative and lessen our reliance on things made in other countries, especially China. This is meant to encourage companies that make these things to join the ‘Production-Linked Incentive’ program.
- Big companies like Dell, Acer, Samsung, LG, Apple, Lenovo, and HP might feel the effects of this change quite a bit.
- The first thing that might happen is that there won’t be enough of these products available, and the prices might go up temporarily.
- That’s because many of these things are usually brought in from countries like China and Vietnam.
- It’s important to know that this rule applies to imports from any country, not just one. But there are a few exceptions.
For example, you can still bring in one laptop, tablet, all-in-one computer, or small computer using online shopping and delivery. Also, if these gadgets are part of bigger machines used for business, they might get a pass. But it’s not about these gadgets being important by themselves; it’s when they’re a piece of a bigger machine that matters. Like, a server being part of a whole system in a software company.
- To help with research, testing, fixing stuff, and developing new products, there’s a rule that you don’t need a special permit to bring in up to 20 items at once.
- And if something gets fixed abroad and comes back, you don’t need a special permit for that either, as long as it’s according to the rules of the Foreign Trade Policy.
- But there’s a problem. They haven’t really explained how to apply for the permit yet, or how it will work.
- So, right now, no one can apply for it, and the DGFT or Customs Department can’t give out any permits until they figure out the steps.
- They also thought about things that were already on their way when this rule came out.
- If there’s a bill saying the stuff is coming or if money was sent for it before August 3, those things won’t be affected by the new rule.
- However, for many imports between company branches, this might not apply.
For instance, if Dell India buys from Dell China and the stuff is on its way but the bill isn’t made yet, it might be stuck because of this new rule.
This announcement was quite unexpected and stirred up the industry. It could have a big impact on businesses and regular people who use these products. Because of this, it’s a good idea for the Ministry of Commerce to look at it again soon and maybe make some changes. This will help make sure that businesses can keep running smoothly and that people can still get the things they need.
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