According to the central government, the import of these products will be permitted with a current Licence for Restricted Imports.

The import of laptops, tablets, and personal computers with the HSN code 8471 has been immediately prohibited, according to a notice from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).

According to the notification, “Import of laptops, tablets, all-in-one personal computers, and ultra-small form factor computers and servers under HSN code 8741 will be ‘prohibited,’ and their import will be allowed only against a valid license.” The frequently revised luggage rules do not apply to imports, according to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

The notification further specifies that one laptop, tablet, all-in-one computer, or ultra-small form factor computer that satisfies the import license requirements, as well as laptops purchased through online shopping portals, will be excluded from import restrictions.

Additionally, the government made it clear that imports would require payment of any applicable customs taxes. Additionally, a 20-item list of licensing exemptions for product development, repair and re-export, and Research and Development (R&D) benchmarking will be made available.

“Import will be permitted under the condition that the imported items are used solely for the stated purposes and are not further sold,” the Ministry declared. Products may either be destroyed or exported again once they have served their intended purposes.

The Ministry was explicit that, for the repair and return of these items, no license would be required.

Tablets, laptops, desktop computers, ultra-small form factor PCs, and servers—essential components of capital goods—will not be subject to import license procedures, according to the notice.

In conclusion, the Indian government has set a ban on certain computer products with the HSN code 8471 being imported right now. However, imports covered by the baggage regulations would not be impacted and there are exclusions for specific commodities under HSN code 8741. Products used for R&D, repair, and re-export will be exempt from the restriction, and a specified list of 20 goods will not be subject to licensing requirements. The exempted commodities must only be used for those reasons and not be sold further; importers are responsible for paying any applicable customs charges. For the repair and return of certain items, importers won’t need a license.