Government's restriction on importing laptops and PCs, set to take effect from November 1, disregarding pleas from manufacturers.
The Indian government has affirmed it will not delay the forthcoming restrictions imposed on the import of laptops, personal computers, and tablets, with the regulations set to take effect from November 1, 2023. These measures entail mandatory acquirement of licenses for mass imports of these devices.
In a discourse with Rajeev Chandrashekhar, Minister of State for the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), leading industry players requested an extension of the transitional phase by approximately six to twelve months. However, the government has maintained its resolve to enforce the imposed measures.
Alkesh Kumar Sharma, MeitY's secretary, voiced satisfaction with the fruitful response garnered by the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) initiative designed to escalate large-scale electronics production. Consequently, he asserted that there is no justifiable reason for extending the transitional period for these corporations to commence domestic manufacturing. Sharma further elaborated, "We have received 58 registrations from an assortment of participants, encompassing large and small entities, as well as both domestic and international stakeholders. With the application window for the scheme open until August 30, 2023, we anticipate further participation."
Initially, on August 4, the government unexpectedly announced import restrictions on personal computers, laptops, and tablets. After escalating uproar, however, the authorities decided to postpone the implementation of these restrictions until November 1. During their interaction with Minister Chandrasekhar, prominent laptop manufacturers, including Dell, Acer, Samsung, Panasonic, Apple, Lenovo, and HP, expressed their concerns regarding the decision's implementation and the challenges associated with obtaining the necessary licenses.
Constraints on the import of specific electronic items are due to take effect from November 1, 2023, despite industry appeals for an extension of the transition phase. Notably, there have been significant surges in GPU imports to Malaysia, with a 3,400% increase in 2025 compared to 2023, which has heightened concerns about potential rerouting to China despite U.S. restrictions[1][2][4]. Additionally, the U.S. has recently lifted full export restrictions on AI chips to Malaysia, allowing limited access to these technologies[3], indicating a more liberal regulatory environment conducive to technological development. However, it remains to be seen whether Malaysia will tighten its semiconductor regulations in response to U.S. pressure, aiming to prevent the transfer of advanced AI chips to China[4].
- In light of the forthcoming import restrictions on tablets, laptops, and personal computers, set to commence on November 1, 2023, concerns have been raised by industry players, such as Dell, Acer, Samsung, Panasonic, Apple, Lenovo, and HP, over the challenges associated with obtaining necessary licenses and the implications of these measures.
- With the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) initiative successfully attracting 58 registrations from various entities, including those in the technology sector like domestic and international manufacturers, MeitY's secretary Alkesh Kumar Sharma sees no compelling reasons to extend the transitional phase for these corporations to commence domestic manufacturing, despite industry appeals to do so.
