Major technology giants including Apple Inc., Samsung Electronics Co., and HP Inc. have taken the decision to halt new imports of laptops and tablets to India in response to the unexpected ban by Indian regulators on inbound shipments of these electronics without a requisite license, US-based outlet Bloomberg reported on Friday.The regulatory decision, announced on Thursday, came as a surprise to some of the largest PC manufacturers in the world. The new rule mandates licenses for the import of various electronics, ranging from small tablets to all-in-one PCs. While the industry had been anticipating certain government measures to promote local production and reduce import dependence, the sudden imposition of licensing has caught many companies off-guard.The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), an entity under Indias Commerce and Industry Ministry that oversees imports and exports, released a notification outlining the specifics of the new regulation. “Import of laptops, tablets, all-in-one personal computers, and ultra-small form factor computers, servers…is Restricted with immediate effect,” the DGFT notification said.Laptop companies negotiate to obtain licenses as Diwali, school seasons loomTechnology companies are now actively engaging with the Indian government to navigate the process of obtaining licenses swiftly. This is particularly important given the upcoming Diwali shopping season and the back-to-school period when consumer interest peaks.While the timeline for Apple, Samsung, and HP to acquire licenses remains uncertain, the current pause is already disrupting a significant multi-billion dollar trade in foreign-made PCs, a disruption that comes at a crucial juncture.The introduction of this requirement adds complexity for manufacturers who are already dealing with an excess of inventory globally and limited triggers for restarting sales growth. This move could potentially lead to delayed product launches in India or even shortages, impacting a market that still heavily relies on imports for its PC supply.This import restriction adds to existing measures aimed at discouraging the import of foreign electronics and aligns with the countrys broader Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) goals of establishing a robust and world-class technology manufacturing industry.Prime Minister Narendra Modis administration is currently inviting applications for a US$2.1 billion (about ₹17,400 crore) financial incentive program designed to attract laptop, tablet, semiconductors, and other hardware manufacturers to the country, as companies seek to diversify their supply chains beyond China.
