With the new year comes a slight policy shift for laptop and tablet imports. The centre will be more liberal in 2025, with a 5% annual reduction to promote local manufacturing.
The Indian government has adopted a liberal stance on laptop and tablet imports for 2025, allowing approvals for the entire year, according to a recent report by the Economic Times. Citing industry sources, the report confirmed that a mid-year review will be conducted to adjust import levels and prevent market shortages, however.
The government is planning a gradual shift towards local manufacturing, with an expected 5% reduction in imports each year, to be substituted by domestic production. This change will be formalised by the second half of 2025, when all laptop and tablet brands are expected to begin manufacturing locally.
Furthermore, to manage the transition, a consensus between the government and industry stakeholders on the base year for calculating the shift is anticipated.
The mid-year review will also determine the balance between imports and local production, and additional import approvals may be issued if demand exceeds current supply. Conversely, production targets may be adjusted if local demand remains low.
This policy shift follows a year of evolving import regulations. Originally, the government planned to impose restrictions on IT hardware imports starting in 2024, but after facing opposition from global tech giants, it decided to delay these measures. While free imports were allowed, a licensing regime for import controls was deferred. Nonetheless, brands still required import authorisation as the government aimed to monitor imports and incentivise local production.
The report described the Centre’s approach as a “carrot-and-stick” policy, providing ample time for companies to transition to domestic manufacturing.
As of January 1, 2025, new import authorisations will be required, with further instructions from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade to be issued shortly.
