The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) of India has provided clarification on changes to the import policy conditions for IT hardware. This clarification follows Notification No. 23/2023 issued on August 3, 2023, and Notification 38/2023 issued on October 19, 2023. The latest Policy Circular No. 6/2023-24, also issued on October 19, 2023, outlines the following key points:
1. Units in Special Economic Zones (SEZ) and EOUs/EHTP/STPI/BTP are exempt from obtaining a “restricted import authorization” for importing IT hardware restricted by Notification 23/2023, provided it’s for captive consumption.
2. Spares, parts, assemblies, sub-assemblies, components, and necessary inputs for IT hardware specified in Notification 23/2023 face no import restrictions.
3. Essential capital goods, such as laptops/tablets accompanying MRI machines, are exempt from import licensing requirements, excluding primary capital goods.
4. Importers can apply for multiple authorizations valid until September 30, 2024, and can amend the quantity mentioned on the Import Authorization on the DGFT website without changing the overall value of the Authorization.