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Electronics and solar

Import laptops, tablets and computers

No basic customs duty, 18% IGST — but laptops and tablets are “Restricted” and need an online authorisation under DGFT’s Import Management System.

Restricted — authorisation neededHS 8471.30
Basic customs duty
Nil
Free (nil)
Social welfare surcharge
Nil
IGST
18%
18%
India’s imports, 2025-26
US$ 6.73 bn
from 41 countries

The CBIC tariff shows “Free” for 8471 30 10 and 8471 30 90. IGST is 18% (Schedule II entry for 8471, Notification 9/2025-Integrated Tax (Rate)). Accessories shipped with the laptop, such as chargers and batteries, may be classified and assessed separately — check on ICEGATE. CBIC — Customs Tariff (as on 30.06.2025), import tariff by chapter ↗

What is imported

Laptops, tablets, all-in-one PCs, ultra-small computers and servers are imported by brands, distributors and large buyers. Duty is low because India has bound these goods at zero under the WTO Information Technology Agreement. Since November 2023, however, they have been under an Import Management System run by DGFT with MeitY.

Import policy · Restricted — authorisation needed

Laptops, tablets, all-in-one PCs, ultra-small form factor computers and servers under 8471 are “Restricted” (DGFT Notifications 23/2023, 26/2023 and 38/2023). Import is allowed against an online authorisation under the Import Management System. For calendar year 2026, DGFT Policy Circular 08/2025-26 of 17 December 2025 sets the procedure. Check DGFT for the procedure that applies from 1 January 2027.

Licences and registrations you need

  • DGFT (Import Management System)Apply online on the DGFT portal for an import authorisation before shipping. The 2026 authorisations are valid to 31 December 2026 under Circular 08/2025-26.dgft.gov.in ↗
  • BIS (CRS)Laptops, notebooks and tablets are under the Compulsory Registration Scheme (IS 13252 Part 1). The model must be registered and marked, and so must its adaptor and battery.crsbis.in ↗
  • DoT / WPC (Equipment Type Approval)Devices with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth need Equipment Type Approval from WPC, applied for on the Saral Sanchar portal.saralsanchar.gov.in ↗
  • CPCB (E-Waste Rules, 2022)IT equipment is covered. Importers register as producers on CPCB’s e-waste EPR portal.eprewastecpcb.in ↗

What is checked at the port

  • A valid IMS authorisation covering the quantity and value on the bill of entry.
  • BIS registration and mark for the laptop, adaptor and battery.
  • Whether the goods are new — used and refurbished computers face e-waste and other restrictions.

Practical tips

  • Apply for the IMS authorisation as soon as the supplier confirms the order; do not let goods leave the factory without it.
  • For a few units for your own office, a personal or sample import may follow different rules — read the DGFT notifications for the exemptions.

Where new importers go wrong

  • Shipping in December on a 2026 authorisation that expires on 31 December, with the goods arriving in January.
  • Importing used or refurbished laptops as if they were new.
  • Forgetting WPC approval for the wireless module.
Sources (8)
  1. CBIC — Customs Tariff (as on 30.06.2025), import tariff by chapter
  2. CBIC — Notification 9/2025-Integrated Tax (Rate) dated 17.09.2025
  3. DGFT — Policy circulars (incl. Circular 08/2025-26 on IT hardware imports)
  4. DGFT — ITC(HS) import policy search
  5. BIS — Compulsory Registration Scheme portal
  6. Department of Telecommunications — Saral Sanchar (WPC Equipment Type Approval)
  7. CPCB — EPR portal for e-waste
  8. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology

Import data

Where India buys laptops, tablets and computers

India’s imports from the Department of Commerce’s TradeStat, country by country. US$, financial years.

Imports, 2025-26
US$ 6.73 bn
Change from 2024-25
+9.7%
Supplying countries
41
Biggest supplier
China
72%
China: US$ 4.83 bnSingapore: US$ 683 mnHong Kong: US$ 382 mnIreland: US$ 334 mnVietnam: US$ 288 mnThailand: US$ 83.9 mnMalaysia: US$ 50.8 mnTaiwan: US$ 46 mnUnited States of America: US$ 7.8 mnJapan: US$ 4.7 mnSouth Korea: US$ 4.2 mnGermany: US$ 2.4 mnRomania: US$ 1.9 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 1.3 mnDenmark: US$ 1.3 mnChina: US$ 4.83 bnChinaSingapore: US$ 683 mnSingaporeHong Kong: US$ 382 mnHong KongIreland: US$ 334 mnIrelandVietnam: US$ 288 mnVietnamThailand: US$ 83.9 mnMalaysia: US$ 50.8 mnTaiwan: US$ 46 mnUnited States of America: US$ 7.8 mnUnited States of AmericaJapan: US$ 4.7 mnSouth Korea: US$ 4.2 mnGermany: US$ 2.4 mnRomania: US$ 1.9 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 1.3 mnDenmark: US$ 1.3 mnIndia
Where India imports laptops, tablets and computers from — among our 80 countries, 2025-26
2020-21: US$ 5.24 bn5.2k2020-212021-22: US$ 7.95 bn8.0k2021-222022-23: US$ 5.89 bn5.9k2022-232023-24: US$ 5.45 bn5.4k2023-242024-25: US$ 6.13 bn6.1k2024-252025-26: US$ 6.73 bn6.7k2025-26
India’s laptops, tablets and computers imports · US$ million

Biggest supplying countries

Name2025-26Change
1ChinaUS$ 4.83 bn-1.4%
2SingaporeUS$ 683 mn+49.4%
3Hong KongUS$ 382 mn-11.4%
4IrelandUS$ 334 mn+20,616.1%
5VietnamUS$ 288 mn+47.3%
6ThailandUS$ 83.9 mn+8,820.2%
7MalaysiaUS$ 50.8 mn+18.3%
8TaiwanUS$ 46 mn-33.7%
9United States of AmericaUS$ 7.8 mn-14.4%
10JapanUS$ 4.7 mn-21.3%
11South KoreaUS$ 4.2 mn+81.4%
12GermanyUS$ 2.4 mn+10.6%

Which sources are growing and shrinking

Growing sources

  1. IrelandUS$ 1.6 mn → US$ 334 mn+20,616.1%
  2. ThailandUS$ 940k → US$ 83.9 mn+8,820.2%
  3. SingaporeUS$ 457 mn → US$ 683 mn+49.4%
  4. VietnamUS$ 195 mn → US$ 288 mn+47.3%

Shrinking sources

  1. TaiwanUS$ 69.4 mn → US$ 46 mn-33.7%
  2. Hong KongUS$ 431 mn → US$ 382 mn-11.4%

Which forms come in, and at what price

Imports by 8-digit tariff line, 2025-26. Average price = total value ÷ total quantity.

Tariff lineValue 2025-26ChangeQuantityAverage price
Personal computer (laptop,palmtop,etc.)8471 30 10US$ 6.2 bn+12.3%11.2 mn piecesUS$ 552.59 per piece
Other dgtl automatc data-procesng machine weghng <=10kg with a keybo...8471 30 90US$ 523 mn-13.7%1.8 mn piecesUS$ 298.45 per piece

Source: TradeStat — Export Import Data Bank, Department of Commerce · Figures taken 29 October 2026.

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