Can Used Laptop/Computer be imported? - R R Padmanabhan, Director - Exim Academy

 Can Used Laptop/Computer be imported?

Every now and then, I get calls from people saying that they have been advised by the courier companies to find Customs agent to clear their laptops.  People are taken aback by the advice of the courier companies as it was in their contract to deliver the laptop to their premises.  But Courier companies shy away from clearance. Then consignees start looking around for people who would do customs clearance part.  Why these courier companies advise to get the laptop customs cleared by consignees?  Because, in terms of Foreign Trade Policy, import of used laptops is restricted for imports.  It means one has to obtain a valid licence from the Government.  Approaching the Government for a single laptop is not worthy and you may not even succeed.  Of course, there are exception to this rule, but we will dwell in to it in another post.  The said policy is reproduced below:

Import Policy for Second Hand Goods:

2.31 Second Hand Goods

S.No. Categories of Second Import Conditions, if any Hand Goods Policy

I Second Hand Capital Goods

 

i. Desktop Computers,

ii. Refurbished/re-conditioned spares of re-furbished parts of Personal Computers/ Laptops

iii. Air conditioners
iv. Diesel generating sets.

Restricted

Importable against Authorization

 

So, what happens when you import a restricted category?  It becomes an offence in terms of Section 111(d) of the Customs Act and liable to penalty in terms of Section 112(ii).  Such penalty may be either Rs.5000 or value of the goods. There is double whammy now.  Matter does not end.  Since consignee is always an individual, he may not have Import Export Code no (Courier shipments do not require under normal circumstance).  But now, since the transaction becomes a regular import, the absence of IE code needs to adjudicated with a nominal fine.  Of course, all these would require paper work and time.  This would entail demurrage for clearance from customs custody.

 

So, think before you seek to import Used Laptops/Computers!



R R Padmanabhan,
Director - Exim Academy





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