The Union government is likely to extend the import permission regime for laptops and PCs beyond December 31, sources told CNBC-TV18 on December 31. As the industry awaits clarity on manufacturing and import of laptops and PCs, the commerce ministry is expected to issue a notification soon to announce the extension, they added.

“The government is not looking to cause any disruption, no disruption has been caused so far by the import clearance system,” sources said.

The government had canceled the import restrictions in early August and replaced them with an “import authorization” in August 2023 to monitor imports. The import authorization regime for laptops and PCs was extended until December 31 in September this year.

In August 2023, the government had initially imposed import licenses for these products, but later relaxed the rules, allowing importers to obtain authorization instead.

India launched the “import management system” in November 2023which required companies to register with the government the quantity and value of their imports of laptops and tablets.

The government said at the time that the data would be used to monitor imports. “Importers would be required to apply for fresh permissions for the period commencing 01.01.2025, subject to detailed guidelines to be provided shortly,” said a government notification issued in September.

Likely extension of import authorization comes days after US president’s election Donald Trump warned BRICS countries with 100% tariffs if they try to undermine the US dollar. He sought commitment from the nine-member group comprising India, Russia, China and Brazil.

BRICS, created in 2009, is the only major international group of which the United States is not a part. Its other members are South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates. In recent years, some of its member countries, notably Russia and China, have sought an alternative to the US dollar or created their own BRICS currency. India has so far not participated in this process.

Last week, Trump warned BRICS countries against such a move. “We demand that these countries commit not to create a new BRICS currency, nor support another currency to replace the powerful US dollar, otherwise they will face 100% tariffs and should expect to say goodbye to selling in the wonderful American economy,” Trump warned.