Negative List Licence Opened for One Year for Computers (IT Hardware) in Heading 8471, No More Licensing Barriers for “Made in India” Computers

· CRO Barrier for Brand and Model Approval Remains

DGFT Notifies Import Management System Procedure for Restricted IT Hardware for 2026

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has issued the procedure for implementation of the Import Management System (IMS) for the import of restricted IT hardware for the calendar year 2026. This follows earlier DGFT notifications issued in August and October 2023 that placed imports of certain IT hardware under the “Restricted” category, and the policy circular that governed IMS operations for 2025.

Under the 2026 framework, importers of laptops, tablets, all-in-one personal computers, ultra-small form factor computers, and servers classified under HSN 8471 must apply for import authorisation through the IMS portal on the DGFT website. The application window will remain open from 22 December 2025 to 15 December 2026, and any authorisation granted will be valid until 31 December 2026.

Importers are permitted to file multiple applications during the year, and requests for amendments can be submitted online during the validity of the authorisation. A mid-term review may be undertaken by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to provide updated inputs to DGFT, if required.

DGFT has also clarified that it retains the right to amend, modify, suspend, or withdraw the IMS procedures, either wholly or in part, at any time based on policy needs or government directions. The procedure has been issued with the approval of the competent authority.

[DGFT Policy Circular No. 08 /2025-26 dated 17 December, 2025]

Subject: Procedure for implementation of Import Management System for import of restricted IT Hardware (viz. Laptops, Tablets, All-in-one Personal Computers, Ultra small form factor computers and Servers under HSN 8471) for the calendar year 2026.

Attention is drawn to DGFT Notification No. 23/2023 dated 03rd August 2023, read with Notification No. 26/2023 dated 4th August 2023 and Notification No. 38/2023 dated 19th October 2023, whereby Import of IT Hardware (viz. Laptops, Tablets, All-i n-one Personal Computers, Ultra small form factor computers and Servers under HSN 8471) was 'Restricted'. Further, vide Policy Circular No. 09/2024-25 dated 1 1.12.2024 detailed procedure for implementation of the Import Management System for import of restricted lT Hardware, for the calendar year 2025, was put in place.

2. ln continuation of the above, the Import Management System for import of restricted IT Hardware, for the calendar year 2026, is as follows:

I. Importers shall apply in the Import Management System for Import Authorization on the DGFT Website.

II. The application portal will be open from 22.12.2025 to 15.12.2026.

III. Any Authorization issued for the import of restricted IT Hardware under IMS shall be valid till 31.12.2026.

IV. An importer is allowed to submit multiple applications in a year.

V. Any request for amendment arising during the validity of the Authorization may be submitted on the DGFT website.

VI. Based on the need, a mid-term review may be undertaken by MeitY to provide updated inputs on the IMS to DGFT.

VII. DGFT reserves the rights to amend, modify, suspend or withdraw the above procedures, in whole or in part, at any time based on policy requirements or directions of the Government.

This is issued with the approval of the Competent Authority.

(Issued from F.No. 01/89/180/39/AM- 13/PC-2[A]/E-2261)