The Customs department has seized 4,600 used laptops and over 1,000 computer parts of various brands, valued at ₹ 4.11 crore, in Nhava Sheva, an official reported on Monday.
Acting on a tip-off, the Special Intelligence and Investigation Branch ( SIIB ) (Import) at Jawaharlal Nehru Custom House ( JNCH ) confiscated the electronics from a consignment originating from the UAE.
The seized items included laptops and 1,546 CPUs, imported from the UAE by a supplier based in Hong Kong. The importation of such goods without proper authorization is restricted under the Directorate General of Foreign Trade ( DGFT ) policy.
In January, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade ( DGFT ) had stated explicitly that there are no limitations on the import of Desktop Computers under Tariff head 8471, in contrast to laptops, tablets, all-in-one personal computers, and similar devices.
This information has been communicated through Circular No. 09/2024 dated January 12, 2024. The clarification is subsequent to the 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 and in continuation to Policy circular no. 6/2023- 24 dated 19.10.2023 where the import of certain specified IT Hardware was ‘Restricted’. However, it is now clarified that desktop computers can be imported freely.
The official noted that the used laptops were smuggled by falsely declaring them as motherboard casings through the Inland Container Depot ( ICD ) in Patparganj, Delhi.
SIIB officials also conducted simultaneous searches in Mumbai and Delhi, leading to the arrest of the mastermind and proprietor of the importing firm.
Additionally, ₹ 27.37 lakh in cash, deemed proceeds from the sale of smuggled goods, was recovered from the importer’s premises. A swift investigation revealed two similar shipments at Delhi Air Cargo Customs containing used laptops, and further investigation is ongoing.
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