The government has prohibited imports of second-hand or refurbished electronics and IT goods without registration with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Under the Electronics and IT Goods (Requirement of Compulsory Registration) order 2012, imports of these goods are allowed through the registration with the BIS or on specific exemption letter from the ministry of IT and electronics (MeitY).
The govt further said without the registration and compliance with BIS labelling requirements, the imported goods will be re-exported by the importer, otherwise the customs authorities will deform those products and dispose of them as scrap. In last financial year (FY19) the India’s electronics imports has increased to $55.6 billion from $51.5 billion in FY18.
The directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT) has said the imports of goods (new as well as second hand, whether or not refurbished, repaired or re-conditioned) is prohibited unless they are registered with BIS and comply to the labelling requirements published by BIS, as amended from time to time, or on specific exemption letter from MeitY for a particular consignment.