Import Authorisation Mandated as Restricted IT Hardware Remains Under IMS for 2026

Directorate General of Foreign Trade issued Policy Circular No. 08/2025-26 on December 17, 2025, prescribing the procedure for implementing the Import Management System (IMS) for the import of restricted IT hardware during the calendar year 2026. The circular follows earlier notifications that classified imports of laptops, tablets, all-in-one PCs, ultra-small form factor computers, and servers under HSN 8471 as “restricted.” For 2026, importers are required to apply online through the DGFT portal for import authorisation under the IMS. The application window will remain open from December 22, 2025, to December 15, 2026, and any authorisation granted will be valid until December 31, 2026. Importers may submit multiple applications in a year and seek amendments online during the validity period. The circular also provides for a possible mid-term review by MeitY and reserves DGFT’s power to amend, modify, suspend, or withdraw the procedure based on policy requirements or government directions.

Government of India
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Department of Commerce
Directorate General of Foreign Trade
Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi

Policy Circular No. 08/2025-26-DGFT | Dated: 17^th December, 2025

To,
1. All Customs Commissionerate (s)
2. Members of Trade & Industry

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 – reg.

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-in-one Personal Computers, Ultra small form factor computers and Servers under HSN 8471) was ‘Restricted’. Further, vide Policy Circular No. 09/2024-25 dated 11.12.2024 detailed procedure for implementation of the Import Management System for import of restricted IT Hardware, for the calendar year 2025, was put in place.

2. In 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.

Raman Kumar
Deputy Director General of Foreign Trade
E-mail: raman.kumar@nic.in

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