Import ban helps Indian Telivision makers

Delhi: The ban by Centre on the duty free import of The ban by Centre on the duty free import of LED, LCD TVs  by international air travellers has helped Indian TV makerss  by international air travellers is expected to be a boon for the domestic manufacturers.  The domestic consumer durable companies are expecting 50 per cent increase in sales of large flat panel television sets in 2014.

“It has resulted in a very good growth in the large screen segment. Market this year is expected to grow by more than 50 per cent in this segment which is 14 inch and above. The market size is estimated to be 1.2 million in the large screen segment for 2014,” said a senior executive from a Multi National Companies consumer durable company.

The government disallowed import of flat panel (LCD/LED/Plasma) television as part of free baggage allowance with effect from August 26, 2013. There is no duty on goods up to Rs 35,000. The customers bringing flat panel television sets now have to pay 36.05 per cent in various duties.

This step was taken as many countries including Thailand offers duty concessions to the international travellers buying electronics from their domestic markets.

According to reports television sets in such countries are cheaper by upto 50 per cent.

Many Multi national companies (MNC) consumer durable firms were complaining about import of such television sets into the country. Many MNCs were not honouring international warranties on television sets which were brought into India by travellers. Others had said that such customers will have to pay for defective components even if such television sets were still under warranty periods.