Reuters claims that 1,080 applications to BIS for laptops, tablets and other devices were pending, with 669 of those waiting more than 20 days
According to Reuter’s exclusive report, components, and devices from companies such as Apple and Xiaomi that are manufactured and assembled in China are facing an import delay of over two months.
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic tensions escalated between China and India and due to the border tussle for a couple of months the trade relations have been severely affected. Hence, India issued tight clearances for the products coming from China. As of now, most of these items are being held at the quality control level. This tight clearance ultimately slowed down the import of the iPhone 12 in India.
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the quality control agency in India is now delaying the clearance process of two months, which earlier done in just 15 days. The delayed process was started by the agency back in August this year because of a border dispute between India and China. The delayed imports comprises of mobiles, smartwatches, laptops, and other electronic goods. Even, Xiaomi and Oppo smartwatches have been given no clearance by BIS.
An unnamed person said to Reuters, “While the BIS is delaying approvals for products like smartwatches, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology is pushing companies to make these devices in India.”
Because of the delay, Apple executives pleaded to BIS to speed up the clearance process along with an assurance that it will completely reduce its dependence on Chinese imports and will enhance its assembly operations in India.
Reuters claims that 1,080 applications to BIS for laptops, tablets and other devices were pending, with 669 of those waiting more than 20 days.
