Mobile handset import duty may be kept at 20% in budget
The government is unlikely to increase the basic customs duty on the import of mobile handsets from 20 percent in the upcoming budget, according to official sources. No proposal was under consideration to increase duty, said the sources.
The import of mobile phones (push button types) decreased to $400 million in 2018-19 from $935 million in 2019-18. Smartphone imports have also fallen from $2,602 million in 2017-18 to $1,216 million in 2018-19.
The production of mobile handsets has gone up from Rs 18,900 crore (six crore units) in 2014-15 to Rs 1,70,000 crore (29 crore units) in 2018-19, as per the commerce ministry figures.
