India bans import of air conditioners with refrigerants

The government has banned the import of air conditioners with refrigerants in what could be a big blow to China. The move is aimed at providing a big boost to domestic production. A notification was issued by the Director-General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) late on Thursday, banning the import of split AC system and other air conditioners with refrigerants. All of them have been moved from “free” to “prohibited” category. The country had earlier put the import of television sets under a restricted list and had asked importers to seek licenses from the DGFT.

It is said that the domestic market of air conditioners in India is huge, believed to be around $5-6 billion. The government, however, wants local manufacturers to step up production and sale, in line with its Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission.  Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), has recommended anti-dumping duty of five years on Choline Chloride imports from China, Malaysia and Vietnam, after a flurry of complaints by domestic manufacturers. India had in August introduced an import embargo on more than 100 items to boost indigenisation of defence production in the country. Some items like artillery guns, light combat helicopters, assault rifles, corvettes and radars are few which will no longer be imported from foreign countries. In the April-August period, Indian imports from China have declined over 27 per cent to $21.58 billion as compared to the corresponding period in the previous year.