Samsung India gets TV import license, can now retrieve 1 lakh TVs stuck in ports

KOLKATA: Samsung, India's largest television brand by market share, has received the import license from the government for televisions which will enable it to clear almost one lakh units of LED TV which were stuck in Indian ports.

Two senior industry executives said the import license, just ahead of the crucial Diwali festive shopping period, will help the Korean giant to bolster its inventory level in retail stores many of whom had no stock of Samsung TV.

Samsung TVs, mostly 55 inch and above including flagship models like QLED and other lifestyle televisions such as Frame and Serif were stuck at various ports across the country in absence of the import license.

The government had put television sets on the restricted list of imports for the first time in 20 years on July 30. This is part of the government’s self-reliant or ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ vision and to discourage imports from China with whom relations have soured due to border tensions earlier this year. As a result, manufacturers will have to seek import licenses.

Samsung has been importing its televisions mostly from Vietnam though it has last month written to the government that it would restart its TV plant in Chennai by December and had sought import license to ensure that it can continue import till then and boost its supply chain for the festive season.

There has been a shortage of TV supplies in October as the government did not grant any subsequent import license to companies like Samsung. It had earlier provided one license which had then allowed Samsung to clear around 50,000 units.

An email sent to Samsung India remained unanswered till filing of the story. ET will update the story once Samsung responds.