Government bans import of CDMA mobile handsets without unique numbers

The government has banned the import of CDMA mobile phones without the unique electronic serial number and mobile equipment identifier, in bid to track users of such phones. 

"Import of mobile handsets (classified under ITC (HS) Code 8517) without international mobile equipment identity (IMEI) number or with all zeroes IMEI is prohibited with immediate effect," director general of foreign trade (DGFT) said in an official release.

"Import of 'CDMA mobile phones' (classified under ITC (HS) code '8517' ) without electronic serial number (ESN) / mobile equipment identifier (MEID) or with all zeroes as ESN / MEID is prohibited with immediate effect," the release added.

The central government has suitably amended Schedule-I of the ITC (HS) classification of export and import items, the release said.

DGFT said this has been done in exercise of powers conferred by section 5, read with section 3(2) of the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992, and the Foreign Trade Policy - 2009-2014.

There are an estimated 100 million CDMA users in the country and the number is growing by 5.8 million every year. India imports most of the CDMA phones from China and Thailand.

The unique numbers are displayed below the battery or on the back of the mobile handset.

These numbers are used for identification of mobile equipment and to identify and track down users of such phones.