TVs may get cheaper as govt scraps import duty on open cell panels

After heavy lobbying by television (TV) manufacturers, the government has removed import duty on open cell panels and their key components. The move may allow TV manufacturers to cut prices by up to 3.5 per cent ahead of festive season.

The Ministry of Finance, in a gazette notification, said customs duty on “open cell (15.6 inch and above) for use in the manufacture of liquid crystal display (LCD) and light emitting diode (LED) TV panels” has been reduced to nil.

Duty on key components used in the making of open cell panels such as chip on film and printed circuit board assembly has also been removed. In June 2017, the government had imposed a 5 per cent customs duty on these items.