If you are planning to buy 1,000 finished LED TVs from Shenzhen and ship them to Nhava Sheva, stop immediately. You are walking into a regulatory trap.
To boost domestic manufacturing (Make in India), the Indian government has placed Color Televisions on the "Restricted List". This means importing a fully built TV is nearly impossible without a specific license. However, the market is booming, and the smart players are not importing TVs—they are importing "Open Cells."
This guide shows you the legitimate, high-profit roadmap to importing TV components and assembling them in India.
1. The "Red Light": Why You Can't Import Finished TVs
The Rule: Per DGFT Notification (Amendment to import policy of items under HS Code 8528 72), the import of Color Televisions is Restricted.
The Reality: The government rarely issues licenses to traders. If you ship finished units, your container will likely be seized or stuck at customs indefinitely.
The Solution: Import SKD (Semi-Knocked Down) or CKD (Completely Knocked Down) kits. Specifically, focus on the Open Cell Panel.
2. The "Open Cell" Strategy: The Tax Loophole
The "Open Cell" is the main LED/LCD screen without the plastic casing or backlight. It accounts for 60-70% of a TV's cost.
Government Stance: To encourage local assembly, the duty on Open Cell panels is significantly lower than on finished TVs.
The Business Model:
Import Open Cells + Motherboards (PCBs) + Remotes from China.
Source Plastic Casings + Backlights + Cartons locally in India (Delhi/Noida).
Assemble using a simple "Clean Room" setup.
| Product Category | HS Code | Import Duty (Approx) | Status |
| Finished LED TV | 8528 72 17 | Restricted (20% BCD + SWS + IGST) | Don't Do It |
| Open Cell Panel | 8524 99 90 | 5% (Subject to latest notification) | Allowed |
| TV Motherboard (PCB) | 8529 90 90 | 10-15% | Allowed |
3. Compliance: The "BIS" Hurdle
Even if you assemble in India, you cannot sell a TV without a BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) license.
Standard: IS 616:2017 (Audio, Video and Similar Electronic Apparatus - Safety Requirements).
The Process:
Registration: You (the brand owner) must register under the CRS (Compulsory Registration Scheme).
Testing: You must submit samples of your assembled TV to a BIS-approved lab in India.
Cost: Approx ₹50,000 - ₹80,000 per model series.
Timeline: 30-45 days.
Warning: Without the BIS logo printed on the back of your TV, it is illegal to sell on Amazon/Flipkart or offline.
4. Sourcing Hubs: Where to Buy in China?
China is the world's factory for display panels.
Guangzhou & Shenzhen: The hubs for electronics.
Canton Fair (Guangzhou): The best place to meet OEM suppliers face-to-face.
Top "White Label" Suppliers:
KTC (Shenzhen KTC Technology): Huge OEM manufacturer.
MTC (Shenzhen MTC): Specialized in SKD kits.
BOE & CSOT: The giants that make the actual glass panels (Open Cells). Most assemblers buy the glass from them.
5. Logistics: The "Fragile" Trap
Shipping Open Cells is risky. They are essentially thin sheets of glass.
Packaging: They must be packed in "Vertical Pallets" with shock absorbers. Never stack them flat.
Container: Use 40ft HQ containers to maximize volume.
Insurance: Mandatory. A single crack renders the panel 100% worthless.
6. Profitability Snapshot (32-inch Smart TV Example)
Import Cost (Open Cell + Kit): ~$45 - $50 (approx. ₹4,200)
Local Parts (Cabinet/Backlight): ~₹800
Assembly & Packaging: ~₹300
Landed Cost: ~₹5,300
Wholesale Price: ₹6,500 - ₹7,000
Retail Price (Amazon): ₹8,999+
7. Action Plan for Importers
Don't start with imports. Visit a local assembler in Noida (Sector 63). Buy 100 unbranded units, put your sticker on them, and try to sell them. Validate the market first.
Apply for BIS. Once you have sales traction, register your brand with BIS.
Import SKD. Once you cross 500 units/month, fly to Shenzhen, deal with an SKD supplier, and start importing components to save that extra 15-20% margin.