India bans certain mobile phones, toys and dairy products

New Delhi, June 16 (PTI) India Wednesday announced a slew
of restrictions on imports of certain mobile phones, dairy
products and toys which will mainly hit China.

"Import of 'Mobile Handsets' without International Mobile
Equipment Identity (IMEI) number or with all zeroes IMEI is
prohibited with immediate effect," the Directorate General of
Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a notification.

IMEI, a 15-digit code that appears on operator's
network when a call is made, helps authorities track users.

Concerns were raised over usage of such phone after the
terrorist attacks like the one in Mumbai in November last year
and they are seen as a serious threat to security

In a separate notification, DGFT, the nodal agency which
frames India's export and import polices, said shipments of
toys that do not meet international safety standards and norms
from countries across the world is banned till January 2010.

Earlier in January, India had prohibited import of toys
from China on health grounds. The restriction was, however,
eased later. Today's widening of curbs assumes significance as
Beijing had questioned India for not implementing safety
standard norms on toys being imported from other countries.

DGFT also said imports of toys accompanied by a
certificate from laboratories accredited to the International
Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) would be allowed.

The volume-driven, price-competitive Chinese toys are
estimated to have a dominant 70 per cent share in the global
toy market. The domestic market is estimated estimated at Rs
2,500 crore.

Meanwhile, shocked by surfacing of fake Chinese drugs
stamped with 'Made-in-India' logo in Africa, the government
has asked its missions in the region to step up vigil for
protecting the nation's image and market.

"Commerce and External Affairs ministries have written to
our Mission in Africa that such type of things should be
monitored strictly," a senior Commerce Department official
said.

Import of milk and milk products were banned earlier In
September last year to ward off threat of contaminated
whitener causing death of few infants and making thousands
ill. The ban was to expire on June 24.

Melamine, used for making plastics and fertiliser, was
found in infant milk and other dairy products of several
Chinese firms. The dangerous chemical can cause kidney stones
as well as failure of the organ.

More than a dozen countries in Asia and Africa had also
banned milk and dairy product imports from China while several
others had recalled the products suspected to be contaminated.

India, world's largest milk producer, India does not
import milk products from China. The ban is being seen as a
preventive measure.

China exported dairy products worth 359 million in
2007. PTI RR
DEP