Centre targets China with curbs on import of power tiller and components

Importers would now need licence from DGFT as the product has been moved from 'free' to 'restricted' category; China controls more than 30% of Indian market in this equipment

The government has imposed curbs on the import of power tillers and related components in a move that could discourage inbound shipments of these products that come mainly from China, which accounts for over 30 per cent of such equipment used in India.

"Import policy of power tillers and its components is amended from free to restricted," the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has said in a notification.

Putting a product under a "restricted" category means the importer would have to seek a license from the DGFT for the imports.

Industry sources said that a significant amount of power tillers in India