The government on Monday banned duty-free import of flat screen television by air travellers in a bid to prop up rupee, which declined below the 63 level against US dollar.
The government, according to a notification, has decided to ‘disallow import of flat panel (LCD/LED/Plasma) television as part of free baggage allowance’ with effect from August 26.
Air travellers currently can bring a flat screen
This would mean air travellers bring in TV as part of the baggage from August 26 would have to pay customs duty.
In a order to contain the current account deficit and arrest declining value of rupee, the government has raised duty on gold, platinum and silver to 10 per cent.
Finance Minister P Chidambaram had said that steps would be taken to compress import of non-essential goods.
The value of rupee touched all-time low of 63.30 to a dollar in the afternoon trade.
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