Lok Sabha Question No. 3617 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-22
Subject: Illegal Import of Chinese Toys
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Asaduddin Owaisi

## Government of India

## Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Department of Consumer Affairs

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3617

TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.03.2023

## ILLEGAL IMPORT OF CHINESE TOYS

## 3617.  SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

## Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether in  order  to  crack  down  on  illegal  import  of  Chinese  toys  not  compliant  with  Bureau  of Indian Standards (BIS) norms, BIS has started carrying out raids across major airports, ports and shopping malls;
- (b) if so, the quantum of such goods seized by BIS so far;
- (c) whether it is a fact that so far 160 tonnes of toys manufactured have applied for BIS certification but no sanction has been granted by BIS so far; and
- (d) the steps taken or being taken further by the Government to ensure that such goods are not imported in the country?

## ANSWER

## miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k jkT; ea=h ( श्री अश्विनी कु मार चौबे )

## THE MINISTER OF STATE CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

(a) & (b)  : The Government has taken proactive steps to restrict import of sub-standard and unsafe toys and  to  promote  domestic  toy  industry.  A  Quality  Control  Order  for  Toys  was  issued  on  25/02/2020, through which toys have been brought under compulsory certification from Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)  with  effect  from  01-01-2021.    As  per  the  Order,  every  toy  in  the  market  must  conform  to  the requirements  of  relevant  Indian  Standard  and  bear  the  Standard  Mark  under  a  license  from  BIS  as  per Scheme-I  of  BIS  (Conformity  Assessment)  Regulations,  2018.    This  order  is  applicable  to  domestic manufacturers  as  well  as  foreign  manufacturers  who  intend  to  export  their  toys  to  India.    After implementation of QCO for the toys, Search and Seizures were conducted by BIS and 41,106 quantity was seized till 16.03.2023 across the country including major airports, ports and shopping malls.

- (c) :     Till date, BIS has granted 1,114 licenses to domestic toy manufacturing units and 35 licenses to foreign toy manufacturing units. The sanction of BIS certification for the products is an ongoing process and the license is being granted by BIS after following due procedure within the prescribed time.

(d)      :       As a result of various steps taken by the Government, the volume of import of toys into the Indian market has shown a consistently decreasing trend.  The import of Toys (HSN Codes 9503, 9504, 9505) to India has decreased from USD 332.55 million in 2014-15 to USD 109.72 million in 2021-22, a decrease of approximately 67%.

In  addition  to  the  issuance  of  Quality  control  order for toys  following steps  have been taken by  the government to reduce Import of Toys :-

- i. A  comprehensive  National  Action  Plan  for  Toys  has  been  formulated  by  the  government  to promote designing  of  toys  based  on  Indian  values,  culture  and  history;  using  toys  as  a  learning resource;  organizing  hackathons  and  grand  challenges  for  toy  designing  and  manufacturing; monitoring  quality  of  toys,  restricting  imports  of  sub-standard  and  unsafe  toys;  promoting indigenous toy clusters; boost local manufacturing and incentivize toy manufacturers to promote Made in India toys.
- ii. Directorate  General  of  Foreign  Trade  (DGFT)  vide  Notification  No.33/2015-2020,  dated  02-122019 mandated sample testing of each import consignment and no permission for sale unless the quality testing is successful.  In case of failure, the consignment is either sent back or destroyed at the cost of the importer.
- iii. The  Basic  Customs  Duty  (BCD)  on  Toys  (HS  Code-9503)  was  increased  from  20%  to  70%  in February, 2023.
- iv. QCO on Toys was amended on 11-12-2020 to exempt goods and articles manufactured and sold by artisans  registered  with  Development  Commissioner,  Ministry  of  Textiles  and  by  registered proprietor and authorized users of a product registered as Geographical Indication by the Office of Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks.
- v. Special provisions were notified by BIS on 17-12-2020 so as to grant license to micro scale units manufacturing toys without testing facility for one year and without establishing in-house testing facility.

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