Lok Sabha Question No. 3029 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-07
Subject: Import of Chinese Idols and Toys
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: HARISHCHANDRA DEORAM CHAVAN

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

(DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3029**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 7** **TH** **AUGUST 2015**

**IMPORT OF CHINESE IDOLS AND TOYS**

**3029. SHRI HARISHCHANDRA CHAVAN:**

Will the Minister of **COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (´ÉÉÉÊhÉVªÉ A´ÉÆ =tÉÉäMÉ àÉÆjÉÉÒ)** be pleased to state:

- 1.1. whether the Government has taken note of import of idols of Hindu Gods/Goddess and children's toys from China in large quantities in the country during the recent years and their illegal availability in the market in the country;
- 1.2. if so, the details thereof indicating the average annual quantum and value of idols and toys imported during the last three years;
- 1.3. the number of incidents of illegal availability of such items in the Indian market reported during the said period and the action taken thereon;
- 1.4. the reaction of the Government thereto including prohibition/restrictions imposed or proposed to be imposed on import of such items into the country;
- 1.5. whether orders for import of idols and toys had already been given to Chinese manufacturers but were not completed due to the ban imposed by the Government; and
- 1.6. if so, the estimated financial loss suffered by Indian traders as a result thereof?

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### ANSWER

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THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

(a) & (b): Goods are imported into the country as per import policy laid down in Indian Trade Classification (Harmonised System) [ITC(HS)] Classification of Export and Import Items, 2012. The import policy for import of toys is “free”. Idols of Gods / Goddesses are not separately classified under ITC (HS), 2012, Schedule – I (Import Policy).  Although freely importable, imports of toys, dolls, reduced size-models etc. under Chapter 95 of ITC (HS), 2012, are subject to fulfilment of certain standards /conditions. Details of import of Articles of stone/ other mineral substances, Statuettes, toys during the last three years and the current year from China are annexed.

(c) : No such incident of illegal availability of such items in the Indian market has been reported during the recent years.

(d): As per India’s commitment in the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Quantitative Restrictions have been removed and most items are freely importable. Restrictions on import/export of certain items are imposed to protect human, animal or plant life or health; or protection of patents, trademarks and copyrights etc., as and when necessary.

(e) & (f): As the Government has not imposed any ban on import of idols and toys, the question does not arise.

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**ANNEXURE**

**IMPORT OF IDOLS AND TOYS FROM CHINA**

**(Values in Rs. Crore)**

|                                               |             |          |             |             |             |             |             |             |                          |            |
|-----------------------------------------------|-------------|----------|-------------|-------------|-------------|-------------|-------------|-------------|--------------------------|------------|
| **Item**                                      | **ITC(HS)** | **UNIT** | **2012-13** |             | **2013-14** |             | **2014-15** |             | **2015-16 (APR TO MAY)** |            |
|                                               |             |          | **QTY**     | **VAL**     | **QTY**     | **VAL**     | **QTY**     | **VAL**     | **QTY**                  | **VAL**    |
| Articles of stone/  other mineral  substances | 68159990    | KGS      | 1049874     | 18.25       | 1090941     | 14.57       | 1286703     | 14.76       | 84046                    | 1.38       |
| Statuettes                                    | 83062910    | KGS      | 4831        | .24         | 3239        | .17         | 1276        | .10         | 95                       | .00        |
| Dolls  and toys of wood                       | 95030010    | NOS      | 101466      | 1.26        | 326562      | 2.74        | 2005408     | 4.08        | 49729                    | .45        |
| Dolls and toys of metal                       | 95030020    | NOS      | 404024      | 7.53        | 479637      | 6.62        | 382062      | 7.49        | 95565                    | 1.83       |
| Dolls and toys of plastic                     | 95030030    | NOS      | 328780905   | 410.92      | 601191115   | 564.16      | 593549594   | 629.93      | 99999965                 | 115.41     |
| Other                                         | 95030090    | NOS      | 762320022   | 742.84      | 811633412   | 891.74      | 1171637883  | 950.76      | 151402076                | 150.55     |
| **Grand total**                               |             |          |             | **1181.04** |             | **1480.00** |             | **1607.12** |                          | **269.62** |

Note:  Figures for 2014-15 and 2015-16(Apr to May) is provisional.

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