India will ban the duty-free import of flat-screen televisions from August 26, the government said in a statement on Monday, adding to a package of measures designed to prop up the rupee by stemming the flow of foreign currency out of the country.
The rupee on Monday fell to an all-time low of 63.30.
Government officials estimated that more than 1 million television sets were brought into the country last year — many from Dubai, Thailand and Singapore — under a scheme that allowed airline passengers to bring in screens worth up to Rs. 35,000 as part of their baggage allowance.
Under the new rules, passengers will have to pay a 35 per cent duty and other charges, the officials said.
