Do you have a Chinese Mobile Phone? You may be in for trouble.
DGFT prohibits import of CDMA Mobile Phones without ESN
The DGFT has prohibited import of ‘CDMA mobile phones' (classified under ITC (HS) Code ‘8517') without Electronic Serial Number (ESN)/Mobile Equipment Identifier (MEID) or with all Zeroes as ESN / MEID.
DGFT had earlier by Notification No. 112 dated 16 th June 2009, prohibited “Import of ‘Mobile Handsets' (classified under EXIM Code ‘8517') without International Mobile Equipment Identify (IMEI) No. or with all Zeroes IMEI.
These phones are supposed to be dangerous and a good weapon for the terrorists. Speaking in parliament on 27.7.2009, an honourable MP asked,
“Are they still allowing mobile phones from China that could hamper Indian national security? I am worried because Chinese mobile phones without international mobile equipment identity number are posing threat to national security. These phones have been used by terrorists to communicate with each other or to set off bombs. About eight lakh such phones enter India from China each month.”
These phones are much cheaper and the favourite choice for those who want to indulge in criminal or even terrorist activities as it cannot be tracked.
An IMEI number consists of 15 or 17 digits. Genuine branded phones carry valid IMEI numbers. When the SIM card in a mobile phone gets activated, the IMEI number gets automatically registered with the GSM service provider and it becomes possible to trace a call and find out the caller's identity and the location from where the call was made.
By using the IMEI number, the security agencies not only can block the handset, but also retrieve call details from the recovered handset.
However, most of the China-make mobile phones carry fake IMEI numbers. In some case, several of such handsets have the same IMEI number or IMEI number is altogether absent. In such cases, it becomes virtually impossible to trace either the caller or extract information about the calls made from these mobile phones.
How to check whether your mobile phone has a valid IMEI number:
Dial *#06#
A 15-digit number will be displayed on your handset.
So be careful before you buy that cheap China phone.
DGFT Notification No. 14/ 2009-2014, Dated: October 14, 2009