The Indian government has banned the import of cigarette lighters priced below ₹20 per unit to discourage inbound shipments of the product. The directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT) issued a notification stating that the import policy for cigarette lighters has been revised from “free” to “prohibited.” However, imports will still be allowed if the CIF (cost, insurance, and freight) value per lighter is Rs. 20 or higher. The prohibition applies to pocket lighters that are gas-fueled, non-refillable, or refillable.
According to data, imports of gas-fueled, non-refillable pocket lighters amounted to USD 0.66 million in the 2022-23 period, with April of this fiscal year seeing imports worth USD 0.13 million. Meanwhile, imports of gas-fueled, refillable pocket lighters reached USD 8.87 million in 2022-23, compared to USD 7 million in the previous fiscal year. In April of this fiscal year, imports for this category totalled USD 0.96 million. The main countries from which these lighters are imported include Spain, Turkey, and the UAE.
Stalin’s requests centre to save the matchbox industry
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin had earlier urged the Indian government to ban single-use plastic cigarette lighters to protect the matchbox industry and preserve employment opportunities. The industry, which provides livelihoods for over a lakh people, particularly women, is a vital source of economic growth in the region. Stalin highlighted that the matchbox industry generates around Rs. 400 crores in foreign exchange through exports. The government’s recent prohibition on the import of low-priced cigarette lighters has been appreciated by Stalin, who expressed gratitude to Union Minister Piyush Goyal for safeguarding the livelihoods of those employed in Tamil Nadu’s matchbox industry. The ban aims to address challenges faced by the industry, including competition from other countries, supply chain disruptions, and environmental concerns associated with plastic lighters.