Union Budget 2011: Laserjet, ink-jet printer prices not to fall

KOLKATA: Prices of ink-jet and laserjet printers are not going to fall, despite a cut in excise duty/CVD from 10% to 5% for printer parts imported by actual users for manufacturing of printers and reduction in special additional custom duty from 4% to nil.

This is due to the fact that none of the leading printer vendors like Canon, Hewlett-Packard and Epson currently manufacture printers in India.

“While the move is actually intended to encourage local manufacturing, we have to study other factors like volume sales before taking a decision,” said Canon India senior VP Alok Bharadwaj.

There are currently some 4 million laser printers and 3 million inkjet printers installed in the country. Around 50% of inkjet printers are used for home printing. Due to lower costs, inkjet printers are primarily used for home printing and laser printers more for commercial use.