Prof. Bejon Kumar Misra
Consumer Policy Expert
India's imported goods market operates through layers of duties, taxes, and commissions that inflate consumer prices. While discounts create an illusion of accessibility, they frequently mask artificially inflated MRPs that mislead buyers.
India requires a multi-pronged strategy combining import substitution through joint ventures and technology transfer with regulatory parity. A transparent framework for Maximum Retail Price (MRP) applicable to both imported and locally manufactured goods would ensure fairness. Counterfeit goods pose dual threats of tax evasion and consumer harm.
Many Indian manufacturers produce world-class export products yet compromise on domestic quality. Imported goods carry inflated MRPs – sometimes marked up 500% above landing prices. Medical devices illustrate this problem clearly: India imports nearly 80% of them, and prices vary wildly. Unlike essential medicines regulated by NPPA, most products lack price controls.
When governments reduce duties or GST, MRPs often remain unchanged. Consumers see no relief. A transparent oversight mechanism ensuring cost-structure transparency would prevent exploitation.
Yes. Imported goods' inflated margins enable heavy discounting while maintaining profits and funding intermediary commissions. Local manufacturers operate with tighter margins and limited resources. They cannot afford the same aggressive marketing, deep discounts, or widespread distribution networks.
Many assume imported products are superior despite hidden challenges – poor after-sales service, expensive spare parts, limited local support. Government awareness campaigns and consumer guides highlighting domestic product value would correct this imbalance.
Quality, quality, quality. There can be no compromise. Manufacturers must adopt global best practices, benchmark against international standards, and ensure consistent quality across domestic and export markets.
Prefer Indian-made products and verify country-of-origin labels avoiding counterfeits. Report defective products or misleading practices to regulators like CCPA. Consumers must demand transparency and accountability while manufacturers must raise standards.