Getting laptops to third world countries is a real challenge. Customs agents see the computers, unaware of their age or value, and they get held, go missing until they are bribed, or just outright stollen.
Where I previously worked, we had a server room with over a hundred laptops, many late intel MacBook pros much better than the computers coworkers in India were using, but we just could not get them there from the US. The best we could do is ask coworkers traveling to visit the India team if they were willing to carry an additional laptop through customs. But a work laptop, personal laptop, and now a second "personal" laptop, even just three devices, would sometimes cause them a headache. If the logistics were easier, I am sure more of what you are proposing would happen.
Laptops valued under Rs 50,000 are exempt from duty in India.
Laptops between Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 70,000 come under 10% duty.
Laptops over Rs 70,000 come under 18% + 18% GST.
This is a lot.
However, if your laptop meets these criteria, you can forgo paying duties:
- it is used or opened with signs of wear or tear,
- it has an older invoice (3+ years) showing purchase outside India,
- it has repair or warranty documents from previous use abroad.
Where I previously worked, we had a server room with over a hundred laptops, many late intel MacBook pros much better than the computers coworkers in India were using, but we just could not get them there from the US. The best we could do is ask coworkers traveling to visit the India team if they were willing to carry an additional laptop through customs. But a work laptop, personal laptop, and now a second "personal" laptop, even just three devices, would sometimes cause them a headache. If the logistics were easier, I am sure more of what you are proposing would happen.