Import of 4G telecom equipment by mobile telephony service providers will attract a 10 per cent basic Customs duty, a move that will impact firms investing in new technology. So far, there had been no clarity on the import duty on such equipment as to whether they are covered under the global Information Technology Agreement (ITA) — which allowed a host of IT and telecom product exemption as per basic Customs duty under WTO provisions. The Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) has instructed field formations that 4G equipment import will be subject to basic Customs duty and assessment orders be passed accordingly.