With only electric motor for propulsion

Battery-electric tractors for agricultural or industrial use

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 8701 24 00 (tractors with only electric motor for propulsion) is subject to the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) import policy conditions under ITC (HS) Chapter 87. New vehicles are governed by Policy Conditions 2, 7 and 9 of Chapter 87; second-hand or used vehicles by Policy Condition 1. Vehicle registration must comply with the Central Motor Vehicles (Eleventh Amendment) Rules, 2018 under GSR 870(E) dated 13-09-2018.

What this is

HSN code

8701 24 00

Chapter

87 · Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling-stock; parts and accessories

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) import policy conditions, Chapter 87

Customs documentation

Policy condition compliance from DGFT
Type Approval Certificate from MoRTH
Registration compliance from State government

Compliance steps

1
Determine whether the tractor being imported is new or second-hand. New electric tractors must satisfy Policy Conditions 2, 7 and 9 of Chapter 87 of the ITC (HS); second-hand or used electric tractors are subject to the more restrictive Policy Condition 1 of Chapter 87, which typically requires a DGFT import licence.
ITC (HS) Chapter 87, Policy Conditions 1, 2, 7 and 9; DGFT Notification 14/2015-20 dated 28-08-2019
2
Ensure post-importation vehicle registration complies with the Central Motor Vehicles (Eleventh Amendment) Rules, 2018, notified under GSR 870(E) dated 13-09-2018. Manufacturers importing through their Authorised Representatives in India, and organisations or citizens importing for personal use, demonstration, testing, research or scientific purposes must each demonstrate compliance with these Rules at the registration stage.
GSR 870(E) dated 13-09-2018, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways; DGFT Notification 14/2015-20 dated 28-08-2019

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is applying the new-vehicle policy conditions to a consignment that customs classifies as second-hand — a single prior use can shift the applicable regime from Policy Conditions 2, 7 and 9 to the far more restrictive Policy Condition 1, triggering detention and potential re-export of the consignment. Verify the vehicle's first-registration status in the exporting country before shipment; a post-arrival reclassification as used goods cannot be corrected by substituting documentation at the port.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8701 24 00 require BIS certification?

No, no BIS Quality Control Order covers electric tractors under this tariff line. Import is governed by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under the ITC (HS) Chapter 87 policy conditions, with vehicle registration compliance required under GSR 870(E) dated 13-09-2018.

Which exemptions are available from the standard Chapter 87 policy conditions for electric tractors?

Policy Conditions 3, 4, 5, 6 and 11 of Chapter 87 set out the applicable exemptions; importers should review these conditions against the specific use case — such as demonstration, testing, research or scientific use — before filing the bill of entry.

Do manufacturers importing electric tractors through Authorised Representatives face different registration obligations than direct importers?

Both manufacturers importing through Authorised Representatives and organisations or citizens importing for personal use, demonstration, testing, research or scientific use must comply with the Central Motor Vehicles (Eleventh Amendment) Rules, 2018 under GSR 870(E) dated 13-09-2018, with Policy Condition 12 of Chapter 87 providing the governing framework.

Last verified against gazette notifications: 2026-05-16. Source: DGFT / Indian Customs CUSDATA.