Motor cars

Petrol motor cars, 1,000 cc to 1,500 cc engine capacity

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 8703 22 91 (Motor cars, 1,000–1,500 cc) is governed by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) ITC (HS) import policy under Chapter 87 policy conditions, which distinguish sharply between new vehicles, second-hand or used vehicles, and customised cars. New vehicles are subject to Policy Conditions 2, 7 and 9; second-hand or used vehicles to Policy Condition 1; and customised cars and parts to Policy Condition 10. Exemptions and personal-use, demonstration, testing, and research-use carve-outs are available under Policy Conditions 3, 4, 5, 6 and 11.

What this is

HSN code

8703 22 91

Chapter

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

Primary regulator

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

Customs documentation

Import policy compliance from DGFT
Motor vehicle type approval from MoRTH
Compliance documentation from State government

Compliance steps

1
Identify the correct policy condition before filing: new vehicles attract Policy Conditions 2, 7 and 9; second-hand or used vehicles attract Policy Condition 1 (with the vintage motor vehicle carve-out under DGFT Notification 58/2024-25 for actual users); customised cars and parts attract Policy Condition 10. Select the wrong condition and the bill of entry will be returned for amendment or the consignment detained.
ITC (HS) Chapter 87 Policy Conditions 1, 2, 7, 9 and 10 · DGFT Notification 58/2024-25 dated 07-02-2025
2
Ensure imported vehicles comply with the Central Motor Vehicles (Eleventh Amendment) Rules, 2018 for registration purposes. This obligation applies to vehicles imported by manufacturers, their authorised representatives, organisations, or citizens for personal use, demonstration, testing, research or scientific use.
GSR 870(E) dated 13-09-2018 · DGFT Notification 14/2015-20 dated 28-08-2019

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is conflating the new-vehicle regime with the second-hand regime, or failing to establish actual-user status for the vintage-vehicle carve-out introduced by DGFT Notification 58/2024-25. A consignment booked under Policy Condition 1 (used vehicles) that is in fact a new vehicle, or one claiming the vintage exemption without documentary proof of actual-user status, faces confiscation or re-export under the Customs Act, 1962, in addition to DGFT policy-contravention proceedings. Confirm vehicle age and condition against the applicable policy condition before placing the purchase order abroad.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8703 22 91 require BIS certification?

No, motor cars in this displacement bracket are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade ITC (HS) Chapter 87 policy conditions, with registration compliance required under the Central Motor Vehicles (Eleventh Amendment) Rules, 2018.

What changed for vintage motor vehicles under DGFT Notification 58/2024-25?

DGFT Notification 58/2024-25 dated 07-02-2025 amended Policy Condition 1(iii) to make vintage motor vehicles Free for import by actual users, removing the earlier restriction that applied to that sub-category.

Which policy conditions govern exemptions for personal use or research imports?

Policy Conditions 3, 4, 5, 6 and 11 of Chapter 87 contain the applicable exemption carve-outs, including vehicles imported for personal use, demonstration, testing, research or scientific use; each carve-out carries its own documentary and end-use conditions.

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