Motor cars

Motor cars with cylinder capacity exceeding 2,500 cc

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 8703 33 91 (Motor cars) is subject to the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), with distinct policy conditions applying to new vehicles (Policy Conditions 2, 7 and 9 of Chapter 87), second-hand or used vehicles (Policy Condition 1), and customised cars (Policy Condition 10). Vehicle registration must comply with the Central Motor Vehicles (Eleventh Amendment) Rules, 2018 notified under GSR 870(E) dated 13-09-2018.

What this is

HSN code

8703 33 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 1, 2, 7, 9, 10)

Customs documentation

ITC (HS) policy compliance from DGFT
Type approval or registration compliance from Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
Import licence or authorisation from DGFT

Compliance steps

1
Identify the applicable ITC (HS) policy condition before filing the bill of entry: Policy Conditions 2, 7 and 9 govern new vehicle imports; Policy Condition 1 governs second-hand or used vehicles; Policy Condition 10 governs customised cars. Policy Conditions 3, 4, 5, 6 and 11 set out applicable exemptions and should be checked for eligibility.
ITC (HS) Import Policy, Chapter 87, Policy Conditions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 and 11
2
Ensure the vehicle is registered in compliance with the Central Motor Vehicles (Eleventh Amendment) Rules, 2018. This applies to vehicles imported by manufacturers, their authorised representatives, organisations, or citizens for personal use, demonstration, testing, research or scientific purposes.
GSR 870(E) dated 13-09-2018 · DGFT Notification 14/2015-20 dated 28-08-2019 · Central Motor Vehicles (Eleventh Amendment) Rules, 2018
3
For imports of Vintage Motor Vehicles, note that the import category is Free for actual users following the amendment to Policy Condition 1(iii). Confirm actual-user status and retain supporting documentation at the bill of entry stage.
DGFT Notification 58/2024-25 dated 07-02-2025 · ITC (HS) Policy Condition 1(iii), Chapter 87

A word of counsel

The most frequent error on this tariff line is conflating the new-vehicle policy-condition track with the second-hand-vehicle track: an importer applying Policy Condition 2 to a used vehicle, or Policy Condition 1 to a brand-new car, will face bill-of-entry rejection and potential consignment detention at the port. Confirm the vehicle's manufacture date and first-registration status before selecting the applicable policy condition, as rectification after filing attracts both customs delay and DGFT-policy scrutiny.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8703 33 91 require BIS certification?

No, no BIS Quality Control Order covers motor cars under this tariff line. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under Chapter 87 policy conditions, with vehicle registration compliance required under the Central Motor Vehicles (Eleventh Amendment) Rules, 2018.

Which policy condition applies to a used or second-hand motor car imported under HSN 8703 33 91?

Policy Condition 1 of Chapter 87 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy applies to second-hand or used vehicles; Policy Conditions 3, 4, 5, 6 and 11 should be reviewed for any applicable exemptions before filing.

Are Vintage Motor Vehicles freely importable under this tariff line?

Yes, following the amendment under DGFT Notification 58/2024-25 dated 07-02-2025, Vintage Motor Vehicles are Free for import by actual users under Policy Condition 1(iii) of Chapter 87.

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