Motor cars

Diesel-electric hybrid motor cars (non-plug-in)

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 8703 50 30 (Motor cars) is subject to the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) ITC (HS) import policy controls under Policy Conditions 2, 7 and 9 of Chapter 87 for new vehicles, and Policy Condition 1 for second-hand or used vehicles. Registration of imported vehicles must comply with the Central Motor Vehicles (Eleventh Amendment) Rules, 2018 under GSR 870(E) dated 13-09-2018.

What this is

HSN code

8703 50 30

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 and 9

Customs documentation

Policy condition compliance from DGFT
Vehicle registration compliance from MoRTH
Import declaration from CBIC

Compliance steps

1
Identify the applicable import track before filing the bill of entry: new vehicles attract Policy Conditions 2, 7 and 9 of Chapter 87; second-hand or used vehicles attract Policy Condition 1; customised cars attract Policy Condition 10. Verify whether any exemption under Policy Conditions 3, 4, 5, 6 or 11 applies to the specific consignment.
ITC (HS) Import Policy, Chapter 87, Policy Conditions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 and 11
2
Ensure registration of imported vehicles by manufacturers, their authorised representatives, or organisations and citizens importing for personal use, demonstration, testing, research or scientific purposes complies with the Central Motor Vehicles (Eleventh Amendment) Rules, 2018. The GSR 870(E) dated 13-09-2018 and DGFT Notification 14/2015-20 dated 28-08-2019 govern the registration pathway.
GSR 870(E) dated 13-09-2018 · DGFT Notification 14/2015-20 dated 28-08-2019
3
For vintage motor vehicle imports by actual users, note that DGFT Notification 58/2024-25 dated 07-02-2025 amended Policy Condition 1(iii) to classify such imports as Free. Confirm current import-policy status at the time of filing, as policy conditions for Chapter 87 vehicles are subject to periodic amendment.
DGFT Notification 58/2024-25 dated 07-02-2025

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is conflating the new-vehicle policy track with the second-hand or used-vehicle track and presenting the wrong policy-condition compliance at the bill of entry. A new non-plug-in diesel-electric hybrid car governed by Policy Conditions 2, 7 and 9 presented under the used-vehicle Policy Condition 1 framework — or vice versa — triggers detention and a request for amendment of the bill of entry, accruing demurrage and ground rent until the correct compliance documentation is substituted.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8703 50 30 require BIS certification?

No, no BIS Quality Control Order covers non-plug-in diesel-electric hybrid motor cars under this tariff line. Import is governed exclusively by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade ITC (HS) import policy under Chapter 87 Policy Conditions, with vehicle registration compliance required under the Central Motor Vehicles (Eleventh Amendment) Rules, 2018.

Which policy conditions govern the import of second-hand or used diesel-electric hybrid cars under this HSN?

Second-hand or used vehicles are subject to Policy Condition 1 of Chapter 87, while new vehicles fall under Policy Conditions 2, 7 and 9; exemption provisions under Policy Conditions 3, 4, 5, 6 and 11 should be checked before filing the bill of entry.

Are vintage motor vehicle imports of this type permitted freely?

Yes, DGFT Notification 58/2024-25 dated 07-02-2025 amended Policy Condition 1(iii) to make vintage motor vehicle imports by actual users Free, but the importer must satisfy the actual-user condition and confirm current policy status at the time of import.

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