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HomeHSNChapter 87HSN 8703 50 90

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Diesel-electric hybrid passenger motor vehicles, non-plug-in

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 8703 50 90 covers passenger motor vehicles with a combined diesel (compression-ignition) and electric propulsion system that cannot be charged from an external power source, and their import is governed by the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under Policy Conditions 2, 7 and 9 of Chapter 87 for new vehicles. Second-hand or used vehicles fall under Policy Condition 1 of Chapter 87, and customised vehicles are subject to Policy Condition 10. Vehicle registration must additionally comply with the Central Motor Vehicles (Eleventh Amendment) Rules, 2018.

What this is
HSN code
8703 50 90
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 condition compliance from DGFT
  • Type Approval Certificate from Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
  • Registration compliance declaration from importer
Compliance steps
  1. 1
    Determine the applicable ITC (HS) policy condition before filing the bill of entry: new vehicles must satisfy Policy Conditions 2, 7 and 9 of Chapter 87; second-hand or used vehicles must satisfy Policy Condition 1; customised cars must satisfy Policy Condition 10. Confirm whether any exemption under Policy Conditions 3, 4, 5, 6 or 11 applies to the specific importer category or use case.
    ITC (HS) Policy Conditions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 and 11 of Chapter 87
  2. 2
    Ensure compliance with the Central Motor Vehicles (Eleventh Amendment) Rules, 2018 for registration of imported vehicles, including vehicles imported by manufacturers, authorised representatives, or organisations and 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
  3. 3
    Note that DGFT Notification 58/2024-25 dated 07-02-2025 amends Policy Condition 1(iii): Vintage Motor Vehicles are now free for import by actual users. Verify whether the vehicle qualifies as a Vintage Motor Vehicle under this amended condition before classifying it under the Second Hand or Used Vehicle regime.
    DGFT Notification 58/2024-25 dated 07-02-2025
A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is applying the new-vehicle policy conditions to a consignment that customs or DGFT classifies as a second-hand or used vehicle — the two regimes carry materially different obligations, and a misfiled bill of entry triggers detention and potential confiscation under the Customs Act, 1962. Verify the vehicle's manufacture date, prior registration history, and odometer reading before selecting the policy condition; a vehicle presented as new but with any prior registration history will be assessed under Policy Condition 1, regardless of the condition of the vehicle at the time of import.

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Frequently asked
Does HSN 8703 50 90 require BIS certification?
No, no BIS Quality Control Order covers this non-plug-in diesel-electric hybrid passenger vehicle category. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under the applicable Chapter 87 Policy Conditions, with vehicle registration subject to the Central Motor Vehicles (Eleventh Amendment) Rules, 2018.
Which policy condition applies to a new diesel-electric hybrid vehicle imported through an authorised distributor?
New vehicles are subject to Policy Conditions 2, 7 and 9 of Chapter 87; the importer should also check Policy Conditions 3, 4, 5, 6 and 11 for any applicable exemptions, and registration must comply with GSR 870(E) dated 13-09-2018 and DGFT Notification 14/2015-20.
Can a Vintage Motor Vehicle classified under HSN 8703 50 90 be imported freely?
Yes, provided it qualifies as a Vintage Motor Vehicle and is imported by an actual user; DGFT Notification 58/2024-25 dated 07-02-2025 amended Policy Condition 1(iii) to make such imports free, overriding the earlier second-hand or used vehicle restrictions for that category.
Last verified against gazette notifications: 2026-05-16. Source: DGFT / Indian Customs CUSDATA.
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