Vehicles principally designed for transport of more than seven persons, including driver

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles for eight or more persons

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 8703 60 10 covers plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) principally designed to transport more than seven persons, including the driver, and is governed by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) ITC (HS) import policy 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 notified under GSR 870(E) dated 13-09-2018.

What this is

HSN code

8703 60 10

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)

Customs documentation

Import policy compliance from DGFT
Type approval from Ministry of Road Transport
Vehicle registration compliance from MoRTH

Compliance steps

1
For new vehicle imports, ensure compliance with Policy Conditions 2, 7 and 9 of Chapter 87 of the ITC (HS). Import must be made by the manufacturer, through an authorised representative in India, or by an eligible organisation or individual under the applicable policy condition. Verify exemptions available under Policy Conditions 3, 4, 5, 6 and 11 before filing.
ITC (HS) Import Policy, Chapter 87, Policy Conditions 2, 7 and 9; DGFT Notification 14/2015-20 dated 28-08-2019
2
For second-hand or used vehicle imports, comply separately with Policy Condition 1 of Chapter 87. Note that vintage motor vehicles are free for import by actual users following the amendment under DGFT Notification 58/2024-25 dated 07-02-2025 amending Condition 1(iii).
ITC (HS) Import Policy, Chapter 87, Policy Condition 1; DGFT Notification 58/2024-25 dated 07-02-2025
3
Register the imported vehicle in compliance with the Central Motor Vehicles (Eleventh Amendment) Rules, 2018 notified under GSR 870(E) dated 13-09-2018. Vehicles imported by manufacturers or authorised representatives, as well as those imported for personal use, demonstration, testing, research or scientific purposes, must all meet this registration requirement.
Central Motor Vehicles (Eleventh Amendment) Rules, 2018 · 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 applying the new-vehicle policy conditions to a second-hand PHEV people-carrier, or vice versa. Policy Conditions 1 and 2 are mutually exclusive tracks — the applicable track is determined by the vehicle's age and condition at the time of import, and a misclassification between the two exposes the consignment to detention and re-export enforcement. Confirm the correct track before placing the purchase order, as corrections after shipment attract significant demurrage.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8703 60 10 require BIS certification?

No, plug-in hybrid electric people-carriers under this tariff line are not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade ITC (HS) policy under the applicable Policy Conditions of Chapter 87, together with vehicle-registration requirements under the Central Motor Vehicles (Eleventh Amendment) Rules, 2018.

Are there exemptions from the standard Chapter 87 policy conditions for this vehicle type?

Yes. Policy Conditions 3, 4, 5, 6 and 11 of Chapter 87 set out applicable exemptions; importers should verify which exemption category applies — such as demonstration, testing, research or scientific use — before filing the bill of entry.

How did DGFT Notification 58/2024-25 affect the import of vintage plug-in hybrid vehicles?

DGFT Notification 58/2024-25 dated 07-02-2025 amended Policy Condition 1(iii) to classify vintage motor vehicles as free for import by actual users, removing the prior restriction on this sub-category under the second-hand vehicle track.

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