Other

Battery electric passenger vehicles, other than specified

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 8703 80 90 (Other battery-electric passenger motor vehicles) is governed by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) ITC (HS) import policy under Chapter 87 Policy Conditions 2, 7 and 9 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. Importers of customised electric cars are additionally subject to Policy Condition 10.

What this is

HSN code

8703 80 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

Customs documentation

Import Licence from DGFT
Policy condition compliance from DGFT
Vehicle registration compliance from MoRTH

Compliance steps

1
Identify the applicable import-policy track before filing the bill of entry: Policy Conditions 2, 7 and 9 govern new vehicles; Policy Condition 1 governs second-hand or used vehicles; Policy Condition 10 governs customised cars. Review Policy Conditions 3, 4, 5, 6 and 11 to determine whether an applicable exemption applies to the consignment.
ITC (HS) Chapter 87 Policy Conditions 1, 2, 7, 9 and 10; exemptions under Policy Conditions 3, 4, 5, 6 and 11
2
Ensure the imported vehicle is registered in compliance with the Central Motor Vehicles (Eleventh Amendment) Rules, 2018 when imported by a manufacturer, its authorised representative, or by an organisation or individual for personal use, demonstration, testing, research or scientific purposes.
GSR 870(E) dated 13-09-2018, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways · DGFT Notification 14/2015-20 dated 28-08-2019
3
Note that Vintage Motor Vehicles are free for import by actual users following the amendment to Policy Condition 1(iii). Confirm the vehicle qualifies as a vintage motor vehicle under the amended condition before claiming free-import status.
DGFT Notification 58/2024-25 dated 07-02-2025

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is conflating the policy-condition track applicable to new vehicles with that for second-hand or used battery-electric vehicles — the two tracks carry distinct conditions and the exemption provisions in Policy Conditions 3, 4, 5, 6 and 11 do not automatically cross-apply. A consignment presented under the wrong policy condition at the bill-of-entry stage is liable to detention and reassessment; the amendment to Policy Condition 1(iii) introducing free import for vintage motor vehicles applies only to actual users and requires positive documentary evidence of vintage status.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8703 80 90 require BIS certification?

No, no BIS Quality Control Order covers this battery-electric passenger vehicle sub-heading. Import is governed by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade ITC (HS) policy under Chapter 87 Policy Conditions, with vehicle-registration compliance required under the Central Motor Vehicles (Eleventh Amendment) Rules, 2018.

Which policy conditions apply to the import of a second-hand electric vehicle under this HSN?

Second-hand or used vehicles are subject to Policy Condition 1 of Chapter 87; Policy Conditions 2, 7 and 9 apply only to new vehicles, and the exemption conditions 3, 4, 5, 6 and 11 must be reviewed separately for each consignment.

Does the 2025 DGFT amendment change the import status of vintage motor vehicles?

Yes. 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; consignments must be supported by evidence establishing vintage-vehicle status to claim this free-import treatment.

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