Mobile drilling derricks

Mobile drilling derricks, special purpose motor vehicles

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 8705 20 00 (Mobile drilling derricks) is subject to the ITC (HS) Restricted-import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), with designated-port restrictions and Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 compliance as binding clearance requirements at the bill of entry. New vehicles may be imported only through eleven specified seaports, three air cargo complexes, and four Inland Container Depots notified under DGFT Notification 18/2015-20 and 59/2023. Second-hand mobile drilling derricks are permitted solely through Mumbai port.

What this is

HSN code

8705 20 00

Chapter

87 · Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling-stock; parts and accessories

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) Restricted import policy, Conditions 1, 2 and 7 of Chapter 87

Customs documentation

Homologation Certificate from competent authority
Import declaration from DGFT
MV Act compliance from importer

Compliance steps

1
Route the consignment exclusively through a port notified under DGFT Notification 18/2015-20 dated 12-07-2018 and Notification 59/2023 dated 12-02-2024. Permitted gateways for new vehicles are: seaports (Nhava Sheva, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Ennore, Cochin, Kattupalli, APM Terminals Pipavav, Krishnapatnam, Vishakhapatnam, Mundra); airports (Mumbai Air Cargo Complex, Delhi Air Cargo, Chennai Airport); and ICDs (Talegaon Pune, Tughlakabad, Faridabad, Garhi Harsaru). Second-hand vehicles are restricted to Mumbai port only.
DGFT Notification 18/2015-20 dated 12-07-2018 · DGFT Notification 59/2023 dated 12-02-2024 · ITC (HS) Condition 1, Chapter 87
2
Obtain a Homologation Certificate or Type Approval in compliance with ITC (HS) Condition 7 of Chapter 87, and verify conformity with Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 requirements including right-hand drive configuration, kilometre speedometer, and photometry of head lamps before filing the bill of entry.
Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 · ITC (HS) Conditions 2 and 7, Chapter 87

A word of counsel

The port-restriction rule is absolute and applies at the time the vessel (or aircraft) is designated for the consignment — redirecting a shipment already in transit to an unlisted port does not cure the violation and triggers detention, demurrage, and potential confiscation under the Customs Act, 1962. Importers treating mobile drilling derricks as industrial equipment rather than motor vehicles and therefore filing through non-notified ports account for a disproportionate share of clearance delays on this tariff line; the vehicle classification under Chapter 87 governs regardless of the drilling function.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8705 20 00 require BIS certification?

No, mobile drilling derricks are not subject to any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) Restricted-import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under Conditions 1, 2 and 7 of Chapter 87, with Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 compliance and designated-port restrictions as the operative requirements.

Can second-hand mobile drilling derricks be imported through any notified port?

No. Second-hand vehicles are restricted exclusively to Mumbai port under ITC (HS) Condition 1 of Chapter 87; routing a used unit through any other notified port — even one listed for new vehicles — renders the import non-compliant and liable to detention.

Is a Homologation Certificate always required, or can Type Approval substitute?

ITC (HS) Condition 7 of Chapter 87 permits Type Approval as an alternative to a Homologation Certificate; the importer must ensure the Type Approval document is current and covers the specific vehicle model and configuration being imported.

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