TANKS AND OTHER ARMOURED FIGH-TING VEHICLES, MOTORISED, WHETHER OR NOT FITTED WITH WEAPONS, AND PARTS OF SUCH VEHICLES

Tanks and armoured fighting vehicles, motorised, with parts

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 8710 00 00 (tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, motorised, whether or not fitted with weapons, and parts) is classified as Restricted under the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), operative under Conditions 1, 2 and 7 of Chapter 87. Import is permitted only through a set of designated seaports, airports, and ICDs notified under DGFT Notification 18/2015-20 and DGFT Notification 59/2023.

What this is

HSN code

8710 00 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

Import authorisation from DGFT
Homologation certificate from competent authority
ITC (HS) policy compliance declaration

Compliance steps

1
Obtain prior authorisation from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade satisfying Conditions 1, 2 and 7 of Chapter 87 of the ITC (HS) before placing the import order. The tariff line is Restricted; import without a valid DGFT authorisation renders the consignment liable to detention and confiscation at the port of entry.
ITC (HS) Conditions 1, 2 and 7 to Chapter 87 · DGFT Notification 18/2015-20 dated 12-07-2018 · DGFT Notification 59/2023 dated 12-02-2024
2
Route new vehicles only through one of the 18 designated entry points: seaports Nhava Sheva, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Ennore, Cochin, Kattupalli, APM Terminals Pipavav, Krishnapatnam, Vishakhapatnam, or Mundra; airports Mumbai Air Cargo Complex, Delhi Air Cargo, or Chennai Airport; or ICDs Talegaon Pune, Tughlakabad, Faridabad, or Garhi Harsaru. Second-hand vehicles are restricted to Mumbai port only, subject to Condition 1.
DGFT Notification 18/2015-20 dated 12-07-2018 · DGFT Notification 59/2023 dated 12-02-2024 · ITC (HS) Condition 1 to Chapter 87
3
Ensure the vehicle satisfies Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 compliance requirements at customs examination, including a Homologation Certificate or Type Approval per Condition 7, right-hand drive configuration, kilometre speedometer, and photometry-compliant headlamps before out-of-charge.
Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 · ITC (HS) Condition 7 to Chapter 87

A word of counsel

The port restriction is the most commonly missed requirement on this tariff line: because armoured fighting vehicles are infrequently imported, shippers sometimes book cargo through a convenient general-cargo port not on the DGFT-notified list, triggering detention and potential confiscation even where the DGFT authorisation is otherwise current. Confirm the designated-port list against the bill of lading before vessel departure; a post-loading port change requires a fresh DGFT clearance and attracts ground rent and demurrage at the diversion port.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8710 00 00 require BIS certification?

No, tanks and armoured fighting vehicles are not covered by 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 designated-port and homologation requirements.

Can second-hand armoured vehicles be imported through any of the 18 designated ports?

No. Second-hand vehicles under this tariff line are permitted only through Mumbai port, subject to ITC (HS) Condition 1 of Chapter 87, per DGFT Notification 18/2015-20 as amended by Notification 59/2023.

What happens if the Homologation Certificate is absent at the time of customs examination?

Absence of a Homologation Certificate or Type Approval document compliant with Condition 7 of Chapter 87 prevents out-of-charge; the consignment is detained at the port of entry, accruing demurrage and ground rent, until the deficiency is remedied or the goods are re-exported.

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