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Motorcycles with 50–250 cc internal combustion piston engine

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 8711 20 39 (motorcycles with engine capacity exceeding 50 cc but not exceeding 250 cc) is subject to the ITC (HS) Restricted-import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under Conditions 1, 2 and 7 of Chapter 87. New vehicles are permitted only through 18 designated seaports, airports, and ICDs notified by DGFT, and compliance with the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 — including homologation, right-hand drive, and speedometer requirements — is verified at the bill of entry.

What this is
HSN code
8711 20 39
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
  • ITC (HS) policy compliance from DGFT
  • Homologation certificate from competent authority
  • Type Approval certificate per Condition 7
Compliance steps
  1. 1
    Route the consignment exclusively through one of the 18 designated ports notified by DGFT — 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), or ICDs (Talegaon Pune, Tughlakabad, Faridabad, Garhi Harsaru). Arrival at any non-notified port attracts detention and re-export under the ITC (HS) Restricted-import policy.
    DGFT Notification 18/2015-20 dated 12-07-2018 · DGFT Notification 59/2023 dated 12-02-2024
  2. 2
    Submit a Homologation Certificate — or a Type Approval certificate meeting Condition 7 of Chapter 87 — along with documentation confirming right-hand drive configuration, kilometre-graduated speedometer, and compliant photometry of headlamps before customs out-of-charge. Non-compliance constitutes a violation of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and grounds for confiscation.
    ITC (HS) Conditions 1, 2 and 7 of Chapter 87 · Motor Vehicles Act, 1988
  3. 3
    If the vehicles are second-hand, import is restricted exclusively to Mumbai seaport under Condition 1 of Chapter 87. Second-hand vehicle imports arriving at any other notified port are not permitted under the ITC (HS) policy and are liable to re-export at the importer's cost.
    ITC (HS) Condition 1 of Chapter 87 · DGFT Notification 18/2015-20 dated 12-07-2018
A word of counsel

The most frequent error on this tariff line is confusing the general 18-port permission for new vehicles with the far narrower second-hand vehicle channel, which is confined solely to Mumbai seaport under Condition 1. Importers who book second-hand motorcycles to any of the other 17 permitted ports face mandatory re-export; no in-transit diversion or port-substitution remedy exists once the bill of lading names an ineligible port. Verify new-versus-used classification — and the corresponding port — before the purchase order is placed.

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Frequently asked
Does HSN 8711 20 39 require BIS certification?
No, this tariff line is 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 mandatory homologation and Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 compliance verified at the port of entry.
Which ports are notified for the import of new motorcycles under this HSN?
New vehicles may be imported through 11 seaports (Nhava Sheva, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Ennore, Cochin, Kattupalli, APM Terminals Pipavav, Krishnapatnam, Vishakhapatnam, Mundra), 3 airports (Mumbai Air Cargo Complex, Delhi Air Cargo, Chennai Airport), and 4 ICDs (Talegaon Pune, Tughlakabad, Faridabad, Garhi Harsaru), per DGFT Notifications 18/2015-20 and 59/2023.
What happens if the imported motorcycle does not have a Homologation Certificate?
Absence of a Homologation Certificate — or a qualifying Type Approval under Condition 7 — renders the consignment non-compliant with ITC (HS) Chapter 87 conditions and the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, exposing it to detention, monetary penalty, or confiscation at the port of entry.
Last verified against gazette notifications: 2026-05-16. Source: DGFT / Indian Customs CUSDATA.
Related
ChapterChapter 87 · Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling-stock; parts and accessoriesIndustryAutomotive & Components industryHSNMOTORCYCLES (INCLUDING MOPEDS) AND CYCLES FITTED WITH AN AUXILIARY MOTOR, WITH OR WITHOUT SIDE-CARS;