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Motorcycles with 50-250 cc internal combustion piston engine

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 8711 20 99 (motorcycles with piston engine exceeding 50 cc but not exceeding 250 cc) is subject to Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) Restricted-import policy under ITC (HS) Conditions 1, 2 and 7 of Chapter 87, with import of new vehicles permitted only through 18 designated seaports, airports, and ICDs notified under DGFT Notification 18/2015-20 and DGFT Notification 59/2023. Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 homologation and right-hand-drive compliance apply as mandatory customs-clearance overlays.

What this is
HSN code
8711 20 99
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, Chapter 87
Customs documentation
  • Port-restriction declaration to DGFT
  • Homologation Certificate from competent authority
  • Type Approval Certificate from competent authority
Compliance steps
  1. 1
    Ensure the consignment is routed exclusively through one of the 18 designated ports: 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. Diversion to any non-notified port triggers Restricted-import enforcement.
    DGFT Notification 18/2015-20 dated 12-07-2018 · DGFT Notification 59/2023 dated 12-02-2024 · ITC (HS) Condition 1, Chapter 87
  2. 2
    Present a Homologation Certificate — or, under Condition 7, a Type Approval Certificate — confirming compliance with the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and Motor Vehicles Rules, including right-hand drive configuration, kilometre speedometer, and photometry standards for head lamps. Non-compliance with homologation requirements precludes customs out-of-charge.
    ITC (HS) Condition 7, Chapter 87 · Motor Vehicles Act, 1988
  3. 3
    If the vehicle is second-hand, note that import is restricted to Mumbai port only, subject to ITC (HS) Condition 1 of Chapter 87. A second-hand vehicle consigned to any other designated port remains inadmissible regardless of the new-vehicle port list.
    ITC (HS) Condition 1, Chapter 87 · DGFT Notification 18/2015-20 dated 12-07-2018
A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is assuming that all 18 designated ports are equally available for second-hand vehicles. New and second-hand vehicles operate under separate port-restriction regimes: second-hand motorcycles are confined to Mumbai port alone under Condition 1, while the expanded 18-port list under DGFT Notification 59/2023 applies only to new vehicles. Filing a bill of entry for a second-hand unit at any port other than Mumbai results in detention and compulsory re-export.

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Frequently asked
Does HSN 8711 20 99 require BIS certification?
No. No BIS Quality Control Order covers this motorcycle sub-heading. Import is governed by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade's Restricted-import policy under ITC (HS) Conditions 1, 2 and 7 of Chapter 87, with mandatory homologation and designated-port compliance under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
Which ports are notified for the import of new motorcycles under HSN 8711 20 99?
New motorcycles may be imported through 11 seaports, 3 airports and 4 ICDs as notified under DGFT Notification 18/2015-20 and DGFT Notification 59/2023 dated 12-02-2024; second-hand motorcycles are restricted to Mumbai port only under ITC (HS) Condition 1.
Is a Homologation Certificate always required, or can a Type Approval Certificate substitute for it?
ITC (HS) Condition 7 of Chapter 87 permits a Type Approval Certificate as an alternative to the Homologation Certificate; compliance with right-hand drive, kilometre speedometer, and head-lamp photometry standards under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 remains mandatory in either case.
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;