Motor-cycles

Motorcycles with 250cc to 500cc internal combustion engine

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 8711 30 20 (Motor-cycles, 250–500 cc) 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 homologation requirements applying at the bill-of-entry stage. Import of new vehicles is confined to 18 notified seaports, airports, and ICDs under DGFT Notification 18/2015-20 and 59/2023-24; second-hand vehicles are additionally restricted to Mumbai port only.

What this is

HSN code

8711 30 20

Chapter

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

Primary regulator

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

Customs documentation

Homologation certificate from competent authority
ITC (HS) policy declaration to DGFT
MV Act compliance certificate from importer

Compliance steps

1
Verify that the vehicle carries a valid Homologation Certificate (or Type Approval per Condition 7 of Chapter 87) and meets right-hand drive, kilometre speedometer, and headlamp photometry requirements under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and Rules. Non-compliant consignments are liable to detention and re-export at the importer's cost.
ITC (HS) Chapter 87, Conditions 1, 2 and 7 · Motor Vehicles Act, 1988
2
Route new vehicle consignments only through the 18 designated ports: 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). Diversion to any non-listed port triggers confiscation exposure.
DGFT Notification 18/2015-20 dated 12-07-2018 · DGFT Notification 59/2023-24 dated 12-02-2024
3
For second-hand motorcycles, import is restricted exclusively to Mumbai seaport under ITC (HS) Chapter 87 Condition 1. Consignments of used vehicles tendered at any other notified port are not covered by the permitted-import condition and are liable to confiscation.
ITC (HS) Chapter 87, Condition 1 · DGFT Notification 18/2015-20 dated 12-07-2018

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is assuming that arrival at any of the 18 DGFT-notified ports satisfies all port conditions for both new and second-hand vehicles. Second-hand motorcycles face a stricter overlay — Mumbai seaport only — and a consignment of used vehicles routed to, say, Nhava Sheva or Chennai on the basis that these are listed new-vehicle ports will be detained and face re-export or confiscation. Confirm the new-versus-used classification and the correct port before the vessel departs.

Need a regulatory steer on this product?

Speak to a regulatory counsel about your specific HSN, IS, and supplier situation.

Speak to an Expert

Frequently asked

Does HSN 8711 30 20 require BIS certification?

No, motorcycles in the 250–500 cc class 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 Chapter 87, with designated-port restrictions and Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 homologation requirements as the operative compliance framework.

Which documents are mandatory at the bill of entry for a new motorcycle consignment?

A Homologation Certificate (or Type Approval under Condition 7), evidence of right-hand drive and kilometre speedometer compliance, and headlamp photometry documentation must be presented; the consignment must arrive at one of the 18 designated ports per DGFT Notifications 18/2015-20 and 59/2023-24.

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

No. Second-hand vehicles are subject to Condition 1 of Chapter 87, which restricts their import exclusively to Mumbai seaport; all other notified ports apply only to new vehicles.

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