Side cars

Motorcycle side cars, other motor vehicle side cars

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 8711 90 10 (Side cars) 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 conditions applying at the bill of entry. New vehicles must be imported exclusively through 11 notified seaports, 3 air cargo complexes, and 4 Inland Container Depots, while second-hand vehicles are confined to Mumbai port subject to ITC (HS) condition 1.

What this is

HSN code

8711 90 10

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

Port restriction compliance from DGFT
Homologation certificate from certifying authority
ITC (HS) policy declaration to CBIC

Compliance steps

1
Route the consignment exclusively through one of the 18 notified import points: seaports Nhava Sheva, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Ennore, Cochin, Kattupalli, APM Terminals Pipavav, Krishnapatnam, Vishakhapatnam, and Mundra; air cargo complexes at Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai; or ICDs at Talegaon Pune, Tughlakabad, Faridabad, and Garhi Harsaru. Second-hand vehicles are restricted to Mumbai port only, per ITC (HS) condition 1.
DGFT Notification 18/2015-20 dated 12-07-2018 · DGFT Notification 59/2023 dated 12-02-2024 · ITC (HS) condition 1 of Chapter 87
2
Obtain and present a Homologation Certificate (or type approval per ITC (HS) condition 7) before clearance. The vehicle must comply with right-hand drive, kilometre-calibrated speedometer, and head-lamp photometry requirements under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and associated rules; non-compliance results in consignment detention and refusal of out-of-charge.
ITC (HS) conditions 2 and 7 of Chapter 87 · Motor Vehicles Act, 1988

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is underestimating the scope of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 compliance checks at the port of entry: customs officers verify right-hand drive configuration, kilometre-based speedometer calibration, and head-lamp photometry as distinct, independently assessable conditions — not a single bundled clearance. A consignment that passes homologation but fails the speedometer or photometry check is detained pending rectification, and rectification at berth attracts demurrage and ground rent that can quickly exceed the cost of pre-shipment compliance.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8711 90 10 require BIS certification?

No, side cars classified under this tariff line 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 conditions, with Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 compliance and designated-port restrictions as the binding requirements.

Can second-hand side cars be imported through any of the 18 notified ports?

No. Second-hand vehicles, including side cars, are permitted only through Mumbai port, subject to ITC (HS) condition 1 of Chapter 87, per DGFT Notification 18/2015-20 and DGFT Notification 59/2023.

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 in specified circumstances; the applicable condition must be confirmed against the current ITC (HS) Schedule before dispatch, as invoking the wrong condition at the bill of entry triggers detention.

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