Trailers and semi-trailers of the caravan type, for housing or camping

Caravan trailers and semi-trailers for housing or camping

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 8716 10 00 (Trailers and semi-trailers of the caravan type, for housing or camping) is subject to the ITC (HS) Restricted-import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), with import of new vehicles permitted only through 18 designated seaports, airports, and inland container depots. Compliance with the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and Rules — including homologation, right-hand drive, kilometre speedometer, and headlamp photometry requirements — applies as a mandatory customs overlay under ITC (HS) Conditions 1, 2 and 7 to Chapter 87.

What this is

HSN code

8716 10 00

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 designated authority
Type approval certificate from DGFT
ITC (HS) policy compliance from DGFT

Compliance steps

1
Route the consignment exclusively through one of 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), or ICDs (Talegaon Pune, Tughlakabad, Faridabad, Garhi Harsaru). Consignments arriving at any non-designated port are liable to detention and re-export.
DGFT Notification 18/2015-20 dated 12-07-2018 · DGFT Notification 59/2023 dated 12-02-2024
2
Obtain and produce a Homologation Certificate (or Type Approval per ITC (HS) Condition 7) confirming the vehicle meets right-hand drive configuration, kilometre speedometer calibration, and headlamp photometry standards under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and Rules. Non-compliant vehicles are barred from registration and may be confiscated or directed for re-export.
ITC (HS) Conditions 1, 2 and 7 to Chapter 87 · Motor Vehicles Act, 1988

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is shipping a second-hand caravan trailer to any port other than Mumbai. Second-hand vehicles are restricted exclusively to Mumbai port under ITC (HS) Condition 1; consignments diverted to any other designated port — even one on the new vehicles list — attract detention, mandatory re-routing costs, and potential confiscation. Confirm second-hand versus new status in the commercial invoice before booking the vessel.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8716 10 00 require BIS certification?

No, caravan trailers and semi-trailers 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 DGFT Notifications 18/2015-20 and 59/2023, with port restrictions and Motor Vehicles Act compliance as binding conditions.

Are all 18 designated ports available for both new and second-hand caravan trailers?

No. New vehicles may be imported through all 18 designated seaports, airports, and ICDs; second-hand vehicles are restricted exclusively to Mumbai port under ITC (HS) Condition 1 to Chapter 87.

What happens if the homologation certificate is not available at the time of filing the bill of entry?

Absence of a Homologation Certificate or valid Type Approval (per Condition 7) renders the consignment non-compliant with ITC (HS) conditions, exposing it to customs detention, demurrage, and ground rent until the document is produced or the goods are re-exported.

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