Tanker trailers and tanker semi-trailers

Tanker trailers and tanker semi-trailers for bulk liquids

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 8716 31 00 (Tanker trailers and tanker semi-trailers) is subject to the ITC (HS) Restricted-import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under Notifications 18/2015-20 and 59/2023-24, including designated-port restrictions and Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 compliance. New vehicles may be imported only through 11 specified seaports, 3 airports, and 4 ICDs; second-hand vehicles are restricted to Mumbai port only.

What this is

HSN code

8716 31 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 competent authority
ITC (HS) policy compliance from DGFT
Port restriction declaration to CBIC

Compliance steps

1
Confirm the consignment is routed through one of the DGFT-notified ports of import before vessel departure. For new vehicles, permitted entry points are seaports Nhava Sheva, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Ennore, Cochin, Kattupalli, APM Terminals Pipavav, Krishnapatnam, Vishakhapatnam and Mundra; airports Mumbai Air Cargo Complex, Delhi Air Cargo and Chennai Airport; and ICDs Talegaon Pune, Tughlakabad, Faridabad and Garhi Harsaru. Second-hand vehicles are restricted to Mumbai port only.
DGFT Notification 18/2015-20 dated 12-07-2018 · DGFT Notification 59/2023-24 dated 12-02-2024 · ITC (HS) Chapter 87, Condition 1
2
Obtain a Homologation Certificate (or Type Approval certificate per Condition 7 of ITC (HS) Chapter 87) establishing compliance with Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 requirements, including right-hand drive configuration, kilometre speedometer, and photometry of headlamps. Upload this certificate and all supporting documents in e-Sanchit before filing the bill of entry.
ITC (HS) Chapter 87, Conditions 2 and 7 · Motor Vehicles Act, 1988

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is sourcing a homologation certificate that satisfies the exporting country's type-approval regime but does not address the India-specific technical parameters — right-hand drive, kilometre-graduated speedometer, and Indian photometric standards for headlamps. Customs officers verify each parameter individually at the designated port; a consignment arriving with a generic type-approval document but without India-specific photometric compliance data is detained pending re-examination, accruing demurrage and ground rent throughout.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8716 31 00 require BIS certification?

No, tanker trailers and tanker semi-trailers are not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) Restricted-import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under Notifications 18/2015-20 and 59/2023-24, with Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 technical compliance and designated-port restrictions as operative conditions.

Can second-hand tanker trailers be imported through any of the notified seaports?

No. Second-hand vehicles under Chapter 87 are permitted only through Mumbai port, subject to ITC (HS) Chapter 87 Condition 1; routing a used tanker trailer through any other notified port renders the import non-compliant and liable to detention.

What happens if the Homologation Certificate does not cover all India-specific technical parameters?

Customs may refuse out-of-charge clearance and detain the consignment at the port of import pending production of a compliant certificate, with demurrage and ground rent running until the deficiency is remedied or the consignment is re-exported.

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