Feb
15, 2011 -As per the exim policy, any new vehicle that is being imported into the country, should not be manufactured/ assembled in India, should not been leased, sold or loaned before being imported to India. The exim policy also states that the car should have been registered for use in any country before being imported to India. Vehicles should be imported only from the country of manufacture and should comply with CMVR, 1989.
Car Imports
Import Policy
Passenger cars or multi utility vehicles or jeeps which are in the restricted category of car importers can be imported to India without a license on payment of full Customs duty. The car importers that belong to this category include:
- People coming to India for settling in India permanently after two year's continuous stay abroad.
- Resident Indians presented with a car at an award competition or international event.
- Legal successors of deceased relatives staying abroad
- Physically handicapped persons
- Companies incorporated in India having foreign equity participation;
- Branches/offices of foreign firms
- Charitable/missionary institutions registered with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
- Honorary Consultants of Foreign Countries
- Journalists of foreign news agencies
All the above categories can import only one vehicle. However for Companies incorporated in India having foreign equity participation and Branches/offices of foreign firms, can import maximum of three vehicles. Physically handicapped persons shall be entitled to import only vehicles that are specially designed for use by handicapped. All such import shall carry a "NO SALE" condition of two years. All such imports shall not involve any foreign exchange remittance from India directly or indirectly.
Car Import to India: Rules
- Import of new cars is allowed only through Mumbai port, Kolkata and Chennai.
- Used vehicles being imported should follow the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (1989).
- Imported vehicles should have a minimum residual life of five years. All spares and service should be with the importer during this period.
- The GOI has allowed the entry of used vehicles into the country only through the Mumbai port. The commerce ministry has categorized second hand vehicles into 6 categories having cylinder capacity of up to 3000 cc. The six categories includes second hand or used motor cars and jeeps and landrovers.
- There is ban of left hand vehicles.
- At the time of importation, the importing agency needs to submit a certificate issued by a testing agency issued by the central government that the imported used vehicle has been tested immediately before shipment and that the vehicle conforms to all the regulations mentioned in Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
Custom Duty on Used Vehicles
| Vehicle | Basic Duty | Additional Duty | Spl. Adtl. Duty | Todal Duty |
| Cars | 105% | 32% | 4% | More than 150% |
Custom Duty on New Vehicles
| Vehicle | Basic Duty | Additional Duty | Spl. Adtl. Duty | Todal Duty |
| Cars | 60% | 32% | 4% | More than 110% |
