Rules & Regulations for Importing Cars in India

Rules & Regulations for Importing Cars in India

India has big market for imported luxury cars. There is high demand for new cars as well as second-hand cars. The Exim Policy 2001 raised quantitative restrictions on the import of second-hand cars.

The import of vehicles shall be adhere to the following guidelines of the Government of India:

1. (I) A new imported vehicle should mean a vehicle that: -

* has not been manufactured / assembled in India; and
* has not been sold, leased or loaned prior to importation into India; or
* has not been registered for run in any country as per the laws of that country, prior to importation into India.

(II) The import of new vehicles shall be subject to the following conditions:

(a) The new vehicle should-

· contain a speedometer indicating the speed in km / h;

· contain right hand steering, and controls (applicable on vehicles other than two and three wheelers);

· contain photometry of the headlamps to suit “keep-left” traffic; and

· be imported from the country of manufacture.

(b) Additionally, the new vehicle should comply the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and the rules made therein, as applicable, on the date of import.

(c) The import of new vehicles should be allowed only through the Customs port at Nhava Sheva (Mumbai), Calcutta and Chennai.


2. (I) A second hand or used vehicle should mean a vehicle that :-

* must been sold, leased or loaned prior to importation into India; or
* must been registered for use in any country as per the laws of that country, prior to importation into India;

(II). The import of second had or used vehicles should be subject to the following conditions:-

* The second hand or used vehicle shall not be older than 3 years from the date of manufacture;
* The second hand or used vehicle shall:
* Contain right hand steering, and controls (applicable on vehicles other than two and three wheelers);
* Contain speedometer indicating the speed km / h; and
* Contain photometry of the headlamps to suit “keep left” traffic.

* (c) Additionally, the second hand or used vehicle should conform to the provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 and the rules made therein, as applicable, on the date of import.

* (d) Import of second hand vehicles shall be permitted only through the customs port at Mumbai.

* (e) The second hand or used vehicles imported into India shall have a minimum roadworthiness for a period of five years from the date of importation into India with assurance for offering service facilities within the nation during the five year period. For this cause, the importer shall, at the time of importation, submit a declaration indicating the period of roadworthiness in respect of every individual vehicle being imported, supported by a certificate issued by any of the testing agencies, which the Central Government may notify in this regard.

* (f) The vehicle has to be submitted for testing to Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (VRDE), Ahmednagar, of the Ministry of Defence or the Automotive Research Association of India, Pune or the Central Farm and Machinery Training and Testing Institute, Budni, Madhya Pradesh, and such other agencies as may be specified by the Central Government, for granting a certificate by that agency as to the compliance of the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and any rules made thereunder.Source : India Online