Quantitative Restrictions on imports of second-hand automobiles lifted. The remaining QRs on about 715 items that were being maintained for balance of payment (BoP) purposes have been removed.Exim policy stipulates that for new vehicles being imported into the country, the Vehicle should not be manufactured/ assembled in India, not been sold, leased or loaned prior to being imported to India; or should have been registered for use in any country prior to being imported to India. Vehicles should be imported only from the country of manufacture and should comply with CMVR, 1989.Imports of new cars would be allowed only through Mumbai port (Nhava Sheva), Kolkata and Chennai.Used vehicles being imported should not be more than three years old and conform to the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, (1989). Imported automobiles should have a minimum residual life of five years and the importer should ensure supply of spares and service during this period.
The government has decided to allow the entry of second hand vehicles into the country only through the Mumbai port. The commerce ministry has identified six categories of second hand vehicles having cylinder capacity of up to 3000 cc, which will now be allowed to be brought in through the Mumbai port. The six categories includes second hand or used motor cars and jeeps and landrovers.Import of left hand vehicles banned. The vehicles should necessarily have right-hand steering controls, a speedometer indicating the speed in kilometres and a photometry of the head-lamps to suit 'keep-left' traffic.For ensuring the requirements, pre-shipment as well as post-shipment of certification have been made mandatory.
The importing agency is expected, at the time of importation, to submit a certificate issued by a testing agency notified by the central government that the second hand vehicle being imported has been tested immediately before shipment and that the vehicle conforms to all the regulations specified in Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.The importer is also required to submit a certificate issue by a testing agency notified by government that the used vehicle being imported conforms to the original homologation certificate issued at the time of manufacture.
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, or other notified testing agency by the government.The policy totally bans the import of cars whose engine capacity ranges from 1000 to 2500cc. As far as two-wheelers go, scooters with an engine capacity of over 50cc to 500cc can be imported. Motorcycle engine capacity should be their engine capacity should be over 250 cc but not in excess of 800 cc.
