Imported bikes in India

Amongst bike aficionados in India, imported bikes enjoy a cult status. Overlooking the price factor, high performance superbikes enjoy quite a lot of attention amongst the cash-rich, style-savvy Indian youth. Since the Indian manufacturers are yet to come up with genuine high-speed superbikes, these mean machines are imported from around the world to quench the 'thrust', of the power 'thrusty' bikers. Some of the popularly imported bikes in India are: When importing bikes, one is required to shell out 105% duty for a brand new one while for a used one the duty charges stand at 100 %. The quantitative restrictions on import of second hand vehicles were eased with the implementation of the Exim Policy 2001.

The following rules laid down by the Government of India have to be abided by while importing vehicles in India:

New Imported Vehicle

I. A new imported vehicle shall mean that the vehicle:

a) prior to its importation in India, has not been sold, leased or loaned.

b) has not been assembled or manufactured in India

c) has not been, prior to its importation in India, registered for use in any country according to the laws of that country.

II. The following conditions have to be abided, by the imported new vehicle:

• The new vehicle shall

• have right hand steering and controls ( not applicable for two and three wheelers).

• have a speedometer, measuring the speed in Km/h.

• be imported from the country of the manufacturer and

• be equipped with photometry of the headlamps to suit "keep-left" traffic norms.

• The import of the new vehicles shall be permitted only through the Customs ports at Nhava Sheva (Mumbai), Chennai and Calcutta.

c) In addition to the above rules, the new vehicle should also conform to the rules laid down by the Motor Vehicles Act, 1998 and abide by them as applicable on the date of import.

Second Hand Vehicle

.I. A used or second hand vehicle shall mean that the vehicle:

a) prior to its launch in India has been registered for use in any other country according to the laws of that country.

• has been leased, loaned or sold prior to its importation in India.

II. The following conditions have to be abided by the imported second hand vehicle:

• The used or second hand vehicle should not be more than three years old from the date of manufacture.

• The used or second hand vehicle shall:

• have a speedometer, measuring the speed in Km/h.

• be equipped with photometry of the headlamps to suit "keep-left" traffic norms.

• have right hand steering and controls ( not applicable for two and three wheelers).

c) The import of the used or second hand vehicles shall be permitted only through the Customs port at Nhava Sheva (Mumbai).

d) In addition to the above rules, the used or second hand vehicle should also conform to the rules laid down by the Motor Vehicles Act, 1998 and abide by them as applicable on the date of import.

e) The imported used or second hand vehicle has to be

submitted for testing at the following agencies or as may be specified by the Central Government for obtaining a certificate by that agency certifying that the vehicle is in full compliance with the rules laid down by the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The names of the authorized agencies are:

• Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (VRDE), Ahmednagar, of the Ministry of Defence.

• Automotive Research Association of India, Pune.

• Central Farm and Machinery Training and Testing Institute, Budni, Madhya Pradesh.
f) The second hand or used vehicle should have roadworthiness for a minimum period of 5 years from the date of importation into India with assurance of providing service facilities within the country during the five year period. Further, at the time of importation, the importer shall submit a declaration indicating the period of roadworthiness in respect of every single vehicle that is being imported into India along with a certificate issued by any of the testing agencies listed above or any other authorized agency which the Central Government might notify in this regard.