[Spice Odyssey]

Hi
Anyone know the rules and restrictions of importing a motorbike from abroad?
it will be for an expat.. who will be living in India on business..
Anyone who can share some info on this??
Thnx

[john.sw]

A person can import one motorcycle on transfer of residence to India providing that the passenger meets the following criteria:

(1) Minimum stay of two years abroad, immediately preceding the date of his arrival on transfer of residence

(2) Total stay in India on short visits during the 2 preceding years should not exceed 6 months, and

(3) Passenger has not availed this concession in the preceding three years.

Here is my advice based on personal experience

• Have your Resident's Permit in place before the ship arrives in India

This shows that you have transferred your residence

• Do not arrive in India more than 30 days before your vehicle arrives

If you are already "resident" then they'll try to claim that you are not transferring your residence

• Do not send the bike on any vessel owned or operated by The Shipping Corporation of India Limited (A Government of India Enterprise).

These people are guaranteed to make life difficult for you.

• Bring it in through the Port of Mumbai

Other ports do not handle many vehicle imports and do not know the rules, making it overly complicated and expensive

• Make sure that the bill of lading shows only the motorcycle, and no other items.

If the bike is in a container with household goods, for example, the Customs will make a meal of it and  everything is likely to be delayed for months.

• Make sure that you have all the original documentation belonging to the bike from new.

Without all the original documentation, Customs will try to find ways of extracting more money from you

• If it is an older model, make sure that you have documentary evidence of its current value

This gives customs the opportunity to charge whatever they like in Duty.  The Government web site says 103.39% of CIF value (where C stands for the cost of the goods, I is the insurance and F is the freight) is the maximum that you will pay on a new vehicle.

On an older vehicle duty is subject to a maximum depreciation of 70%

Cost is arrived at by taking value of the new vehicle in its year of manufacture and then allowing depreciation at following rates.        
(i) For every quarter during 1st year - 4%
(ii) For every quarter during 2nd year - 3%
(iii) For every quarter during 3rd year - 2.5%
(iv) For every quarter during 4th year - and thereafter 2%
subject to a maximum depreciation of 70%

I was charged 300% of an independent valuation (that I had to pay Rs.15000 to have carried out without my knowledge or approval)

• Make sure that the engine number, chassis number, etc. match exactly the original documentation

If your bike has a replacement engine and the engine number doesn't match the documentation, Customs will pretend that (because of terrorism) you have to pay even more in bribes

• Be prepared to wait months

My vehicle was in the Bonded Warehouse in Madras for 6 months before it was released - accruing tens of thousands of rupees in demurrage charges

• Be prepared to pay highly

I was charged 300% duty on an "independent valuation" that Customs had some at my expense (Rs.15,000).  The valuation put a price on the vehicle three times higher than was realistic.

• Most of all - love you vehicle!

If you don't love that bike, don't import it into India - buy a Royal Enfield instead!