Machinery and parts

Import auto parts

Car, bus and truck parts pay 15% BCD; tractor parts 10%. IGST is a uniform 18% on auto parts from 22 Sep 2025.

Free to importHS 8708

Basic customs duty: 10–15%
Social welfare surcharge: 10% of BCD
IGST: 18%
India’s imports, 2025-26: US$ 6.97 bn

The CBIC tariff rate for 8708 lines is 15%. Notification 45/2025-Customs (S. No. 327) sets 10% for 8708 goods other than parts of motor vehicles of headings 8702 to 8704 — so car, bus and truck parts stay at 15%, while tractor parts get 10%. From 22.09.2025 the GST Council set a uniform 18% on auto parts regardless of HS code (a few listed tractor parts are at 5%). Budget 2026–27 made no change to chapter 87. CBIC — Notification 45/2025-Customs dated 24.10.2025 (BCD exemptions) ↗

What is imported

Brakes, gearboxes, clutches, axles, radiators, bumpers, wheels and other parts are imported by vehicle makers, component makers and aftermarket traders. Buying for the aftermarket is common for older or imported vehicle models. The main questions are the correct 8-digit code, the BIS or type-approval rule for safety parts, and anti-dumping duty on some items.

Import policy · Free to import

Free under ITC(HS) for new parts. Used parts and second-hand goods follow FTP Chapter 2 conditions.

Licences and registrations you need

BIS / MoRTH (QCO and type approval)Some safety-related vehicle components need BIS certification under a Quality Control Order or type approval under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules. Check your part on the BIS list before ordering.bis.gov.in ↗
Legal MetrologyParts sold in retail packs need the importer’s name and address, MRP and other declarations, and importer registration under the Packaged Commodities Rules.consumeraffairs.nic.in ↗

What is checked at the port

Classification: many parts belong in chapters 40, 84 or 85 (tyres, engines, filters, lamps, wiring), not 8708.
Which vehicle the part is for — it decides 15% or 10%.
Brand markings: fake branded parts are seized under intellectual property rules.

Practical tips

Ask the supplier for the part number list with the HS code they use, then confirm each code yourself.
Check CBIC’s anti-dumping notifications for your part and producer before you sign.
Parts from Thailand, Japan or South Korea may qualify for a preferential rate with a valid certificate of origin.

Where new importers go wrong

Putting all parts under one 8708 code to simplify the bill of entry.
Importing unbranded copies of branded parts — a trademark complaint stops the consignment.

Sources (8)

Import data

Where India buys auto parts

India’s imports from the Department of Commerce’s TradeStat, country by country. US$, financial years.

Imports, 2025-26: US$ 6.97 bn
Change from 2024-25: +9.8%
Supplying countries: 79
Biggest supplier: China

Where India imports auto parts from — among our 30 countries, 2025-26

India’s auto parts imports · US$ million

Biggest supplying countries

Name2025-26Change

1ChinaUS$ 1.82 bn+24.8%

2JapanUS$ 1.37 bn+43.5%

3South KoreaUS$ 859 mn+13.9%

4GermanyUS$ 792 mn-11%

5United States of AmericaUS$ 465 mn-11.7%

6ThailandUS$ 351 mn+14.5%

7SingaporeUS$ 202 mn-33.2%

8CzechiaUS$ 150 mn+21.8%

9United KingdomUS$ 128 mn-2.1%

10VietnamUS$ 125 mn+57.9%

11ItalyUS$ 97.9 mn+3.9%

12SwedenUS$ 85.5 mn-38.1%

Which sources are growing and shrinking

Growing sources

VietnamUS$ 79.5 mn → US$ 125 mn+57.9%
JapanUS$ 958 mn → US$ 1.37 bn+43.5%
ChinaUS$ 1.46 bn → US$ 1.82 bn+24.8%
CzechiaUS$ 123 mn → US$ 150 mn+21.8%
ThailandUS$ 307 mn → US$ 351 mn+14.5%
South KoreaUS$ 754 mn → US$ 859 mn+13.9%

Shrinking sources

IndonesiaUS$ 130 mn → US$ 79.6 mn-38.8%
SwedenUS$ 138 mn → US$ 85.5 mn-38.1%
SingaporeUS$ 302 mn → US$ 202 mn-33.2%
United States of AmericaUS$ 526 mn → US$ 465 mn-11.7%
GermanyUS$ 890 mn → US$ 792 mn-11%

Which forms come in, and at what price

Imports by 8-digit tariff line, 2025-26. Average price = total value ÷ total quantity.

Tariff line	Value 2025-26	Change	Quantity	Average price
Otr prtsandaccssrs of vehicles of hdg 8701-8705`8708 99 00`	US$ 2.43 bn	+6%	2,34,356 tonnes	US$ 10.37 per kg
Vehicle parts, gear boxes and parts thereof — gear boxes`8708 40 00`	US$ 1.84 bn	+16.2%	1,28,531 tonnes	US$ 14.31 per kg
Other parts and accssrs of bodies(including cabs)`8708 29 00`	US$ 753 mn	+15.4%	78,687 tonnes	US$ 9.58 per kg
Vehicle parts, brakes, servo-brakes and parts thereof — mounted brake linings`8708 30 00`	US$ 348 mn	+10.7%	31,650 tonnes	US$ 11.01 per kg
Drive axles with differential whether or not providedwith other transm...`8708 50 00`	US$ 325 mn	+7.7%	41,406 tonnes	US$ 7.84 per kg
Suspension shock absorbers`8708 80 00`	US$ 249 mn	+21.7%	27,765 tonnes	US$ 8.98 per kg
Clutches and parts thereof`8708 93 00`	US$ 242 mn	+5.7%	16,269 tonnes	US$ 14.85 per kg
Safety airbags with inflater system; parts thereof`8708 95 00`	US$ 233 mn	+9%	12,063 tonnes	US$ 19.31 per kg
Sterng wheels,sterng columns and sterng boxs`8708 94 00`	US$ 230 mn	+3.4%	15,534 tonnes	US$ 14.81 per kg
Bumpers etc. for other vehicles`8708 10 90`	US$ 72.4 mn	-1.7%	4,264 tonnes	US$ 16.98 per kg
Silencers and exhaust pipes`8708 92 00`	US$ 57.4 mn	-29.8%	2,874 tonnes	US$ 19.98 per kg
Road wheels and parts and accssrs thereof`8708 70 00`	US$ 57 mn	-1.5%	7,325 tonnes	US$ 7.78 per kg