[Bluebeem]

Hi,

I'm contemplating on importing a mazda 2015 MX-5. i'm looking for some guidance around the import procedure, Charges, Bottlenecks & Approvals that i may have to go through. Along with the cost of taxes and logistics.

This is going to be my first import. So any help will be much appreciated.

Mods, feel free to merge this into an existing thread - couldn't locate one.

[stanjohn123]

Originally Posted by Bluebeem

Hi,

I'm contemplating on importing a mazda 2015 MX-5. i'm looking for some guidance around the import procedure, Charges, Bottlenecks & Approvals that i may have to go through. Along with the cost of taxes and logistics.

This is going to be my first import. So any help will be much appreciated.

Mods, feel free to merge this into an existing thread - couldn't locate one.

Just know that you can only import right hand drive car's in India. Duty will be around 120%.

Please read the link below for more info

http://www.vicky.in/blog/what-should...ing-a-carbike/

[GTO]

Doesn't make sense at all.

1. You have a large variety of CBUs now officially on sale in India with warranty, service backup, finance etc. Why bother with a car or brand that has zero presence in India? It's just asking for trouble. Sure, I'd understand if it was a McLaren, but a Miata? As nice as the Miata is, there are some terrific roadsters on sale in India....officially.

2. I believe the $40,000 rule is still in place. That is, cars costing above 40k don't need to go through the full homologation process. Cars costing less than that do. Trouble for you as the MX-5, even with all options, is under 40k.

3. If you're looking for open-top fun, let me recommend the Mini Cooper, BMW Z4 or Porsche Boxster to you. All on sale in India with full backup. And all are fun to drive!

For reference, pasting an article here that I'd written a long time back. NOTE: Some rules might have changed since.

The basics:

• The car has to be a right-hand-drive. Left-hand drive automobiles are prohibited from entering the country (except for consulates and some other special categories).
• The Indian Government has entirely banned individuals importing cars whose engine capacity ranges from 1000 - 2500 cc.
• New Cars can be imported via the customs port at Mumbai, Calcutta and Chennai.
• Used cars can be imported from the Mumbai port only. Also, the used car cannot be older than three years (from the date of manufacture). The Exim policy of 2001 lifted quantitative restrictions on importing used cars.

On customs duty:

• The ex-factory price is used for calculating customs duty.
• The customs duty is a standard 102.16% on new cars
• The customs duty is pegged at 159.87% on used cars.
• To view the depreciation table of used cars, click here : Linky.
• Completed knocked down cars attract a customs duty of anywhere between 38 to 48%.
• Under the EPCG scheme, hotels / hospitality establishments are subject to minimal duty / taxes. However, they are subject to certain foreign exchange requirements.
• If you import from Europe, you will get a refund of the VAT (value added tax).

On transfer of residence:

• The most popular way of importing a car to India is via the “Transfer of residence” clause, where any Indian (settled abroad) who is relocating to India can get his car along. He should have owned the car for atleast 12 months in the foreign country. Upon import, the car cannot be sold for 2 years (from the date of import).
• The NRI importing the car should have lived overseas for atleast a 2 year duration.
• The payment for the car should have been made abroad.
• The car must be imported within 6 months of the NRIs arrival into India.
• Under this scheme, the customs duty must be paid in foreign exchange. If a handicapped person is importing the car, then the customs duty may be paid in Indian rupees. Official permission is required before selling the car in India.

On who can import

• Any individual can import a car whose value is more than USD 40000. There are no restrictions on the imports of these cars. So as most of the exotics are above that value, they can be imported freely and not necessarily on T.R.
• Foreign nationals (including persons of Indian origin) married to Indian nationals. The methodology adopted by Customs authorities in assessing duty on a motor vehicle is based on the ex-factory price on the date of original purchase. Adjustments are made for:

1) Foreign nationals working in India.
2) Branch/Offices of foreign firms, Companies and institutions established in India.
3) Companies incorporated in India having foreign/NRI equity
4) Accredited Journalists/Correspondents of foreign news agencies.
5) Indian firms executing contracts abroad.
6) Charitable and Missionary Institutions.
7) Physically handicapped persons.
8) Honorary Consuls of Foreign Governments.

On paperwork and documentation required:

• Cars costing more than $40,000 do NOT have to undergo homologation from the ARAI. If the cars value is less than $40,000, the vehicle has to be submitted for testing to the VRDE (Vehicle Research and Development Establishment), Ahmednagar, of the Ministry of Defence or the ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India), Pune or the Central Farm and Machinery Training and Testing Institute, Madhya Pradesh or any other notified testing agency by the Government.
• 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 the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
• The second hand or used vehicle imported into India should have a minimum roadworthiness for a period of 5 years from the date of importation into India with assurance for providing service facilities within the country during the five year period. For this purpose, 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.

Miscellany:

• What’s listed above is what the rules say. Please don’t state that you saw a LHD (or something similar) since these rules are broken consistently. Bribing is rampant and some of the rules you read above may have been bypassed (unfortunately).
• Beware of dealer rackets. There have been several well-documented cases of an imported car dealer manipulating the import documentation. In case the long arms of law catch up, it is the owner (and not the dealer) who is liable to pay duties, taxes and fines.
• The rebadging racket is rampant in order to qualify for lower custom duties. For e.g. a BMW M5 may be rebadged to a BMW 525 and thus show a lower invoice price.
• It’s best to hire the services of a competent and reputable clearing agent who is well familiar with the process of importing a car. This can save you a lot of running around and headaches.
• Since the customs duty on spare parts or completely knocked down kits is significantly lower, it is not uncommon for an importer to strip a car (of seats, headlights, tyres etc) and document it as a CKD.

Official websites:

• http://www.dgftmumbai.nic.in/
• http://www.mumbaicustoms.gov.in/
• http://www.indian-embassy.dk/Pages/i...20of%20car.htm

[Bluebeem]

Originally Posted by GTO

Doesn't make sense at all.

1. You have a large variety of CBUs now officially on sale in India with warranty, service backup, finance etc. Why bother with a car or brand that has zero presence in India? It's just asking for trouble. Sure, I'd understand if it was a McLaren, but a Miata? As nice as the Miata is, there are some terrific roadsters on sale in India....officially.

2. I believe the $40,000 rule is still in place. That is, cars costing above 40k don't need to go through the full homologation process. Cars costing less than that do. Trouble for you as the MX-5, even with all options, is under 40k.

3. If you're looking for open-top fun, let me recommend the Mini Cooper, BMW Z4 or Porsche Boxster to you. All on sale in India with full backup. And all are fun to drive!

For reference, pasting an article here that I'd written a long time back. NOTE: Some rules might have changed since.

Thanks Buddy, this helps. I'm basically looking for a fast peppy car below the 30 lac mark. Something that obviously looks good as well. And the cooper S costs at least 8-9 lacs more. the GLA and A class and all don't make the cut.

Cant think of any other small daily driver within that price range.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by Bluebeem

I'm basically looking for a fast peppy car below the 30 lac mark.

The MX-5 would cost you well over that amount, if you were able to import it.

For 30 lakhs, there's only one term I have for you = pre-worshipped . Lots of previous generation Coopers, including the immensely talented S version.

[shyn]

Originally Posted by Bluebeem

Thanks Buddy, this helps. I'm basically looking for a fast peppy car below the 30 lac mark. Something that obviously looks good as well. And the cooper S costs at least 8-9 lacs more. the GLA and A class and all don't make the cut.

Cant think of any other small daily driver within that price range.

Originally Posted by GTO

The MX-5 would cost you well over that amount, if you were able to import it.



For 30 lakhs, there's only one term I have for you = pre-worshipped . Lots of previous generation Coopers, including the immensely talented S version.

Like GTO said, pre-worshipped is the best choice. I am sure there must be a few old Miatas up for sale. Hyderabad has a couple roaming about (though not for sale AFAIK). One of them apparently changed hands for 17 lakhs. And there was a Mazda RX8 up for sale till recently somewhere (not sure if it still is).
The point being, check the used car market thoroughly. There has to be something somewhere up for sale.

[Anand123]

Is there any difference in the customs duty when you import a car via TR?

[VSD]

There are many SLK's on sale in your specified budget. Few Z4's can also come around the budget if you browse thoroughly in the market and have good negotiation skills.
IMO Z4 is a lot of fun to drive and looks great too (compared to SLK).

[IshaanIan]

Go the pre-owned route. Get a happy faced 1st gen miata with the pop-up headlamps If you are into the miata's ethos, then even the 1st generation one will keep you very happy. You would save a lot of money and could tinker around with the car to your hearts content. If you're looking in the used market, do also keep an eye out for an S2000 drove one once owned by a neighbor and boy was it good; freaking epicly good.

[johannskaria]

A CKD import does make a lot more of sense then.
Subject to availability of expert mechanics and other facilities.

If a CKD is just

to strip a car (of seats, headlights, tyres etc)

, which are not highly technical parts then nothing like it.

[Divyendu Sharma]

Hi Importing a car is very tough and very expensive,Duty is around 120% and then you have to pay cess vat etc so total taxes come to be around 180% .Then you have to pay for clearance and registration.Another problem is that iDV is calculated on the price of the car from where you imported ,it does not count taxes you paid.

[Turbanator]

A CKD import does make a lot more of sense then.
Subject to availability of expert mechanics and other facilities.

What's that ? You need to first get cars homologated - setup a factory and then assemble - no person can just strip a car and put into a container to assemble back in India at concessional duties .

Best options as others suggested will be to check for preowned ones or find some unsold Mini inventory - I believe Gurgaon dealership has some interesting stuff - there warehouse at Gurgaon is shared with Triumph service centre - I do see few of these standing for years now probably .

[pedrolourenco]

What about the Audi A3 Cabriolet? Will be a bit above your budget though. However you will be able to get finance easily.

[quickdraw]

Originally Posted by Bluebeem

Thanks Buddy, this helps. I'm basically looking for a fast peppy car below the 30 lac mark. Something that obviously looks good as well. And the cooper S costs at least 8-9 lacs more. the GLA and A class and all don't make the cut.

Cant think of any other small daily driver within that price range.

When I was searching for a car, there were 2 brand new Mini Cooper's fully loaded for sale around the 28lakh mark. (New cost over 40) I'm sure the dealer will negotiate. These cars have never been registered and done around 500km if I remember correctly.

Link:
http://www.carwale.com/used/cars-in-...-2015-d888165/

http://www.carwale.com/used/cars-in-...per-s-d955906/

[Sem80-88]

Having imported a ZZR 600 1990 in 2012 and a 1991 500 SL this year under TR , I agree with GTO that it is better to source the vehicle here in India.
The duty I paid for the Bike was 1.25 lakh and for the car was 14.20 lakh.