Importing a superbike from USA to India

shrini78 · 22nd February 2011, 09:49

I've already posted this in another thread before, but here it goes

"The definition of of a new bike is "one which has not been sold, leased prior to its import into India nor registered for use in any country prior to its import into India."

If you have already bought the bike and registered it in the US, it becomes used.

Secondly as I mentioned, import of new bikes is not allowed under TR. You can only import a bike under TR if you've owned the bike under your possession for more than a year.

A resident Indian can import a new bike only if it is over 800cc and provide customs with the Type Approval Certificate (provided by the manufacturer) and a couple of emission control certificates that comply with Euro III norms.

Depreciation is calculated by customs like this when you bring your bike on TR.

4.0 % per quarter in the 1st year x 4 quarters = 16% total
3.0 % per quarter in the 2nd year x 4 quarters = 12% total
2.5 % per quarter in the 3rd year x 4 quarters = 10% total
2.0 % per quarter in the 4th year x 4 quarters = 08% total
2.0 % per quarter in the 5th year x 4 quarters = 08% total
2.0 % per quarter in the 6th year x 4 quarters = 08% total
2.0 % per quarter in the 7th year x 4 quarters = 08% total

TOTAL = 70% depreciation

Add this above numbers to Current import duty which stands at approx 145% (depreciated value) when you bring your bike on TR.

So if someone imports a bike that is used 7 or more years, they pay duty on the depreciated value but since duty is charged on CIF (cost insurance & freight), customs will add the freight and insurance paid on the bike for shipping it to India and then charge duty on that value.

Hope this helps."

Finally do remember these above numbers might change (from a credible resource in customs) once the budget comes out for this year.I'd wait till March to ship out any bikes under TR to see whats the new value will be for bike import

Warhound · 28th March 2011, 12:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by shrini78

.I'd wait till March to ship out any bikes under TR to see whats the new value will be for bike import

Any idea if the rules have changed for motorcycles' TR in the new budget ?

Also, if one was to import a brand new bike, what are the present customs + tax ?

Its hard to fathom that a Harley Night Rod that costs 6.75 Lakh in US is close to 19+ in India.

Almost 3x the price.

dharmana · 28th June 2011, 18:53

you cannot beat the Indian law when it comes to importing bikes or cars and trying to evade taxes. The customs duty on imported bikes is huge so don't expect the govt to make it easy for you. They will get to your money at any cost.

Its best for you to sell off your bike there and get one here legally in authorized showrooms. Atleast you will have better after sales service and availability of spare parts. The price will be same whether you import one or buy it here.

ksanjee · 16th December 2011, 20:52

Folks -
I know this topic has been discussed under a dedicated thread - but I have a special situation;

I moved to BLR in July 2009 from the US. I have now decided to ship my bike from Calif. It is a Y2K model that I bought 2 years ago and has been stored in my sister's house.

I had shipped a container when I moved that qualified for TOR. But now, it is beyond that period [6mos] - so what rules apply and what are my options?

thanks
Krishna

shrini78 · 20th December 2011, 07:52

@ksanjee are you an NRI (meaning if you've an NRI valid account in IND) and if you can show your source of Income (earning) in other than INR than you may import a brand new motorbike @ 100% import duty..
If your bike is used then i'm not sure whether you'll be able to import it & lets say even if you have some contacts & import it then, boy you will be in for deeeeeep trouble (too much fine & penalty for the bike being not a brand new)

ksanjee · 21st December 2011, 10:55

@Shrini78 -
No I am no longer an NRI. I moved to BLR in 2009 after a couple of decades in the US. Will be good to chat with you on this topic.

I was even thinking of shipping a couple of bikes - but the duty etc. frightens me now.

Krishna

shrini78 · 21st December 2011, 12:10

Shipping one is over the hill task forget about shipping couple...
If you aint an NRI i'd suggest you to simply forget it...You are trying to go down a path which is tedious/cumbersome & not fruitful..

Sorry to discourage you but sometime truth is bitter

Hammer & Anvil · 21st December 2011, 12:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by shrini78

Shipping one is over ...
tedious/cumbersome & not fruitful..
...truth is bitter

1. Unfortunately I agree with Shrini. Sorry, sell the bike.
2. Forget the Forum for a moment, the one person who can help you will be a Customs-CHA. Speak to a imported bike parts dealer and ask him for a 'good CHA' and spend an afternoon with the CHA and work out the logistics. You could do a TR the next time your sister visits... but then the same foul up- bike should have been in her name etc.
3. Speak to a CHA.
4. Update us on the Forum, that would be a huge plus.

Thanks.
KD

shrini78 · 21st December 2011, 13:35

@ksanjee
Not all hope is lost...
I spoke to my CHA in Chennai about ur situation he tells me that, it's possible to bring the bike (you've to pay lotta fine & penalty) for doing this...
He is the best in business in chennai when it comes in clearing Bikes...

Have send you a PM, call me and will spill you the details...get in touch with him & he will do the rest...

OmThoke · 21st December 2013, 02:16

Hey I'm confused about the laws about importing NEW bikes - they say it's around 110% import (I'm NOT talking about ToR) duty on new 600+ cc bikes.

Now my bro is in US right now, and other one permanently lives in Cananda - if any of them were to buy 2013 BMW F 800 R whose MSRP is $10,600 (including ABS), then technically, I get to own it @ about $25k incl freight + insurance + invoice price - now I got to pay bloody KA road-tax in Bangalore that kinda burns holes in your pockets! So, essentially i still get to own it for like 17-18L, while new one is available around 16-17L (probably not this model, but there are others priced at 15L ex-showroom)

Is there any way to import a new one at LESSER price (I read some discussions about showing income in USD - I do earn in USD and i can show that on a monthly basis!)

And, what's the rule for bike and car accessories?

Technocrat · 21st December 2013, 03:17

Do note that they can bring it to India only under Transfer of Residence, they cant just buy it there & send it to India.

As for the laws, yes it better to either talk to an agent or someone who has done it to understand.

For accessories, you could buy from eBay & get it shipped. Some might attract import charges but not all.

BowMan · 19th October 2018, 20:59

Bringing alive a dormant topic. Just noticed this recent Video. Seems things have not moved much for the better. The poor guy looks really exasperated.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYRqI_39m-c

.

shrini78 · 29th October 2018, 23:56

I've told time and again to mods of teambhp to make my thread as a sticky one when it comes to importing a bike from overseas on TR.
Guess the mods never respond and I keep getting many PM's in a month about bringing a bike on TR to India.
Rule # 1: If you drive LHD car, forget it and don't bring it to India unless you want it to leave it in impound shed
Rule # 2: TR things have changed for good (process is cumbersome) with new duty structure.

22nd February 2011, 09:49	#16
shrini78 BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 258 Thanked: 56 Times	Re: Importing a superbike from USA to India I've already posted this in another thread before, but here it goes "The definition of of a new bike is "one which has not been sold, leased prior to its import into India nor registered for use in any country prior to its import into India." If you have already bought the bike and registered it in the US, it becomes used. Secondly as I mentioned, import of new bikes is not allowed under TR. You can only import a bike under TR if you've owned the bike under your possession for more than a year. A resident Indian can import a new bike only if it is over 800cc and provide customs with the Type Approval Certificate (provided by the manufacturer) and a couple of emission control certificates that comply with Euro III norms. Depreciation is calculated by customs like this when you bring your bike on TR. 4.0 % per quarter in the 1st year x 4 quarters = 16% total 3.0 % per quarter in the 2nd year x 4 quarters = 12% total 2.5 % per quarter in the 3rd year x 4 quarters = 10% total 2.0 % per quarter in the 4th year x 4 quarters = 08% total 2.0 % per quarter in the 5th year x 4 quarters = 08% total 2.0 % per quarter in the 6th year x 4 quarters = 08% total 2.0 % per quarter in the 7th year x 4 quarters = 08% total TOTAL = 70% depreciation Add this above numbers to Current import duty which stands at approx 145% (depreciated value) when you bring your bike on TR. So if someone imports a bike that is used 7 or more years, they pay duty on the depreciated value but since duty is charged on CIF (cost insurance & freight), customs will add the freight and insurance paid on the bike for shipping it to India and then charge duty on that value. Hope this helps." Finally do remember these above numbers might change (from a credible resource in customs) once the budget comes out for this year.I'd wait till March to ship out any bikes under TR to see whats the new value will be for bike import Last edited by shrini78 : 22nd February 2011 at 09:54.
	(2) Thanks

28th June 2011, 18:53	#18
dharmana BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 76 Thanked: 9 Times	Re: Importing a superbike from USA to India you cannot beat the Indian law when it comes to importing bikes or cars and trying to evade taxes. The customs duty on imported bikes is huge so don't expect the govt to make it easy for you. They will get to your money at any cost. Its best for you to sell off your bike there and get one here legally in authorized showrooms. Atleast you will have better after sales service and availability of spare parts. The price will be same whether you import one or buy it here. Last edited by dharmana : 28th June 2011 at 18:54.
	() Thanks

16th December 2011, 20:52	#19
ksanjee BHPian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: bangalore Posts: 139 Thanked: 477 Times View My Garage	Importing a Duc from the US under TOR after 3 years Folks - I know this topic has been discussed under a dedicated thread - but I have a special situation; I moved to BLR in July 2009 from the US. I have now decided to ship my bike from Calif. It is a Y2K model that I bought 2 years ago and has been stored in my sister's house. I had shipped a container when I moved that qualified for TOR. But now, it is beyond that period [6mos] - so what rules apply and what are my options? thanks Krishna Last edited by aah78 : 17th December 2011 at 08:58. Reason: Merged with existing.
	() Thanks

20th December 2011, 07:52	#20
shrini78 BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 258 Thanked: 56 Times	Re: Importing a superbike from USA to India @ksanjee are you an NRI (meaning if you've an NRI valid account in IND) and if you can show your source of Income (earning) in other than INR than you may import a brand new motorbike @ 100% import duty.. If your bike is used then i'm not sure whether you'll be able to import it & lets say even if you have some contacts & import it then, boy you will be in for deeeeeep trouble (too much fine & penalty for the bike being not a brand new)
	() Thanks

21st December 2011, 10:55	#21
ksanjee BHPian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: bangalore Posts: 139 Thanked: 477 Times View My Garage	Re: Importing a superbike from USA to India @Shrini78 - No I am no longer an NRI. I moved to BLR in 2009 after a couple of decades in the US. Will be good to chat with you on this topic. I was even thinking of shipping a couple of bikes - but the duty etc. frightens me now. Krishna
	() Thanks

21st December 2011, 12:10	#22
shrini78 BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 258 Thanked: 56 Times	Re: Importing a superbike from USA to India Shipping one is over the hill task forget about shipping couple... If you aint an NRI i'd suggest you to simply forget it...You are trying to go down a path which is tedious/cumbersome & not fruitful.. Sorry to discourage you but sometime truth is bitter
	(1) Thanks

21st December 2011, 13:35	#24
shrini78 BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 258 Thanked: 56 Times	Re: Importing a superbike from USA to India @ksanjee Not all hope is lost... I spoke to my CHA in Chennai about ur situation he tells me that, it's possible to bring the bike (you've to pay lotta fine & penalty) for doing this... He is the best in business in chennai when it comes in clearing Bikes... Have send you a PM, call me and will spill you the details...get in touch with him & he will do the rest...
	() Thanks

21st December 2013, 02:16	#25
OmThoke BHPian Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Bangalore Posts: 78 Thanked: 53 Times View My Garage	Re: Importing a superbike from USA to India Hey I'm confused about the laws about importing NEW bikes - they say it's around 110% import (I'm NOT talking about ToR) duty on new 600+ cc bikes. Now my bro is in US right now, and other one permanently lives in Cananda - if any of them were to buy 2013 BMW F 800 R whose MSRP is $10,600 (including ABS), then technically, I get to own it @ about $25k incl freight + insurance + invoice price - now I got to pay bloody KA road-tax in Bangalore that kinda burns holes in your pockets! So, essentially i still get to own it for like 17-18L, while new one is available around 16-17L (probably not this model, but there are others priced at 15L ex-showroom) Is there any way to import a new one at LESSER price (I read some discussions about showing income in USD - I do earn in USD and i can show that on a monthly basis!) And, what's the rule for bike and car accessories?
	() Thanks

21st December 2013, 03:17	#26
Technocrat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: GTA Posts: 14,813 Thanked: 2,700 Times	Re: Importing a superbike from USA to India Do note that they can bring it to India only under Transfer of Residence, they cant just buy it there & send it to India. As for the laws, yes it better to either talk to an agent or someone who has done it to understand. For accessories, you could buy from eBay & get it shipped. Some might attract import charges but not all. Last edited by Technocrat : 21st December 2013 at 03:29.
	() Thanks

29th October 2018, 23:56	#28
shrini78 BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 258 Thanked: 56 Times	Re: Importing a superbike from USA to India I've told time and again to mods of teambhp to make my thread as a sticky one when it comes to importing a bike from overseas on TR. Guess the mods never respond and I keep getting many PM's in a month about bringing a bike on TR to India. Rule # 1: If you drive LHD car, forget it and don't bring it to India unless you want it to leave it in impound shed Rule # 2: TR things have changed for good (process is cumbersome) with new duty structure.
	() Thanks