Import norms eased for certified foreign vehicles

New Delhi: India will allow a limited number of internationally certified motor vehicles to be imported without mandatory prototype testing, easing market access for overseas automakers.

The exemption will apply to a capped number of completely built units (CBUs) and completely knocked down units (CKDs), subject to submission of a compliance certificate, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said.

The move is expected to aid hassle-free imports of European vehicles into the country following the India-European Union trade deal.


The exemption will apply annually to up to 2,500 units of M1 passenger vehicles, or L-category vehicles such as motorcycles, and up to 500 units of other vehicle categories, provided the imports comply with European (EEC or ECE) or Japanese standards and are supported by a certificate of compliance from an authorised or accredited agency. M1 vehicles include passenger cars with seating capacity of up to eight, while the L category covers motorcycles.

European certification-commonly referred to as E-mark or Whole Vehicle Type Approval (WVTA)-is a mandatory safety and environmental requirement for vehicles sold in the European Economic Area.

"Compliance of such vehicles shall be deemed to be established for sale and registration under rule 47 by a certificate of compliance for the relevant standard," the ministry said, referring to unused right-hand-drive CBUs and CKDs meeting EEC, ECE or Japanese norms.

The exemption, however, comes with additional conditions.

Importers of gasoline-fuelled M1 and L-category vehicles equipped with positive ignition engines will be required to submit a Type-I exhaust emission compliance report conducted on E20 reference fuel, along with a declaration confirming material compatibility with E20 fuel, the notification said.