You can now import vintage cars 50 years or older
What's the story
The Indian government has updated its vintage car import policy, a move that is sure to make classic and vintage vehicle enthusiasts happy.
Earlier, only cars manufactured before 1950 were allowed for import. But now, under the new guidelines, cars 50 years or older can be imported without a license.
This means cars made until 1975 can be brought here, effectively extending the allowed import period by 25 years.
Rule
Rolling basis rule for imports
The revised policy works on a rolling basis. This means every year, the eligibility will be extended to cars made a year later.
For example, in 2026, cars made till 1976 will be eligible for import.
The age of the vehicle is calculated from the date of its first registration after initial sale.
This change paves way for importing iconic classics from Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, Porsche as well as American muscle cars.
Import regulations
Import costs and restrictions for vintage cars
While the import of these vintage cars is now license-free, it is not completely cost-free.
Users have to pay customs duty, GST, and registration fees which together come to around 250% of the car's invoice (traded) value.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade has strictly prohibited any resale of these imported vintage cars in India's domestic market.
These four-wheelers are meant only for personal use and cannot be traded under any circumstances.
Policy enforcement
Potential consequences of policy violation
The DGFT has cautioned that if anyone resells these cars, stricter conditions such as a five-year no-sale rule could be imposed in the future.
Further, cars meant for public road use must conform to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.
The policy revision is considered a major step for vintage car collectors in India and is also likely to generate more job opportunities for restorers.