How to import a bike at indian border?
 

hello,
does anyone know how to import a motorcycle to India? i have moved to india on a 5yr student visa. i am buying a bike in Turkey and doing the overland trip to India in oct/nov. I will have a carnet for the countries i go through. but does anyone know how to import the bike to India (and get it registered in india) if it comes in across the land border?
any help will be greatly appreciated.

nat

Hi Nat, and welcome to the HUBB!

Unfortunately, I have more questions than answers for you:

How are you purchasing the bike in Turkey? Have you researched this thoroughly so you know it is possible? Is it already arranged? Where will it be registered, if you aren't resident in Turkey?

Who is issuing the carnet for you? Many auto associations now refuse to issue carnets for non-residents. Do you know what it will cost? As India has one of the highest duty rates in the world, your deposit for the carnet will be very high.

We know of people who have purchased bikes in India (i.e. Enfields) and registered them there, but no one who has brought one into the country and tried to register it. But I can tell you that you will have to pay all duties and taxes (and you might be shocked at how expensive those would be) and get all paperwork done, then send documentation back to the carnet issuing association to try to get your carnet deposit returned.

Are you sure you wouldn't prefer to just buy an Enfield when you get to India if you're going to stay there for 5 years?

Anyone else have a different opinion on this?

Susan


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Susan Johnson

'One world, two wheels'
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

i agree with susan. indian roads are suited to enfields (the fastest thing on the road at about 50kmh) or the 100cc approx jap bikes made in india.

would imagine the bureaucracy to sort an importation, even if it were possible, to be a nightmare not worth contemplating. n.b. india has 500% import tax.
ChrisB