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Import export policy: Vehicles, aircraft and ships (HS 86 to 89)
Is import or export free, restricted or prohibited for vehicles, aircraft and ships? HS chapters 86 to 89: what each covers, DGFT policy lines, which licences apply and FY.
Official sources checked: 2 Oct 2026
Section XVII of the Harmonised System covers vehicles, aircraft and ships. For each chapter below you see what it covers, whether export or import is free, restricted or prohibited in the DGFT documents we read, which India-side licences usually apply, and the official trade values for FY 2025-26.
| HS chapter | Exports, US$ million | Imports, US$ million | Export policy | Import policy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 86: Railway equipment | 504 | 808 | Free in general | Free in general |
| 87: Vehicles | 25,973 | 9,358 | Has restricted, prohibited or STE lines | 1 restricted code(s) |
| 88: Aircraft and spacecraft | 1,666 | 13,659 | Free in general | 9 restricted code(s) |
| 89: Ships and boats | 4,111 | 4,560 | Free in general | 1 restricted code(s) |
Trade values are in US$ million for the financial year 2025-26 (April 2025 to March 2026), as published by TradeStat, Department of Commerce (data from DGCI&S) and fetched on 2026-10-02. They can be revised later. Shares and changes are calculated from those figures. Year-on-year change compares 2025-26 with 2024-25.
"Free in general" means we found no restricted, prohibited or STE line for this chapter. Policy changes by DGFT notification. The import notes come from DGFT's lists of restricted (407 codes) and prohibited (88 codes) imports, both as on 12 June 2019. The export notes come from DGFT's chapter-wise export schedule, 2021 edition. Check your 8-digit code on DGFT's policy search for the current position.
Chapter by chapter
Chapter 86: Railway equipment
Locomotives, wagons, coaches and railway track fittings.
Exports from India
FY 2025-26: US$ 504 million, +41.2% on 2024-25. Largest destinations (US$ million): USA (89), Guinea (73), Sweden (52), Germany (48).
- No restricted, prohibited or STE line found for this chapter in the schedule we read.
Usually needed: EEPC India
Chapter 87: Vehicles
Cars, motorcycles, trucks, tractors, auto parts and accessories.
Exports from India
FY 2025-26: US$ 25,973 million, +14.7% on 2024-25. Largest destinations (US$ million): USA (2,467), Mexico (1,923), South Africa (1,872), Saudi Arabia (1,561).
- Vintage motor cars made before 1 January 1950 and vintage motorcycles made before 1 January 1940, with their parts, are Restricted: exports permitted under licence.
Usually needed: EEPC India, DGFT policy lines
Imports into India
FY 2025-26: US$ 9,358 million, +13.3% on 2024-25. Largest sources (US$ million): China (2,869), Japan (1,604), Germany (1,052), South Korea (867).
- Restricted: armoured tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles.
Usually needed: BIS (check list), DGFT policy lines
Chapter 88: Aircraft and spacecraft
Aeroplanes, helicopters, drones, spacecraft and parts.
Exports from India
FY 2025-26: US$ 1,666 million, -76.1% on 2024-25. Largest destinations (US$ million): USA (516), France (303), UK (186), Germany (97).
- No restricted, prohibited or STE line found for this chapter in the schedule we read.
Usually needed: FIEO
Imports into India
FY 2025-26: US$ 13,659 million, -1.8% on 2024-25. Largest sources (US$ million): France (3,852), Germany (2,681), USA (1,901), UAE (1,899).
- Restricted (9 codes): gliders, balloons, helicopters and aeroplanes.
Usually needed: DGFT policy lines
Chapter 89: Ships and boats
Ships, boats, floating structures and parts.
Exports from India
FY 2025-26: US$ 4,111 million, -4.3% on 2024-25. Largest destinations (US$ million): Singapore (1,407), UAE (1,314), Sri Lanka (334), Oman (176).
- No restricted, prohibited or STE line found for this chapter in the schedule we read.
Usually needed: FIEO
Imports into India
FY 2025-26: US$ 4,560 million, -1.4% on 2024-25. Largest sources (US$ million): Singapore (1,115), UAE (1,046), Sri Lanka (635), Japan (253).
- Restricted: warships.
Usually needed: DGFT policy lines
Common questions
Is export of vehicles, aircraft and ships free?
Is import of vehicles, aircraft and ships free?
Where do I check the current policy?
Is Govt License a government website?
Related guides
Official sources for this page
- DGFT list of restricted items for import (407 codes, as on 12 June 2019)
- DGFT list of prohibited items for import (88 codes, updated 12 June 2019)
- DGFT ITC (HS) Schedule 2: chapter-wise Export Policy (2021 edition)
- DGFT ITC (HS) 2022 Schedule 1: General Notes regarding Import Policy
- DGFT ITC (HS) Schedule 2: General Notes to Export Policy
- DGFT Appendix 2T: list of Export Promotion Councils and Commodity Boards
- TradeStat, Department of Commerce (data from DGCI&S)
- DGFT ITC (HS) import and export policy search