Licensed CHA guide to importing CNC machines, industrial robots, packaging lines, and manufacturing equipment. HS codes, duty rates, EPCG scheme, and step-by-step customs clearance from JNPT, Chennai, and Mundra.
Importing machinery to India attracts total effective duty of 28–30% of CIF value under standard rates, or ~18% under EPCG. The process takes 10–15 business days for new machines and 15–25 days for used equipment, including customs examination and inland delivery.
We clear CNC machines, injection moulding equipment, packaging lines, generators, industrial robots, textile machinery, and food processing equipment at major Indian ports. Each machine type falls under a specific HS code in Chapter 84 or 85, which determines the exact customs duty rate.
CNC machining centres (HS 8457): 3-axis, 4-axis, and 5-axis vertical and horizontal machining centres used in precision metalworking. Injection moulding machines (HS 8477): Plastic and rubber injection moulding equipment ranging from 50-ton to 2,000-ton clamping force. Metal-cutting lathes (HS 8458): CNC turning centres and manual lathes for automotive component manufacturing. Presses (HS 8462): Hydraulic and mechanical presses for sheet metal forming. Industrial robots (HS 8479): Articulated and SCARA robots for welding, painting, and assembly lines. Packaging machines (HS 8422): FFS machines, carton sealers, and pallet wrappers. Compressors (HS 8414): Rotary screw and reciprocating air compressors. Pumps (HS 8413): Centrifugal and positive displacement pumps for process industries. Electric motors (HS 8501): AC induction motors and servo motors. Generators (HS 8502): Diesel and gas gensets above 75 kVA. Transformers (HS 8504): Distribution and power transformers.
Import duty on machinery comprises BCD of 7.5%, SWS at 10% of BCD (0.75%), and IGST at 18%. Total effective duty is 28–30% of CIF value for most machines under Chapter 84 and 85, unless imported under EPCG at 0% BCD.
| Machinery type | HS code | BCD | IGST | Total effective duty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CNC machining centre | 8457 | 7.5% | 18% | ~29% |
| Injection moulding machine | 8477 | 7.5% | 18% | ~29% |
| Metal-cutting lathe | 8458 | 7.5% | 18% | ~29% |
| Hydraulic press | 8462 | 7.5% | 18% | ~29% |
| Industrial robot | 8479 | 7.5% | 18% | ~29% |
| Packaging machine | 8422 | 7.5% | 18% | ~29% |
| Air compressor | 8414 | 7.5% | 18% | ~29% |
| Electric motor | 8501 | 7.5% | 18% | ~29% |
| Generator | 8502 | 7.5% | 18% | ~29% |
| Transformer | 8504 | 7.5% | 18% | ~29% |
New machinery clears faster with fewer restrictions, while used machinery requires pre-shipment inspection, valuation certificates, and must be under 10 years old. Some categories have a 5-year age limit. Used machinery also faces higher scrutiny during customs examination.
| Aspect | New machinery | Used machinery |
|---|---|---|
| Customs duty | Same BCD 7.5% | Same BCD 7.5% |
| Age restriction | None | Under 10 years (5 years for some) |
| Inspection | Not required | Pre-shipment inspection mandatory |
| Valuation certificate | Not required | Required from approved agency |
| Clearance time | 7–10 days | 10–20 days |
Used machinery must be inspected by a DGFT-approved agency — Bureau Veritas, SGS, TÜV, or Intertek — before shipment. The inspection report verifies functional condition, year of manufacture, and residual life. A valuation certificate from the same agency establishes the fair market value for customs assessment. For machinery valued above ₹25 lakh, customs may require a second valuation by an Indian-approved valuer upon arrival.
China supplies 45% of India's machinery imports by volume, followed by Germany at 15%, Japan at 12%, and South Korea at 8%. Antidumping duties apply to specific products from China, such as solar cells and certain steel products, but not to general industrial machinery.
No antidumping duties apply to general industrial machinery such as CNC machines, injection moulding machines, or packaging equipment from China. However, specific products like solar cells (HS 8541), certain steel products, and chemicals do attract ADD. We verify the HS code against the DGTR antidumping database before every shipment. China-origin machinery is popular due to 20–30% lower pricing than European equivalents, though delivery and spare part availability can be less reliable.
German machinery — from brands like DMG Mori, TRUMPF, and Bosch — commands a premium for precision engineering and after-sales support. Japanese machinery — Fanuc, Mazak, Yaskawa — dominates in robotics and CNC controls. Both countries offer longer warranty periods (typically 24 months vs 12 months from China) and established service networks in India. The higher upfront cost is offset by lower downtime and higher resale value.
Clearing imported machinery requires eight steps from HS classification to warehouse delivery. The process takes 10–15 business days for new machines and 15–25 days for used equipment, including customs physical examination, duty payment, and inland transport arrangement.
Step 1 — Classify the Machinery: We identify the correct 8-digit HS code from technical specifications. Misclassification is the leading cause of disputes. Step 2 — Calculate Total Import Cost: We model CIF value, landing charges, BCD, SWS, and IGST to give you the exact landed cost. Step 3 — Check EPCG Eligibility: If you are a manufacturer, we apply for EPCG before shipping to save 7.5% BCD. Step 4 — Arrange Freight: FCL for heavy machines; air for urgent spares. Step 5 — Prepare Documents: Invoice, packing list, BL, test certificates, installation manual, and CE/UL certificates where applicable. Step 6 — File Bill of Entry: Filed on ICEGATE; high-value machinery is often selected for physical examination. Step 7 — Attend Customs Examination: Inspector verifies serial numbers, model, quantity, and condition against documents. Step 8 — Pay Duty and Take Delivery: After Out-of-Charge, we arrange crane hire and flatbed trucks for oversized items.
Machinery imports are delayed most often by incorrect HS codes, missing test certificates, lack of pre-shipment inspection for used equipment, and undeclared out-of-gauge dimensions. Each delay costs ₹25,000–₹75,000 per day in port demurrage.
Wrong HS code triggers re-assessment, differential duty demand, and penalty under Section 114A of the Customs Act. A laser cutting machine misclassified as a generic cutting tool can attract a 2.5% duty shortfall and 10–15% penalty on a ₹80 lakh shipment. Fix: classify before shipping using technical brochures and advance rulings.
Used machinery is held when the pre-shipment inspection certificate is missing, the machine exceeds age limits, or the valuation certificate is incomplete. Customs requires inspection from DGFT-approved agencies and age verification from year of manufacture. Fix: commission inspection and valuation before the machine leaves the supplier's premises.
A USD 1,00,000 CIF machine incurs approximately ₹23.3 lakh in total duty under standard rates. Under EPCG, the same machine costs ₹15.1 lakh in duty — a cash saving of ₹8.2 lakh at the time of import, deferred against future export obligations.
Without EPCG: CIF value USD 1,00,000 = ₹83,00,000 at 83 INR/USD. Landing charges at 1% = ₹83,000. Assessable value = ₹83,83,000. BCD at 7.5% = ₹6,28,725. SWS at 10% of BCD = ₹62,873. IGST at 18% on cumulative value = ₹16,33,428. Total duty = ₹23,25,026 (~28% of CIF).
With EPCG: BCD = ₹0. SWS = ₹0. IGST at 18% on assessable value = ₹15,08,940. Total duty = ₹15,08,940 (~18.2% of CIF). Cash saving = ₹8,16,086. Under EPCG, you commit to an export obligation of 6× duty saved = ₹37,68,516 in FOB exports over 6 years. For established exporters, this is easily achievable and preserves working capital.
Most machinery falls under Chapter 84 or 85 and attracts Basic Customs Duty (BCD) of 7.5%, plus Social Welfare Surcharge (SWS) of 0.75% (10% of BCD), and IGST of 18%. The total effective duty on a CIF value of ₹1 crore is approximately ₹28–30 lakhs. Manufacturers using the EPCG scheme pay 0% BCD, reducing total duty to ~18% (IGST only).
Key machinery HS codes under Chapter 84: CNC machining centres (8457), injection moulding machines (8477), metal-cutting lathes (8458), presses (8462), industrial robots (8479), packaging machines (8422), compressors (8414), pumps (8413). Electrical machinery under Chapter 85: motors (8501), generators (8502), transformers (8504). The exact 8-digit HS code determines the applicable BCD rate.
Yes, with conditions. Used machinery must be under 10 years old (from date of manufacture), have a pre-shipment inspection certificate from a DGFT-approved agency (e.g., Bureau Veritas, SGS, TÜV), and a valuation certificate. Some categories have a 5-year age limit. Machinery older than the allowed age requires a specific import licence.
Yes. CNC machining centres (HS 8457) attract BCD of 7.5% + SWS + IGST 18%. On a USD 50,000 CIF machine (approx. ₹41.5 lakh at 83 INR/USD), duty is approximately ₹12–13 lakh. Under EPCG, BCD drops to 0%, saving ₹3.1 lakh on this example.
Heavy machinery customs clearance at JNPT or Chennai typically takes 10–15 business days — 3 days for Bill of Entry processing, 2–5 days for physical examination scheduling, 1–2 days for examination, 2–3 days for duty payment and Out-of-Charge. Oversized OOG cargo adds 3–5 days for port and transport coordination.
Germany-origin manufacturing equipment (Chapter 84) attracts the same BCD of 7.5% as any other origin — India does not have an FTA with the EU that reduces machinery duty. Total effective duty is ~28–30% of CIF. EPCG scheme reduces this to ~18% (IGST only) regardless of origin country.