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HS Code for Bicycle in India: Import Duty, BIS QCO and E-Bike Rules
By Abhishek Sadashiv · 16 years of experience in global logistics · Updated 5 October 2026 · 5 min read
Usual HS code for bicycle (import)
8712 00 10
Bicycles, not motorised. Pedal power is what keeps it here; add a motor and it moves to 8711.
India is one of the world's biggest bicycle markets, and most of it is made locally. But imported bicycles still matter: premium road and mountain bikes, folding bikes, and lightweight kids' cycles from China and Taiwan.
With bicycles, the code is rarely the problem. The problems are e-bikes being declared as plain bicycles, kits being declared as parts, and BIS rules that have been changing.
The usual HS code: 8712 00 10
| Level | Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter | 87 | Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling stock |
| Heading | 8712 | Bicycles and other cycles (including delivery tricycles), not motorised |
| Subheading | 8712 00 | All of the above (one subheading) |
| Tariff item | 8712 00 10 | Bicycles |
The key words are not motorised. A road bike, mountain bike, hybrid, folding bike or kids' bicycle with proper wheels and gearing all fit here. Other non-motorised cycles, like delivery tricycles, use the "other" line under 8712 00.
Why not 8714 (parts) or 8711 60 (e-bikes)?
Two mix-ups come up again and again:
- 8714 for kits. Some importers ship frames, wheels and groupsets in separate boxes and declare them as parts. But if the shipment has everything needed to make complete bicycles, the classification rules treat unassembled or partly assembled bicycles as bicycles. Customs looks at what arrives in the container, not how it's packed.
- 8711 60 for e-bikes. If there's an electric motor, even a pedal-assist one, it's no longer 8712. Electric cycles go under 8711 60, with different duty and their own rules. Declaring an e-bike as a plain bicycle is a serious problem if caught.
The third one: toy cycles. Very small children's cycles designed as toys (for example, balance bikes or tricycles for toddlers) can belong in 9503 as wheeled toys rather than 8712.
What decides the final code
- Motor or no motor: any electric assist moves it to 8711.
- Complete or kit: a full set of components is classified as bicycles.
- Bicycle or toy: small toddler cycles and tricycles may be toys under 9503.
- Bicycle or other cycle: delivery tricycles and similar cycles use the "other" line.
- Parts only: genuine spare parts (just saddles, just tyres) go to 8714 or their own headings.
Not sure which line your bicycle falls under?
Describe it or snap a photo. EximSetu asks the 2–4 questions that change the code, then gives the 8-digit HS code with reasoning, the duty in rupees and the compliance checklist.
Check my bicycle →How import duty is worked out
Duty is calculated on the assessable value (CIF in rupees): Basic Customs Duty, then the Social Welfare Surcharge on that duty, then IGST on the total. Bicycle duty has been kept relatively high to protect India's own industry, and preferential rates may apply from some FTA partners with a valid certificate of origin. Rates change by notification, so check on the day you file.
Run your exact bicycle through a lookup, or use the free import duty calculator. For a premium bike, the landed cost calculator will show the full cost after freight and charges.
Compliance checklist for bicycles
| Requirement | Status | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| BIS QCO for bicycles (IS 10613) | 🟠 Check | A Bicycle QCO under the safety standard IS 10613 has been issued, with the ISI mark needed for import once it's in force. Check the current status and implementation date for your shipment. |
| Retro-reflective devices QCO | 🟠 Check | Bicycle reflectors have been under a separate QCO since 2023. Check that reflectors fitted on your bikes are ISI-marked. |
| Legal Metrology | 🔴 For retail packs | Importer name and address, MRP, month and year of import and customer care details on the product or pack. |
| Certificate of origin (FTA) | 🟠 Check | Only if you want a preferential duty rate. |
| E-bike rules | 🟢 Not required | Only for motorised cycles, which go under 8711 with their own approvals. |
🔴 Mandatory · 🟠 Check · 🟢 Not required
Mistakes that cost importers money
- Declaring complete bike kits as parts to get a different rate.
- Declaring pedal-assist e-bikes as bicycles.
- Ignoring the BIS QCO timeline and landing stock just after the ISI mark becomes mandatory.
- Fitting non-ISI reflectors on otherwise compliant bikes.
My advice
For bicycles, the code is the easy part. Spend your time on BIS: ask your supplier whether they hold, or are applying for, a BIS licence under IS 10613, and plan your orders around the QCO date. If your range includes kids' cycles, folding bikes or anything with a motor, check each one with a lookup before you order.
Get the exact code and duty for your bicycle
Every variant is different. Answer 2–4 questions and get the 8-digit code with reasoning, duty in rupees and the compliance checklist in minutes.
Check my bicycle free →Written by
16 years of experience in global logistics
Built EximSetu after 16 years in global logistics, watching shipments get held, reassessed or delayed because of a wrong HS code or a missed compliance step. Every guide here is written from that experience, for the people who actually move cargo.
Frequently asked questions
▸What is the HS code for a bicycle in India?
A non-motorised bicycle is usually classified under 8712 00 10. Other non-motorised cycles, like delivery tricycles, use the other line under 8712 00.
▸What is the HS code for an electric bicycle?
Electric bicycles, including pedal-assist ones, are classified under 8711 60 as cycles with an electric motor, not under 8712.
▸Do imported bicycles need BIS certification in India?
A Bicycle Quality Control Order under IS 10613 has been issued, requiring the ISI mark once in force, and reflectors already have their own QCO. Check the current status before importing.
▸Can I import bicycle kits as parts to save duty?
Usually not. If the shipment contains all the parts needed for complete bicycles, unassembled bikes are classified as bicycles under 8712.
Related HS codes
🧭 Full guide: How to Find the Correct HS Code for Your Product in India →This page is general information, not legal advice. The usual code can change with the exact product, and rates and rules change by notification. Always confirm for your exact product with your customs broker or the official notification.