Import duty on Lead-acid accumulators for starting piston engines (automotive batteries) (HS 85071000) from the UAE to India
HS 85071000 · UAE to India · ELECTRIC ACCUMULATORS
Data last updated: · MFN duty & IGST verified against ICEGATE (Indian Customs EDI). CEPA preferential rate per the India–UAE CEPA schedule. Verify your exact HS line before filing.
Duty breakdown on a ₹10,00,000 shipment
| Component | Standard (MFN) | CEPA |
|---|---|---|
| Basic customs duty | ₹1,50,000 | ₹0 |
| Social Welfare Surcharge | ₹15,000 | ₹0 |
| IGST | ₹2,09,700 | ₹1,80,000 |
| Total duty | ₹3,74,700 | ₹1,80,000 |
CEPA duty saving on this example: ₹1,94,700 . Run your own numbers in the import-duty estimator.
What drives the rate
Importing lead-acid accumulators for starting piston engines (automotive batteries) (HS 85071000) from the UAE to India attracts a standard MFN basic customs duty of 15%. Under the India–UAE CEPA the preferential basic customs duty is 0%. On a sample assessable value of ₹10,00,000, total duty falls from ₹3,74,700 at the MFN rate to ₹1,80,000 with CEPA — a saving of ₹1,94,700 per shipment. Automotive starter batteries are a high-volume aftermarket line, and the India-UAE trade in them is substantial. The 15%-to-zero CEPA cut is a strong landed-cost lever for distributors. Origin is the constraint: lead-acid batteries built from imported lead and separators must still show 40% UAE value content, and pure assembly rarely clears that bar. Beyond tariff, batteries face BIS certification and hazardous-goods handling rules that gate import independently. Reconcile the value-content claim with the manufacturer's data, and file the Certificate of Origin — without it customs applies the full 15% MFN duty. Social Welfare Surcharge adds 10% on the basic duty and 18% IGST applies on top — though IGST is recoverable as input tax credit, so the lasting benefit is the basic-duty saving. Always confirm the live rate for HS 85071000 on ICEGATE or CBIC before filing.
Import compliance & clearances
Beyond duty, importing lead-acid accumulators for starting piston engines (automotive batteries) (HS 85071000) into India requires the following regulatory clearances. The CEPA preferential rate does not waive any of these — they apply regardless of origin.
- DGFT Valid IEC (Importer-Exporter Code) required; ITC(HS) import policy: Free source ↗
Indicative and non-exhaustive — verify the current DGFT / BIS / FSSAI / CDSCO notification for your exact 8-digit HS line before importing. Not customs or legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the import duty on lead-acid accumulators for starting piston engines (automotive batteries) from the UAE to India?
- The standard MFN basic customs duty is 15%; under India–UAE CEPA the preferential rate is 0%. SWS adds 10% on the basic duty and 18% IGST applies on the CIF + BCD + SWS base.
- How much can CEPA save on lead-acid accumulators for starting piston engines (automotive batteries)?
- On a CIF value of ₹10,00,000, total duty falls from ₹3,74,700 (MFN) to ₹1,80,000 (CEPA) — about ₹1,94,700 saved per shipment, scaling with consignment value.
- What do I need to claim the CEPA rate on lead-acid accumulators for starting piston engines (automotive batteries)?
- A valid preferential Certificate of Origin (eCoO 2.0) proving UAE origin under the Rules of Origin. Without it, customs charges the 15% MFN rate.