How to Buy and Export a New Car from India

Introduction

India is the world's fastest-growing major car exporter. In 2025, Indian factories shipped over 860,000 passenger vehicles to more than 90 countries — a 16% jump in a single year. Every major global automaker, from Hyundai and Kia to Suzuki (sold domestically as Maruti Suzuki), Toyota, and Honda, manufactures vehicles in India alongside homegrown giants like Tata Motors and Mahindra. Maruti Suzuki is India's largest car manufacturer and single biggest vehicle exporter — accounting for nearly 46% of all passenger vehicle exports. Outside India, these vehicles are sold under the Suzuki brand, meaning a Maruti Suzuki Jimny from India is the same Suzuki Jimny sold in Europe, Japan, and Australia.

Yet if you are a private buyer in Kenya, Trinidad and Tobago, Sri Lanka, Australia, or anywhere else searching for "Indian car exporters," you will quickly discover a frustrating reality: there is no transparent, consumer-facing platform that lets you browse Indian vehicle inventory, see prices in USD, calculate your landed cost, and place a verified order. The landscape is dominated by opaque trading companies, unverified brokers on B2B directories, and small dealers with no international payment infrastructure or accountability.

This guide explains how vehicle exports from India actually work, what vehicles are available, how much they cost, and — most importantly — how IPAS (Indo Pacific Auto Sourcing) eliminates every pain point that has historically made buying a new car from India nearly impossible for individual importers abroad.

Why Export from India

The Price Advantage

Indian-manufactured vehicles are 30-60% cheaper than equivalent models from Japan, South Korea, Thailand, or the United States. A brand-new Hyundai Creta compact SUV starts at approximately $12,850 USD ex-factory in India — the same vehicle (or its closest equivalent, the Tucson) costs $26,000-35,000 in South Korea. A Tata Nexon, India's best-selling compact SUV, starts at roughly $8,700 USD. There is simply no other major manufacturing nation offering new vehicles at this price point with this level of quality.

Factory-New, Not Used

Unlike Japan, which is known primarily for exporting used vehicles through platforms like SBT Japan and BE FORWARD, India is a new car export origin. Every vehicle shipped from India comes factory-fresh with a full manufacturer warranty, zero kilometres on the odometer, and current-year specifications. For buyers tired of gambling on the condition of a 5-year-old Japanese import, India offers a fundamentally different proposition.

RHD Manufacturing at Scale

All Indian domestic vehicles are right-hand drive (RHD). This makes India one of only a handful of major manufacturing nations — alongside Japan, the UK, and Australia — that produces RHD vehicles at factory scale. For the 30+ RHD markets worldwide, including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Barbados, and the Pacific Islands, India is a natural source that requires zero steering conversion.

World-Class Manufacturing Quality

India's automotive plants are not second-tier facilities. Hyundai's Chennai plant has exported over 2 million vehicles to 92 countries since 2006. Maruti Suzuki's facilities have crossed 1 million cumulative exports from Mundra Port alone. Kia, Honda, Volkswagen, Skoda, and Renault all operate modern, globally certified manufacturing plants in India. The vehicles rolling off these production lines are the same Hyundais, Kias, and Suzukis sold in showrooms from Melbourne to Manchester — just manufactured in Tamil Nadu and Haryana at a fraction of the cost.

Trade Agreements That Reduce Your Duties

India has active trade agreements that can significantly reduce import duties on Indian-origin vehicles in key markets. The India-UAE CEPA (2022) reduces or eliminates duty on Indian vehicles entering the UAE. The SAFTA agreement provides preferential tariffs for exports to Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. India-ASEAN FTA benefits cover markets like Thailand and Malaysia. With the India-UK FTA under active negotiation, duty reductions for Indian cars entering Britain may soon follow. A Certificate of Origin confirming Indian manufacture is all that is needed to claim these benefits.

Available Vehicles

India's vehicle export catalog spans every segment, from sub-compact hatchbacks to full-size 7-seater SUVs and rugged off-roaders. Here are the most popular models available for export:

A note on Maruti Suzuki: Maruti Suzuki is India's largest automaker and its single biggest vehicle exporter. Outside India, these vehicles are branded simply as Suzuki — so a Maruti Suzuki Jimny, Grand Vitara, or eVitara from India is the same Suzuki model sold globally. Similarly, Toyota and Suzuki share platforms in India: the Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor is based on the Suzuki Fronx, and the upcoming Toyota Ebella shares its electric platform with the Suzuki eVitara.

Compact and Sub-Compact SUVs

Mid-Size and Full-Size SUVs

Electric Vehicles

What About LHD Markets?

India primarily manufactures RHD vehicles. However, Hyundai India, Kia India, and Honda India produce left-hand-drive variants of select models (Creta, Venue, Seltos, Sonet) for export to the Middle East, Latin America, and West Africa. If you are in a LHD market like Nigeria, UAE (domestic use), or Saudi Arabia, LHD Indian vehicles are available — but the model range is more limited than the full RHD catalog.

Prices shown are approximate FOB (Free on Board) values in USD. Get your exact landed cost — including customs duties, shipping, and all fees — using CarImport.AI.

Export Process

Exporting a new vehicle from India involves a structured, regulation-governed process. Here is how it works step by step.

Step 1: Vehicle Selection and Order

The buyer selects a vehicle — make, model, variant, colour, and fuel type. In India, new vehicles are sold through authorized dealer networks. Indian OEMs (Maruti Suzuki, Tata, Hyundai, Kia, Mahindra) do not sell directly to foreign private buyers. A registered Indian export entity with an IEC (Importer Exporter Code) must process the transaction.

This is where most private importers hit a wall. Without an Indian partner holding an IEC, registered for GST, and authorized to file Shipping Bills with Indian Customs, a foreign buyer simply cannot purchase and export a vehicle from India. IPAS holds all required credentials and acts as the buyer's authorized export partner.

Step 2: Export Invoice and Documentation

The exporting entity prepares a comprehensive documentation package:

• Commercial Invoice — Declares the sale value for customs purposes
• Packing List — Vehicle specifications and identification details
• IEC Certificate — Exporter's registered trade identity
• GST Declaration (LUT/ARE-1) — Confirms zero-rated export status
• Certificate of Origin — Confirms Indian manufacture (critical for FTA duty benefits)

Step 3: GST Treatment — Zero-Rated Export

All exports from India are classified as Zero-Rated Supplies under the GST Act. This means the 28-43% GST that applies to domestic car sales in India does not apply to exports. The exporter either files a Letter of Undertaking (LUT) and exports without paying GST, or pays GST upfront and claims a full refund after export.

In practical terms: a vehicle with a domestic ex-showroom price of Rs 10 lakh (which includes embedded GST) can be exported at a significantly lower base price. This GST exemption is one of the key reasons Indian export prices are so competitive.

Step 4: Port Processing and Shipping

The vehicle is transported to one of India's major export ports:

At the port, the vehicle undergoes Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI), is loaded onto a container or RoRo vessel, and Indian Customs issues a Let Export Order. The Bill of Lading — the title document for the vehicle — is issued by the shipping line.

Step 5: Transit and Delivery

Typical transit times from Indian ports:

Get an instant, itemized shipping quote for your specific vehicle and route using IPAS EXPRESS Pro Car Shipping.

Total Timeline

From purchase order to vessel departure, the typical end-to-end timeline is 4-8 weeks. This includes OEM production lead time (if the vehicle is not in stock), documentation preparation, PDI, and port handling. Add the sea freight transit time to get your total delivery window.

Documentation Requirements

Documents the Exporter Provides (from India)

• Commercial Invoice with FOB value
• Packing List with vehicle specifications
• Bill of Lading (title document)
• Shipping Bill (filed with Indian Customs via ICEGATE)
• Certificate of Origin (for FTA duty claims)
• Export Declaration / ARE-1 (GST zero-rating proof)
• IEC Certificate

Documents the Importer Needs (at destination)

Requirements vary by country, but typically include:

• Original Bill of Lading
• Commercial Invoice (matching Customs declaration)
• Certificate of Origin
• Import Declaration Form (country-specific)
• Vehicle Registration Certificate or equivalent
• Insurance Certificate
• Pre-shipment Inspection Certificate (required by some countries, e.g., Nigeria SONCAP)
• Emissions/Safety Compliance Certificate (for countries like Australia, UK)

IPAS prepares the complete documentation package for both export and import, ensuring every document matches across jurisdictions. Documentation errors are one of the most common causes of customs delays — and one of the easiest problems to prevent with proper preparation.

Costs and Timeline

Understanding the True Cost of Importing from India

The total landed cost of importing a new car from India has four main components:

1. Vehicle Cost (FOB Price) The base price of the vehicle ex-factory, excluding Indian domestic taxes (which are zero-rated for export). This is typically 20-30% lower than the Indian ex-showroom price because GST is not charged on exports.

2. Shipping Cost Sea freight from India ranges from $200 (Sri Lanka) to $3,500 (Caribbean) depending on route, method (container vs RoRo), and current market rates. IPAS sources real-time rates using AI-powered rate intelligence.

3. Customs Duties and Taxes This is the largest variable cost and differs dramatically by destination country. Import duties on new vehicles range from 5% in the UAE to over 200% in Sri Lanka, with most African and Caribbean markets falling in the 50-100% range.

4. Handling, Insurance, and Documentation Terminal handling at origin and destination ports, marine insurance (typically 1.5-2% of vehicle value), export packaging, and customs processing fees.

The only way to know your exact landed cost is to calculate it for your specific vehicle, variant, and destination. Use CarImport.AI to get a complete, line-by-line breakdown in seconds.

What Middlemen Cost You

The research is clear: private buyers sourcing through informal Indian brokers face markups of 10-28% above the factory price. This includes dealer export premiums (3-8%), export agent fees (2-5%), documentation charges ($200-500), and informal broker commissions (5-15%). On a mid-range SUV like the Hyundai Creta, these markups can add $1,500-5,000 to the final cost — money that goes entirely to intermediaries, not to the vehicle or its shipping.

IPAS eliminates this markup chain by connecting buyers directly to the manufacturing pipeline at transparent, verified pricing.

Popular Destinations

India's vehicle exports reach over 90 countries, but certain corridors represent the highest demand and the biggest opportunity for private importers.

Africa — The Largest Opportunity

Africa is India's most natural export market for vehicles. Most major African markets drive on the left (RHD), Indian vehicles are priced 30-50% below alternatives, and India's proximity to East Africa means shipping costs are among the lowest globally. Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana, South Africa, Nigeria, and Mozambique all import significant volumes of Indian vehicles.

Kenya is particularly active, with the KRA (Kenya Revenue Authority) maintaining specific CRSP (Current Retail Selling Price) valuations for Indian vehicle models. For a new vehicle (0-6 months old), CRSP depreciation is minimal at 5%, making brand-new Indian cars highly competitive against aged Japanese used imports that dominate the current market.

Caribbean — Underserved and Growing

Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Barbados, and other Caribbean RHD markets have historically depended on Japanese used car imports. Indian new vehicles offer a compelling alternative: factory-fresh condition, competitive pricing, and growing spare parts availability. The Caribbean represents one of the most underserved corridors for Indian vehicle exports.

Middle East — Low Duties, Re-Export Hub

The UAE charges just 5% import duty on vehicles, and the India-UAE CEPA (2022) further reduces or eliminates tariffs on Indian-origin vehicles. Dubai's Jebel Ali port is the world's largest vehicle re-export hub, creating a triangular trade route where Indian vehicles can be staged in Dubai and re-exported to Africa or Asia under UAE's liberal trade regime.

Asia-Pacific — RHD Advantage

Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Australia, and New Zealand are all RHD markets where Indian vehicles compete strongly. Australia represents a premium opportunity: vehicles not officially sold in Australia (like the Tata Nexon, Mahindra Thar, and Mahindra XUV700) can be imported under the SEVS (Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicle Scheme) and RAWS compliance pathway. Most Indian vehicles fall well below Australia's Luxury Car Tax threshold.

United Kingdom — FTA on the Horizon

The UK is an RHD market where Indian vehicles face a 10% import duty plus 20% VAT (approximately 32% total). With the India-UK FTA under active negotiation, these duties could be significantly reduced, making Indian vehicles even more competitive against European alternatives. Models like the Maruti Suzuki Jimny (already sold in the UK as the Suzuki Jimny) demonstrate the quality acceptance of Indian-manufactured vehicles in the British market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy directly from an Indian manufacturer like Tata or Maruti Suzuki as a foreign private buyer?

No. Indian OEMs sell exclusively through their authorized dealer networks, which are structured for the domestic market. Foreign private buyers cannot directly purchase and export a vehicle from India — you need an Indian entity with an IEC (Importer Exporter Code), GST registration, and the ability to file Shipping Bills with Indian Customs. IPAS holds all required export credentials and acts as your authorized purchasing and export partner.

Is it safe to buy from Indian car exporters I find online?

The risk is significant. Most "Indian car exporters" listed on B2B directories like IndiaMART or TradeIndia are unverified small dealers or trading companies with no standardized pricing, no international payment protection, and no accountability. Common risks include inflated FOB prices (15-25% above factory rates), advance payment fraud, fake authorization claims, and documentation errors that cause weeks of customs delays. IPAS mitigates all of these risks with verified manufacturer pricing, transparent cost breakdowns, and a structured international payment process.

How much cheaper are Indian cars compared to Japanese used cars?

A brand-new Indian compact SUV like the Tata Nexon ($8,700-17,300) or Hyundai Venue ($8,500-13,500) is price-competitive with a 3-7 year old Japanese used car of similar size — but comes factory-fresh with zero kilometres, a full warranty, and current safety features. For buyers who have been settling for used Japanese imports due to price constraints, India offers a genuine alternative.

Do Indian cars meet international safety and emissions standards?

Indian vehicles are built to meet both domestic and international standards. Hyundai's Chennai plant, for example, exports to 92 countries with destination-specific compliance. Major OEMs produce export variants that are engineered for target market requirements. For countries with strict compliance regimes (Australia ADR, UK IVA), IPAS manages the homologation and type-approval process as part of the import service.

What is the warranty situation for Indian cars exported abroad?

Manufacturer warranties on Indian vehicles are typically valid only in India. However, IPAS-sourced vehicles come with export documentation that confirms factory-new condition, and IPAS can facilitate extended warranty arrangements for select markets. The quality assurance from major OEMs like Hyundai, Kia, Maruti Suzuki, and Tata provides confidence in long-term reliability.

Can I import an Indian car to a left-hand-drive country like Nigeria?

Yes, but the model selection is more limited. Hyundai India (Creta, Venue), Kia India (Seltos, Sonet), and Honda India produce LHD variants for export. Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, and Mahindra do not manufacture LHD vehicles. For LHD markets, IPAS sources from the available LHD-capable Indian OEM lineup.

How does IPAS pricing compare to going through a local Indian broker?

IPAS connects you directly to verified manufacturer pricing without the 10-28% markup chain that informal brokers add. On a mid-range SUV, this can save you $1,500-5,000 compared to sourcing through unverified intermediaries. Every cost is itemized and visible before you commit — vehicle price, shipping, customs duties, insurance, and handling.

What payment methods does IPAS accept?

IPAS supports international wire transfers (SWIFT) with structured payment milestones that protect both buyer and seller. Unlike informal exporters who demand full upfront payment with no recourse, IPAS provides documented payment stages tied to vehicle procurement, port loading, and Bill of Lading issuance.

Ready to Import a New Car from India?

India is the world's most price-competitive source for factory-new vehicles, with RHD availability that serves 30+ markets worldwide and a manufacturing base trusted by every major global automaker. The only thing that has been missing is a transparent, reliable platform that lets private buyers abroad access this market with confidence.

That platform is IPAS.

Whether you want to import a Tata Nexon to Kenya, a Hyundai Creta to Trinidad, a Mahindra Thar to Australia, or a Maruti Suzuki Jimny to the UK, IPAS handles the entire process — vehicle sourcing at verified pricing, export documentation, customs duty calculation, shipping, and delivery to your destination.

CarImport.AI — Enter any vehicle and destination. Get your exact landed cost — customs duties, shipping, insurance, and all fees — calculated in seconds for destinations across the world.

IPAS EXPRESS Pro Car Shipping — Already know what you want to ship? Get instant quotes for sea freight (container or RoRo) and air freight, with transparent, itemized pricing and a stage-by-stage delivery timeline.

No middlemen. No hidden fees. No guesswork. Just the world's most transparent way to buy and import a new car from India.