Bombay HC Orders Release of Russian National's Mahindra Thar, Rules Vehicle Not Fresh Import

The Bombay High Court has ordered the release of a Mahindra Thar belonging to Russian national Denis Vanin, ruling that an Indian-registered vehicle does not become a fresh foreign import merely because it is transported in a shipping container after an overseas journey.

Vanin purchased the Thar in Goa in August 2022 and drove it out of India through Nepal in July 2024, travelling through China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Georgia, Armenia and Iran. He then placed it in a protective shipping container from Bandar Abbas for its return by sea, which reached Nhava Sheva on November 17, 2024.

Customs authorities sought a Bill of Entry before releasing the vehicle, but Vanin could not file it electronically as ICEGATE required an Import-Export Code or GSTIN, which he did not have since the vehicle was for personal use. The court examined Customs Act provisions and held that placing a domestic personal vehicle in a cargo container does not transform it into international trade cargo.