'time To Buy A Harley!': India Mulling Zero Tariff On High-end Bikes As Trade Sweetener In Us Talks

India is reportedly considering eliminating import tariffs connected high-end motorcycles—including Harley-Davidson—as portion of a strategical motion to push guardant a broader waste and acquisition statement pinch nan United States. 

According to a Bloomberg report, this zero-tariff connection is still nether speech but signals a important displacement successful India’s waste and acquisition posture.

BT could not independently verify nan report.

In this year’s Union Budget, New Delhi already slashed duties connected premium motorcycles. Bikes pinch engines complete 1,600cc saw duties driblet from 50% to 30%, while semi- and wholly knocked down kits were besides granted relief. Now, successful a bolder move, India is offering to spell further: scrap import tariffs altogether connected luxury motorcycles.

If implemented, nan effect could beryllium contiguous and substantial. Price tags connected Harley-Davidson motorcycles—often inflated by 30–40% owed to duties—could driblet by 20–30%, bringing respective models wrong scope for able and aspirational Indian buyers. 

This would beryllium a game-changer for a marque that erstwhile struggled to turn successful India owed to prohibitively precocious costs.

Harley-Davidson, which exited nonstop operations successful India successful 2020 and now sells done Hero MotoCorp, could usage this opportunity to make a beardown comeback. Lower tariffs whitethorn let it to reintroduce its afloat scope of premium models, grow its dealership footprint, and revive nan brand’s Indian presence.

The zero-tariff connection besides signals India’s intent to easiness waste and acquisition clash pinch Washington, peculiarly pinch Donald Trump—now backmost successful office—long vocal astir India’s “unacceptable” tariff authorities connected American motorcycles.

However, it’s not each unfastened roadworthy ahead. Other levies for illustration GST and nan AIDC cess will still apply, perchance muting nan last value drop. Also, Harley must beryllium it tin standard work and support successful India’s immense and demanding market.
 

Published on: Apr 23, 2025 11:34 AM IST