Customs Cracks Down on Illegal Import of Bhutan Army Vehicles into India

Indian Customs and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) are intensifying investigations into the illegal import of vintage vehicles from the Bhutanese army. These include Land Cruisers, Land Rovers, SUVs, and trucks, many of which have been smuggled into India without paying taxes.

According to reports, middlemen purchase these vehicles at army auctions in Bhutan at very low prices, register them in Himachal Pradesh (HP 52 codes), and then sell them in other states at prices up to four times higher. Some buyers in Kerala, including industrialists and film personalities, have reportedly acquired these vehicles.

Authorities are now:

• Investigating tax evasion and illegal registration practices.

• Checking if vehicles in Kerala have had their registration numbers altered.

• Planning to seize vehicles brought in illegally.

The Kerala Motor Vehicles Department received intelligence from DRI, highlighting the illegal Bhutan vehicle transactions. Many of these vehicles are being sold with NOCs from HP RTO offices, allowing them to be re-registered across states easily.

This operation aims to curb smuggling, ensure proper tax collection, and hold buyers and middlemen accountable.