Customs Act Section 13: Duty on pilfered goods
Reviewed by CA Nikhil Gupta · Last reviewed 30 August 2026
Duty on pilfered goods
At a Glance
Section 13 - Duty on pilfered goods.
For Section 13, Sets the Customs law framework for Duty on pilfered goods; the transaction result depends on classification, assessable value, rate date, exemption, duty components, procedure and evidence as applicable.
Key professional control: For Section 13 — Duty on pilfered goods, Separate charge, classification, value, rate date, exemption and each duty component, and retain the calculation and notification chain for Section 13.
Finin2min Decode
Section 13 addresses “Duty on pilfered goods”. Sets the Customs law framework for Duty on pilfered goods; the transaction result depends on classification, assessable value, rate date, exemption, duty components, procedure and evidence as applicable.
Read Section 13 with the delegated law and instruments that govern duty matters, including the version effective on the transaction date.
Decision question: Does the proposed treatment under Section 13 satisfy the provision-specific conditions for “Duty on pilfered goods”, the connected instrument and the available evidence?
Practical Example
An importer calculates liability under section 13. The review separately fixes classification, assessable value, rate date, exemption eligibility, each duty component and the transaction-date amendment chain.
Professional Alert
For Section 13 — Duty on pilfered goods, Separate charge, classification, value, rate date, exemption and each duty component, and retain the calculation and notification chain for Section 13.
This page explains Section 13; it does not reproduce the official provision. Quote only the Customs Act and the exact Rule, Regulation, notification or judgment applicable to “Duty on pilfered goods” for the relevant date.
Decision Steps
- Freeze the relevant date, customs station, goods, person and procedural route.
- Read the current section with definitions, explanations, provisos and cross-references.
- Map delegated legislation, notifications and allied DGFT or partner-agency requirements.
- Test jurisdiction, limitation, conditions, evidence and any burden-of-proof rule.
- Preserve the portal trail but verify the substantive legal entitlement separately.
- Record later amendments, judgments and local procedure before publication or transaction reliance.
Evidence Checklist
- Bill of Entry/shipping bill and invoices
- Classification and valuation working
- Rate/exemption notification with serial and conditions
- Duty payment, assessment and appeal records
Common Errors
- Using a tariff rate as the final effective duty
- Applying a current notification to an earlier import
- Treating portal acceptance as proof of exemption eligibility
Finin2min Q&A
Section 13 concerns “Duty on pilfered goods”. Sets the Customs law framework for Duty on pilfered goods; the transaction result depends on classification, assessable value, rate date, exemption, duty components, procedure and evidence as applicable.
For Section 13 — Duty on pilfered goods, Separate charge, classification, value, rate date, exemption and each duty component, and retain the calculation and notification chain for Section 13.
No. For Section 13 — Duty on pilfered goods, use this guide to organise the analysis, then rely on the official Customs Act and the connected instrument or binding decision in force for the matter.
Official sources and scope
This page is an analytical or operational guide. The controlling wording, tariff item, notification conditions, portal version and judicial status must be checked in the official source applicable to the transaction date.
- Official record for this item
- India Code - Customs Act PDF
- India Code - Customs Act register
- CBIC Tax Information - Customs
Source review date: 2026-07-28. Historical matters require the law and instrument version applicable to the relevant date.