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2026 Supreme(SC) 31

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
J.B. PARDIWALA, R. MAHADEVAN, JJ.
Commissioner of Customs (Import) – Appellant
Versus
M/S Welkin Foods – Respondent
Civil Appeal No. 5531 of 2025
Decided On : 06-01-2026

Advocates appeared:
For the Appellant(s) : Mr. Gurmeet Singh Makker, AOR
For the Respondent(s): Mr. Salil Arora, Adv. Mr. Tahir Ashraf Siddiqui, AOR Mr. Mayur Punjabi, Adv.

Classification of imported goods under customs law must adhere to statutory definitions and general rules, emphasizing product characteristics over intended use, especially when 'use' is not explicitly defined in the legislation.

Headnote:(A) Customs Act, 1962 - Section 12(1) - Customs Tariff Act, 1975 - Chapters 76 and 84 - Classification of goods - The subject goods, aluminium shelves, were initially classified under CTI 84369900 as 'parts of agricultural machinery' by the appellant but reclassified by the CESTAT as 'aluminium structures' under CTI 76109010. The court examined the definitions and criteria under the Acts and Appeals. It found that the subject goods do not qualify as machinery under Chapter 8436, nor can they be deemed as parts of agricultural machinery. The final classification was deemed appropriate under CTI 76109010 due to its composition and characteristics, aligning with the explanatory notes that define structures as entities that remain fixed once assembled. Consequently, the appeal was allowed and the CESTAT order set aside. (Paras 148-159)

(B) General Rules of Interpretation - The classification dispute highlighted the importance of GRI 1, requiring that classification be based on the terms of headings and relevant section or chapter notes, emphasizing that goods are to be classified based on their state and nature at the time of import. (Paras 26-36)

(C) Consideration of ‘Use’ - The court reiterated that use can only be considered when explicitly mentioned in the tariff headings or when the product is experimental. Sole intended use is not sufficient if the product retains its identity as structurally distinct. (Paras 87-90)

Judgement Key Points

Certainly. Based on the provided legal document, the following key points can be summarized:

  1. Classification of Goods: The dispute concerns whether the imported aluminium shelves should be classified as ‘aluminium structures’ under a specific tariff heading or as ‘parts’ of agricultural machinery under another heading. The classification impacts the applicable duty rates and the recovery of short-levied duties (!) (!) .

  2. Objective Characteristics and Essential Features: The objective characteristics of the goods, such as their composition, design, and construction from shapes, sections, sheets, and plates, support their classification as ‘structures’ rather than ‘parts’. The goods serve as foundational structures upon which other machinery and equipment are attached, and they generally remain in place once positioned (!) (!) (!) (!) .

  3. Trade and Common Parlance: The goods are commonly understood in trade parlance as ‘aluminium structures’ or ‘shelves’ and not as ‘machinery’ or ‘parts’ of machinery. Their known identity in the market supports classification as structures, especially when such understanding aligns with their physical features and intended use (!) (!) (!) (!) .

  4. Use and Function: The goods are static, non-moving structures that do not perform any mechanical or operational functions themselves. They do not qualify as ‘machinery’ or ‘parts’ designed to contribute to a machine’s functioning, but instead act as surfaces or supports for other equipment (!) (!) (!) (!) .

  5. Inherent Use and Design: The goods are not designed as ‘parts’ of machinery or as ‘agricultural machinery’. They are not composite or functional units but are independent structures. Their design does not demonstrate that they are principally intended for use as parts of machinery or equipment used in agriculture (!) (!) (!) (!) .

  6. Exclusion under Specific Notes: The goods cannot be classified under headings for parts of machinery because they do not meet the criteria of being integral or essential components of a machine. Specific notes exclude such goods from being classified as parts if they are self-contained and capable of functioning independently (!) (!) (!) .

  7. Legal Principles for Classification: The classification process relies on interpreting tariff headings, notes, and explanatory notes in accordance with the relevant rules. The application of interpretative rules such as GRI 1 and GRI 3, along with the consideration of trade and common parlance, guides the determination of the correct classification (!) (!) (!) (!) .

  8. Role of Trade and Technical Definitions: When tariff headings use scientific or technical terms, the technical meaning may take precedence over trade or common understanding. Conversely, in the absence of explicit definitions, the trade or common parlance understanding is applied. The context and statutory provisions determine which approach is appropriate (!) (!) (!) (!) .

  9. Inapplicability of Use Considerations: The primary function or end use of the goods at the time of import is generally not relevant unless explicitly provided in the tariff heading or notes. The classification depends on the nature, design, and intended purpose as objectively evidenced, rather than on their actual or ultimate use (!) (!) (!) (!) .

  10. Conclusion: The goods in question are best classified as ‘aluminium structures’ under the relevant eo nomine tariff heading, as they meet the criteria of being structures made of aluminium, with characteristics supporting their classification as such. They do not qualify as ‘parts’ of machinery or as ‘agricultural machinery’ because they lack the essential features and intended use criteria for those categories (!) (!) (!) (!) .

These points collectively reflect the legal reasoning, interpretative principles, and factual considerations that underpin the classification dispute in this case.


Table of Content
1. details of the case and relevant tariffs. (Para 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11)
2. arguments from both parties regarding classification. (Para 14 , 15)
3. analysis of classification methods and relevant legal standards. (Para 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29)
4. application of rules of interpretation to specific case. (Para 117 , 120 , 122 , 130)
5. court's conclusion and order regarding classification. (Para 148 , 159)

JUDGMENT :

J.B. PARDIWALA, J.

For the convenience of exposition, this judgment is divided into the following parts:

INDEX

A.

FACTUAL MATRIX

B.

SUBMISSIONS ON BEHALF OF THE APPELLANT

C.

SUBMISSIONS ON BEHALF OF THE RESPONDENT

D.

ISSUE TO BE DETERMINED

E.

ANALYSIS

I.

CLASSIFICATION UNDER THE ACT, 1962 AND THE ACT, 1975

(a)

General Rules of Interpretation

(b)

Role of HSN Explanatory Notes

II.

APPLICABILITY OF THE COMMON PARLANCE TEST IN CLASSIFICATION DISPUTES

(a)

Cases where the common parlance test was applied

(b)

Cases where the common parlance test was not applied

(c)

Summary

III.

CONSIDERATION OF ‘USE’ WHEN DETERMINING CLASSIFICATION UNDER THE ACT, 1975

(a)

Consideration of ‘Use’ – Indian Perspective

(b)

Consideration of Use – USA and EU perspective

IV.

RELEVANT PROVISIONS

(a)

Relevant provisions relating to Aluminium Structures

(b)

Relevant provisions relating to Parts of Agricultural Machinery

V.

APPLICATION TO THE FACTS AT HAND

(a)

Whether subject goods can be classified as ‘Aluminium Structures’ under CTI 76109010

(b)

Whether subject goods can be classified as ‘Parts of Agriculture Machinery’ under CTI 84369900

F.

CONCLUSION

1. This appeal arises from the Judgment and Final Order No. 55604/2024 dated 19.04.2024 passed by the Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi (hereinafter referred to as “CESTAT”), in Customs Appeal No. 50542 of 2021, wherein the tribunal allowed the appeal and thereby held that the aluminium shelves imported by the respondent should be classified under Customs Tariff Item 84369900, as ‘parts’ of agricultural machinery, as opposed to Customs Tariff Item 76109010, as aluminium structures.

2. Customs Tariff Item (hereinafter “CTI”) 84369900 carries a nil rate of duty, whereas CTI 76109010 attracts a basic customs duty of 10%, a countervailing duty of 12.5%, a customs cess of 3%, and an additional customs duty of 4% respectively.

A. Factual Matrix

3. M/s Welkin Foods, the respondent, imported aluminium shelving along with a floor drain and an automatic watering system and filed a Bill of Entry No. 7399702 dated 09.11.2016 under Section 46 of the CUSTOMS ACT , 1962 (hereinafter referred to as “the Act, 1962”). In the said bill of entry, the respondent declared and classified the imported goods as follows:

S.No

Item Description

Quantity

Value (in Rs.)

CTI as per Bill of entry filed

1.

Aluminium Shelving for Mushroom Growing

6451.20 Sqm.

12075505.28

84369900

2.

Floor Drain for Mushroom Growing (Agriculture Use)

48 Nos.

274866.83

84369900

3.

Automatic Watering System for Mushroom Growing (Agriculture Use)

1 No.

208188.33

84369900

4. The appellant accepted the classification of floor drain and automatic watering system under CTI 84369900 as ‘parts’ of agricultural machinery. However, the Audit Scrutiny revealed that the aluminium shelving (hereinafter referred to as “the Subject Goods”) was a type of aluminium structure and not a ‘part’ of any agricultural machinery & therefore, the revenue ought to have classified the subject goods under CTI 76109010, which would attract a basic customs duty rate of 10%, a countervailing duty rate of 12.5%, customs cess at 3%, and additional

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