Assessable value excludes factory-to-depot transport costs treated as post-clearance expenses under the governing valuation rule.

Transportation costs incurred for moving goods from the factory to the depot were treated as post-clearance expenses and not deductible from assessable value. The claim that the movement was between two places of removal was rejected, as the Tribunal applied the statutory language and relied on CBEC Circular No. 251/85/96-CX dated 14-10-96 to hold that such transport charges do not reduce assessable value. The appeals were rejected.

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Issues: Whether transportation costs incurred for clearing goods from the factory to the depot, both being places of removal, were deductible from the assessable value of the goods.

Analysis: The transportation charges were claimed as deductible from the assessable value on the footing that the movement was from one place of removal to another. The Tribunal accepted the Revenue's position that such post-clearance transport expenses were not deductible. The conclusion was supported by CBEC Circular No. 251/85/96-CX. dated 14-10-96 and the plain language of the statute.

Conclusion: The transportation costs were not deductible from the assessable value and the appeals were rejected.

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