Spent sulphuric acid is excisable, and handling charges form part of its assessable value.

Spent sulphuric acid is treated as an excisable commodity under Heading 28.07 of the Central Excise Tariff, following the Supreme Court's approval of the Larger Bench view. On that settled position, the product is to be valued as an excisable good, and handling charges are includible in the assessable value because expenses integral to handling form part of valuation.

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Issues: Whether spent sulphuric acid is an excisable commodity classifiable under Heading 28.07 of the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985, and whether handling charges are includible in its assessable value.

Analysis: The issue had already been settled by the Supreme Court, which had endorsed the Larger Bench view that spent sulphuric acid is an excisable commodity. Following that settled position, the product was treated as excisable for valuation purposes, and the charges incurred in handling were required to form part of the assessable value.

Conclusion: The product was held to be excisable and handling charges were held includible in its assessable value, in favour of the Revenue.

Ratio Decidendi: Once a product is held to be an excisable commodity, expenses integral to its handling form part of its assessable value.

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