Customs valuation excludes wharfage, stock loss and demurrage charges from assessable value in a high seas sale context.

Wharfage charges, stock loss expenses and demurrage charges were considered in customs valuation of imported goods, with the article noting that a high seas sale before importation may form the transaction value, but not every amount collected by the seller is includible under Section 14 of the Customs Act and Rule 4 of the Customs (Valuation) Rules, 1988. Wharfage and stock loss expenses were treated as part of landing charges already covered by the valuation addition, while demurrage was treated as outside the goods' value. The disputed charges were therefore not includible in the assessable value, and the Revenue appeals failed.

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Issues: Whether wharfage charges, stock loss expenses and demurrage charges were liable to be included in the assessable value of imported goods for customs valuation.

Analysis: The appeals were disposed of by following an earlier Tribunal order on the same issue. The reasoning accepted that a high seas sale before importation could constitute the transaction value for valuation purposes, but held that not every amount collected by the seller formed part of the value under Section 14 of the Customs Act and Rule 4 of the Customs (Valuation) Rules, 1988. Wharfage charges and stock loss expenses were treated as part of landing charges already accounted for by the existing valuation addition, while demurrage charges were held not to form part of the value of the goods.

Conclusion: The disputed charges were not includible in the customs assessable value, and the Revenue appeals failed.

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