Customs valuation principles guide uniform ad valorem duty assessment and valuation practice under Section 14 framework and Customs Manual. Customs valuation governs value-based duties to prevent arbitrariness and ensure consistent assessment across Customs formations. The statutory valuation provision of the Customs Act, 1962, applicable since October 2007, provides the legal basis for valuing import and export goods. The CBEC Customs Manual 2025 (Chapter 7) consolidates guidelines and practical instructions to operationalise the statutory framework and promote uniform application of valuation principles.