Section 14 Tariff Value Update | Gold, Silver, Palm Oil – 19 Feb 2026

Exercising powers under Section 14(2) of the Customs Act, 1962, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs has issued a notification substituting Table-1, Table-2 and Table-3 of Notification No. 36/2001-Customs (N.T.), dated 3rd August 2001.

The notification comes into force from 19th February 2026.

Although the notified tariff values remain unchanged, the formal substitution of tables reinforces the operative valuation framework applicable to edible oils, bullion, brass scrap and areca nuts. For importers operating in these sectors, tariff value continues to determine customs duty liability irrespective of invoice price.

This note provides a structured legal and sectoral analysis.

Legal Framework: Section 14 of the Customs Act, 1962

Section 14 governs valuation of imported goods for customs purposes.

  • Section 14(1) establishes transaction value as the primary basis.
  • Section 14(2) empowers the Government to fix tariff values for specified goods.

Where tariff value is notified, customs duty is computed on the notified benchmark rather than the declared transaction value.

The present notification:

  • Substitutes tables under Notification No. 36/2001-Customs (N.T.)
  • Follows the last amendment vide Notification No. 20/2026-Customs (N.T.) dated 13th February 2026
  • Takes effect from 19th February 2026

Table-1

Tariff Value (US $ Per Metric Tonne)

Sl. No.

Chapter / Heading / Sub-heading / Tariff Item

Description of Goods

Tariff Value (US $ Per Metric Tonne)

1

1511 10 00

Crude Palm Oil

1086 (i.e., no change)

2

1511 90 10

RBD Palm Oil

1088 (i.e., no change)

3

1511 90 90

Others – Palm Oil

1087 (i.e., no change)

4

1511 10 00

Crude Palmolein

1090 (i.e., no change)

5

1511 90 20

RBD Palmolein

1093 (i.e., no change)

6

1511 90 90

Others – Palmolein

1092 (i.e., no change)

7

1507 10 00

Crude Soya bean Oil

1202 (i.e., no change)

8

7404 00 22

Brass Scrap (all grades)

7391 (i.e., no change)

Table-2

Tariff Value (US $)

Sl. No.

Chapter / Heading / Sub-heading / Tariff Item

Description of Goods

Tariff Value (US $)

1

71 or 98

Gold, in any form, in respect of which the benefit of entries at serial number 194 of Notification No. 45/2025-Customs dated 24.10.2025 is availed

1624 per 10 grams (i.e., no change)

2

71 or 98

Silver, in any form, in respect of which the benefit of entries at serial number 195 of the Notification No. 45/2025-Customs dated 24.10.2025 is availed

2421 per kilogram

3

71

(i) Silver, in any form, other than medallions and silver coins having silver content not below 99.9% or semi-manufactured forms of silver falling under sub-heading 7106 92;

(ii) Medallions and silver coins having silver content not below 99.9% or semi-manufactured forms of silver falling under sub-heading 7106 92, other than imports of such goods through post, courier or baggage.

Explanation. – For the purposes of this entry, silver in any form shall not include foreign currency coins, jewellery made of silver or articles made of silver.

2421 per kilogram

4

71

(i) Gold bars, other than tola bars, bearing manufacturer’s or refiner’s engraved serial number and weight expressed in metric units;

(ii) Gold coins having gold content not below 99.5% and gold findings, other than imports of such goods through post, courier or baggage.

Explanation. – For the purposes of this entry, “gold findings” means a small component such as hook, clasp, pin, catch, screw back used to hold the whole or a part of a piece of Jewellery in place.

1624 per 10 grams (i.e., no change)

Table-3

Tariff Value (US $ Per Metric Ton)

Sl. No.

Chapter / Heading / Sub-heading / Tariff Item

Description of Goods

Tariff Value (US $ Per Metric Ton)

1

080280

Areca nuts

7020 (i.e., no change)

Practical Implications of the Notification

1.Edible Oil Importers

Crude palm oil, palmolein and crude soya bean oil remain subject to tariff valuation. Customs duty continues to be calculated on notified tariff value, regardless of lower invoice pricing. This maintains stability in duty projection and landed cost estimation.

2.Bullion Trade and Jewellery Sector

Gold remains notified at US $ 1624 per 10 grams.
Silver remains notified at US $ 2421 per kilogram.

Tariff value directly impacts:

  • Basic Customs Duty
  • Social Welfare Surcharge
  • IGST computation
  • Working capital exposure

Manufacturers and traders must align procurement modelling accordingly.

3.Brass Scrap Importers

With brass scrap continuing at US $ 7391 per metric tonne, assessment uniformity remains intact. Invoice volatility does not alter the tariff base unless revised by notification.

4.Areca Nut Traders

Areca nuts remain valued at US $ 7020 per metric ton, maintaining continuity in agri-commodity import valuation.

Key Valuation Clarification

Tariff value under Section 14(2):

  • Applies only to specifically notified goods.
  • Overrides declared transaction value for duty computation.
  • Forms the base for BCD, SWS and IGST calculation.

It does not eliminate transaction value principles for other goods outside notification scope.

Strategic Advisory Note

While the figures remain unchanged, substitution of tables legally reaffirms the tariff valuation mechanism. For import-intensive businesses, tariff value remains a structural determinant of cost, pricing strategy and liquidity planning.

Regular monitoring of CBIC tariff value notifications remains essential to avoid duty exposure and valuation disputes.

Notification Reference:  CBIC
Notification No:22/2026-Customs (NT)
19-Feb-2026

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