M/S. ISPAT INDUSTRIES LTD. vs COMMNR. OF CUSTOMS, MUMBAI

The Supreme Court addressed the interpretation of 'place of importation' under Section 14 of the Customs Act, 1962, and Rule 9 of the Customs Valuation Rules, 1988, in the context of assessing customs duty on imported iron ore pellets. The Court held that the assessable value must include all transportation charges incurred up to the approved unloading point, which in this case was the Dharamtar jetty, despite the cargo being initially discharged at an unapproved anchoring point (BFL). The appeal was dismissed, affirming the decision of the Customs, Excise and Gold (Control) Appellate Tribunal (CEGAT).