PREVENTION OR DETECTION OF ILLEGAL EXPORT OF GOODSCentral

Section 11I of The Customs Act,1962

1[11-I. Power of Central Government to specify goods.--If, having regard to the magnitude of the illegal export of goods of any class or description, the Central Government is satisfied that it is expedient in the public interest to take special measures for the purpose of checking the illegal export or facilitating the detection of goods which are likely to be illegally exported, it may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify goods of such class or description.]

Summary

The Central Government has the legal authority to specify goods of any class or description.
This authority is exercised by publishing an official notification in the Gazette.
Specifying goods is done to check their illegal export or to make it easier to detect goods that are likely to be illegally exported.
The government can only specify goods if it is satisfied that the scale of their illegal export is large enough to warrant special measures.

Practical examples

1On May 15, 2026, the government notices a massive surge in the smuggling of red sandalwood across borders. To stop this, the Central Government issues an official notification specifying red sandalwood as a restricted class of goods under this tax law.

2In October 2026, customs officers detect multiple attempts to illegally smuggle raw cardamom out of the country. The Central Government publishes a notification in the Gazette listing raw cardamom as specified goods to help officers detect and check these illegal shipments.

FAQ

1. How does the government declare specified goods under Section 11I of The Customs Act,1962?

Under Section 11I of The Customs Act,1962, the Central Government declares specified goods by publishing a notification in the Official Gazette.

2. What is the main purpose of Section 11I of the Indian Customs Act?

The main purpose of Section 11I of the Indian Customs Act is to give the Central Government power to specify certain goods to prevent their illegal export and make it easier to detect goods that might be smuggled out.

3. What conditions must be met before goods are specified under Section 11I of The Customs Act,1962?

Under Section 11I of The Customs Act,1962, the Central Government must be satisfied that the scale of illegal export of a class of goods is large enough that taking special measures is necessary in the public interest.

Test yourself

Q1.Under Section 11I of The Customs Act,1962, which authority has the legal power to specify goods to check illegal export?

Q2.Under Section 11I of the 1962 Customs Act, how must the government notify the public about specified goods?

Q3.What must the Central Government consider regarding illegal exports before specifying any goods under Section 11I of the Customs Act?

Q4.Which of the following is an authorized legal ground for the Central Government to specify goods under Section 11I of The Customs Act,1962?

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