Central Excise duty is an indirect tax levied on goods manufactured in India. Excisable goods have been defined as those, which have been specified in the Central Excise Tariff Act as being subjected to the duty of excise. The word "Goods" has not been defined in the Act. Therefore its meaning is borrowed from the constitution and from the sale of goods Act and understood as per the decisions of the apex court. Under excise it is understood to be items that are movable, i.e. capable of being moved and marketable, i.e. capable of being sold.

 

Central Excise Act defines 'Manufacture' by an inclusive definition as any process incidental or ancillary to the completion of a manufactured product. Manufacture under Central Excise can be understood as process wherein the name, characteristic and use of the input are changed or is/becomes distinct and different after the process. Thus a process which simply changes the form or size of the same article or enhances the value of the article would not constitute manufacture. Repairing or reconditioning does not constitute manufacture. Assembling would constitute manufacture.