Section 487 IPC: Making a false mark upon any receptacle containing goods
Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 487 IPC at a Glance
Section 487 IPC deals with making a false mark upon any receptacle containing goods. It is bailable and non-cognizable, triable by any Magistrate; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 350(1) BNS.
Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or fine, or both.
Section 487 IPC Bare Act Text
487. Making a false mark upon any receptacle containing goods
Whoever makes any false mark upon any case, package or other receptacle containing goods, in a manner reasonably calculated to cause any public servant or any other person to believe that such receptacle contains goods which it does not contain or that it does not contain goods which it does contain, or that the goods contained in such receptacle are of a nature or quality different from the real nature or quality thereof, shall, unless he proves that he acted without intent to defraud, be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.
Source: Section 487, Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 487 IPC in Simple Words
Section 487 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes making any false mark upon any case, package or other receptacle containing goods, in a manner reasonably calculated to cause any public servant or any other person to believe that the receptacle contains goods which it does not contain, that it does not contain goods which it does contain, or that the goods are of a different nature or quality. The accused escapes liability if he proves that he acted without intent to defraud.
The punishment is imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or fine, or both. The offence is non-cognizable and bailable, triable by any Magistrate, and not compoundable under Section 320 CrPC.
Ingredients of Section 487 IPC
- A case, package or other receptacle contains goods
- The accused makes a false mark upon it
- The mark is made in a manner reasonably calculated to cause a public servant or any other person to believe that the receptacle contains goods it does not contain, does not contain goods it does contain, or holds goods of a different nature or quality
- The accused does not prove that he acted without intent to defraud
Punishment Under Section 487 IPC
Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or fine, or both.
The court may impose a fine alone, or fine in addition to imprisonment. The statute specifies no upper limit.
Making a false mark on a receptacle containing goods, reasonably calculated to deceive as to contents or quality, carries imprisonment of either description for up to three years, or fine, or both.
Example of Section 487 IPC
When Section 487 IPC Does Not Apply
- The description or symbol marked on the package truthfully states what goods are inside and accurately reflects their real nature and quality.
- The marking on the container is not reasonably likely to make any public servant or other person hold a mistaken belief about the contents or their quality.
- The person who marked the container proves that he did so without any intention to defraud.
- The false mark is placed on an empty container that does not hold any goods.
Section 487 IPC in the BNS
Section 487 IPC is now covered under Section 350(1) BNS.
Section 487 IPC corresponds to Section 350(1) BNS, with identical text and the same punishment. Section 488 IPC on making use of such a false mark follows as Section 350(2) BNS.
View detailed comparison (IPC 487 vs BNS 350(1)) →FAQs on Section 487 IPC
What does Section 487 IPC punish?▼
Section 487 IPC punishes making a false mark on any case, package or receptacle containing goods, in a manner reasonably calculated to cause belief that it contains goods it does not, does not contain goods it does, or holds goods of a different nature or quality.
What is the punishment prescribed under Section 487 IPC?▼
The court may award imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or fine, or both.
Must the prosecution prove an intent to defraud under Section 487 IPC?▼
No. Once the false mark is proved, the accused is punished unless he proves that he acted without intent to defraud.
Under Section 487 IPC, what kinds of deception regarding the receptacle are covered?▼
The section covers three deceptions: that the receptacle contains goods which it does not contain, that it does not contain goods which it does contain, or that the goods are of a nature or quality different from their real nature or quality.
Is Section 487 IPC bailable and cognizable?▼
Section 487 IPC is bailable and non-cognizable under the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.
Which court tries an offence under Section 487 IPC?▼
The offence is triable by any Magistrate.
Can an offence under Section 487 IPC be compounded?▼
No. Section 487 IPC is not listed in Section 320 CrPC and cannot be compounded.
Where is Section 487 IPC placed in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼
It is placed in Section 350(1) BNS, in Chapter XVIII, Of Offences Relating to Documents and to Property Marks.
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Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·