Goods Exempted From Customs Duty, May Still Be Subject To Levy Of Additional Duty Under Respective Enactments: Madras High Court

The Madras High Court stated that goods imported exempted from basic customs duty, may still be subject to levy of additional duty under respective enactments. “The goods imported, even though exempted from basic customs duty, may still be subject to levy of additional duty under the respective enactments and they would be so subject unless and until they are specifically exempted by the competent authority in exercise of the powers vested under those respective enactments from such...

No CENVAT Credit On Training Of Employees Of GAIL By Training Institutes: CESTAT

The New Delhi Bench of Customs, Excise, and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) has stated that no CENVAT credit on training of employees of Gas Authority of India Ltd. (GAIL) by training institutes. The Bench of Dilip Gupta (President) and P.V. Subba Rao (Technical) has observed that, “The term “coaching and training” must be “coaching and training” of the employees of the assessee. Merely because the bills were paid by the assessee, the services provided by way of coaching and...

No Jurisdiction To Entertain Appeal Over Goods Imported Or Exported As Domestic Baggage Under Proviso To S.129A(1) Of Customs Act: CESTAT Chennai

The Chennai Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) has recently clarified that once the luggage/bag which accompanies an individual arriving from a domestic airport in India, during the aircrafts domestic run, is intercepted by the officers, there cannot be a presumption that it is covered under the Customs Act, 1962 and to which the Baggage Rules, 2016 can automatically apply. The CESTAT therefore held that, “'baggage' under the Baggage Rules 2016, includes...

Failure To File Declaration May Be Considered As Technical Irregularity If Customs Authorities Failed To Notice It: CESTAT

The Mumbai Bench of Customs, Excise, and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) has stated that failure to file declaration may be considered as a technical irregularity if customs authorities failed to notice it. “There is no doubt that the declaration had to be made and, the deployment of 'abundant caution' in the instructions notwithstanding, it would appear that the said declaration was of not of insignificance in the procedure prescribed under Customs, Central Excise Duties and...

Customs Must Preserve CCTV Footage Upon Receiving Complaint Of Officials Illegally Seizing Foreign Currency From Travellers: Delhi HC

The Delhi High Court has directed the Customs Department to ensure that relevant CCTV footage is preserved whenever it receives a complaint from any traveller coming to India from abroad, regarding illegal detention of his foreign currency by its officials.“...if a complaint was received in this manner, the CCTV footage ought to be preserved immediately as the same is available only for 30 days. Moreover, the CCTV footage of the Petitioner at the time of departure could also have been preserved...

Refund Claim For Service Tax Can't Be Made On Transactions Which Took Place Beyond Territorial Jurisdiction Of India: CESTAT

The Mumbai Bench of Customs, Excise, and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) has stated that refund claim for service tax cannot be claimed on transactions took place beyond the territorial jurisdiction of India. The Bench of Dr. Suvendu Kumar Pati (Judicial Member) and Anil G. Shakkarwar (Technical) has observed that, “The said claim for refund is in respect of service tax paid by the assessee in respect of transactions that took place beyond the territorial jurisdiction of India...

“Pendants” Described As Jewellery Are Not Distinguishable On Basis Of Purity Of Gold, No Exemption From Excise Duty: CESTAT

The New Delhi Bench of Customs, Excise, and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) has stated that there is no exemption on the articles described as pendants as the jewellery is not distinguishable on the basis of purity of gold. The Bench of Bintu Tamta (Judicial) and Hemambika R. Priya (Technical) has observed that, “The contention of the assessee that articles of jewellery do not cover pendant of 24 CARAT within its purview is misleading and unsustainable as nowhere in the Chapter...

Following Delhi HC Nudge, Customs Takes Measures To Prevent Harassment Of Genuine Air Travellers Carrying Gold Jewellery

Following successive judgments of the Delhi High Court criticising the Customs for detaining personal jewellery of air travellers and failure to comply with mandatory statutory procedure for detention, the Department has undertaken various steps to prevent harassment of genuine travellers.As per an affidavit filed by the Centre, the Department has taken following steps:1. A person whose goods are detained shall be issued detention receipts which would bear the time and date of detention, number...

“Completely Unacceptable”: Delhi High Court Pulls Up Customs For Prolonged Detention Of Export Goods Despite Dept's Circular

The Delhi High Court has criticised the Customs Department for acting against its own Circular for expeditious clearance of goods, by detaining the export goods of a trader for over two months.A division bench of Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Rajneesh Kumar Gupta observed, “This position is completely unacceptable to the Court…consignment cannot be held up in this manner…expedited steps are not taken for clearing of goods.”Petitioner's export consignment of 'ladies PVC slippers' was put on hold...

Student Almanac And Teacher Planner Not Exigible To Excise Duty: CESTAT

The New Delhi Bench of Customs, Excise, and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) has stated that Student Almanac and teacher planner not exigible to excise duty. The Bench of Justice Dilip Gupta (President) and P.V. Subba Rao (Technical Member) has observed that the submission of the assessee that since Student Almanac is used only by students of a particular school, it becomes a product of printing industry cannot be accepted. In this case, the issue in dispute is regarding the...

Non-Payment Of Service Tax By Sub-Contractor Due To Uncertainity Not Wilful Misstatement Or Fraud: Delhi HC Upholds CESTAT Order

The Delhi High Court has upheld an order of the Customs Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal interdicting the GST Department from invoking extended period of limitation for recovery action against a sub-contractor who did not pay service tax amid confusion as to his liability to pay the same.A division bench of Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Rajneesh Kumar Gupta upheld the CESTAT order which held that bonafide belief of the sub-contractor that he was not required to discharge service tax...

Customs Can Clone Data Of Seized Electronic Devices As Per Statutory Procedure, Need Not Retain Devices Throughout Prosecution: Delhi HC

The Delhi High Court has called upon the Customs Department to clone the required data from seized electronic devices of persons allegedly involved in smuggling and other violations under the Act, instead of retaining such devices throughout prosecutions.A division bench of Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Rajneesh Kumar Gupta observed that such a practice will not only ensure that the Department does not lose the data due to the seized device getting outdated but it will also provide make the...