Customs | Direct Reliance On NIDB Data For Re-Assessment Of Import Value Not Permissible: CESTAT Kolkata

The Kolkata Bench of Customs, Excise, and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) has stated that Customs cannot directly rely on NIDB (National Import Database) data to enhance import value. R. Muralidhar (Judicial Member) and K. Anpazhakan (Technical Member) noted that the adjudicating authority straightaway has re-determined the value on the basis of NIDB data retrieved, indicating the Bill of Entry and the description of the goods, which is legally not maintainable. In the...

Separate Proceedings Under Customs Act Not Permissible Once CBLR Proceedings Are Initiated: CESTAT Kolkata

The Kolkata Bench of Customs, Excise, and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) has stated that separate proceedings under the Customs Act are not permissible once CBLR (Customs Brokers Licensing Regulations, 2018) proceedings are initiated. R. Muralidhar (Judicial Member) and K. Anpazhakan (Technical Member) opined that once separate proceedings have been initiated against the assessee under CBLR, 2018, for violation of the provisions of the said Regulations, no separate penalty is...

Zinc EDTA Is Fertiliser, Not A Chemical; Lower Customs Duty Applicable: CESTAT Chennai

The Chennai Bench of Customs, Excise, and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) has stated that Zinc EDTA is classifiable as a fertiliser under Customs Tariff Item (CTI) 3105 9090, and not a chemical salt under CTI 29224990 as stated by the revenue.Ajayan T.V. (Judicial Member) and Ajit Kumar (Technical Member) noted that Zinc EDTA contains Nitrogen, which is an essential fertilising element. The Tribunal further stated that …….as per Note 6 to Chapter 31, for the purposes of CTH...

Customs | Bills Of Entry Cannot Be Reassessed After Clearance Merely To Claim Refund Based On Later SC Judgment: CESTAT Mumbai

The Customs, Excise & Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT), Mumbai has held that reassessment of Bills of Entry cannot be sought at a belated stage after clearance of goods merely to claim refund on the basis of a favourable Supreme Court judgment delivered in another assessee's case. A Division Bench comprising Dr. Suvendu Kumar Pati (Judicial Member) and M.M. Parthiban (Technical Member) dismissed the appeal filed by the assessee, M/s Minerva Enterprises and upheld the order of...

Customs Act | 'Goods Already Re-Exported Cannot Be Confiscated': CESTAT Mumbai Sets Aside Absolute Confiscation Order

The Customs, Excise & Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) Mumbai has set aside the absolute confiscation of imported goods ordered by the Commissioner (Appeals), holding that once the goods had already been re-exported prior to the filing of the Revenue appeal, the order for absolute confiscation of goods is not sustainable in law. The Bench of Member (Judicial) Ajay Sharma was hearing an appeal filed by the assessee challenging the Order-in-Appeal passed by the...

Customs Duty Payable On Imported Goods Lost In Fire; Exemption Not Available: CESTAT New Delhi

The New Delhi Bench of Customs, Excise, and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) has stated that imported goods which are not used for manufacturing due to fire do not qualify for exemption under Notification No. 12/2012-CUS dated 17.03.2012 and hence, customs duty is payable on such goods. The exemption Notification No. 12/2012-CUS dated 17.03.2012 allows the importers to import certain goods at a concessional or NIL customs duty. Justice Dilip Gupta (President) and P.V. Subba...

Xiaomi India Liable For Differential Customs Duty On Qualcomm Royalties; Royalty Includible In Assessable Value: CESTAT Chennai:

The Chennai Bench of Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) has held Xiaomi India liable for differential customs duties on royalties to Qualcomm and Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software under various agreements for importing and selling Xiaomi-branded mobile phones and components The Bench comprising of Mr. M. Ajit Kumar (Technical Member) and Mr. P. Dinesha (Judicial Member) examined whether royalty payments were linked to imported goods and thus dutiable, concluded...

Oppo Eligible For Customs Duty Exemption On Microphones & Receivers Used In PCBA Prior To 06.07.2019: CESTAT

The New Delhi Bench of Customs, Excise, and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) has stated that Oppo Mobiles is eligible for customs exemption on microphones & receivers used in PCBA (Printed Circuit Board Assembly) prior to 06.07.2019. Justice Dilip Gupta (President) and P.V. Subba Rao (Technical Member) opined that by virtue of the amendment Notification dated 06.07.2019, customs duty would also be leviable on microphones and receivers when imported into India, even if they...

'Twaron Para Aramid Pulp' Classified As 'Textile Flock', Importers Liable For Higher Customs Duty: CESTAT

The New Delhi Bench of Customs, Excise, and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) has held that Twaron Para Aramid Pulp is classified as 'textile flock', hence, the importers are liable for a higher customs duty. Justice Dilip Gupta (President) and P.V. Subba Rao (Technical Member) were addressing the issue of whether the Twaron Para Aramid Pulp imported by the assessee was classified under Customs Tariff Item (CTI) 5601 22 00 or under CTI 5601 30 00. The case was whether the...

Advertisement, Promotional And Management Service Payments Excluded From Customs Valuation: CESTAT

The New Delhi Bench of Customs, Excise, and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) has stated that Advertisement and Promotional Expenses and Management Service Fees (APE and MSF) payments are independent transactions, and cannot be included in the transaction value of imported goods. The issue before the Tribunal was whether the advertisement and promotional expenses incurred by the assessee in India are required to be added to the value of the imported goods, treating the said...

Customs | Importer Cannot Be Penalised For Misdeclaration Merely Because Other Importers Declared High Prices For Similar Goods: CESTAT

The New Delhi Bench of Customs, Excise, and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) has stated that an importer cannot be penalised for misdeclaration merely because other importers declared high prices for similar goods under the Customs Valuation Rules. Justice Dilip Gupta (President) and P.V. Subba Rao (Technical Member) opined that the mere fact that another importer had imported identical goods from the same overseas exporter at different prices does not prove that the assessee...

Customs | Drawback Cannot Be Denied On Grounds Of Alleged Forgery By Foreign Buyer Once Goods Are Exported: CESTAT

The New Delhi Bench of the Customs, Excise, and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) has held that drawback cannot be denied on the grounds of alleged forgery by a foreign buyer after goods are exported under the Customs & Central Excise Duties Drawback Rules 1995. The single bench consists of (Judicial Member) opined that any forgery, if revealed during a further investigation being committed by the Russian company vis-a-vis the Landing certificate in the light of Drawback...