Tag: #IndirectTaxLitigations

  • CESTAT Kolkata Rules in Favor of La Opala RG Ltd. on SHIS Duty Benefit Dispute

    CESTAT Kolkata Rules in Favor of La Opala RG Ltd. on SHIS Duty Benefit Dispute

    Date: 29.04.2025

    The Customs, Excise, and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT), Kolkata, ruled in favor of M/s. La Opala RG Ltd., quashing a duty demand of nearly Rs. 58 lakh raised by Customs for imports made under the Status Holder Incentive Scrip (SHIS) scheme.

    M/s. La Opala RG Ltd., a prominent glassware manufacturer, imported key manufacturing inputs such as Crucible Pots, Pot Rings, Abrasive Belts, PVA Wheels, Bevelling Cones, and Refractories between December 2012 and February 2015. These imports were made under 12 SHIS scrips via 14 Bills of Entry.

    Subsequently, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) issued a Show Cause Notice alleging that:

    • The imported items were not capital goods or directly related to previously imported capital goods.
    • SHIS scrips were misused to debit duty beyond the permissible 10% of the total scrip value.

    The adjudicating authority confirmed a customs duty demand of Rs. 57,94,958 with interest and equal penalty under Section 114A of the Customs Act, 1962.

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  • CESTAT Kolkata emphasized that minor administrative errors without dishonest intent should not result in penal consequences

    CESTAT Kolkata emphasized that minor administrative errors without dishonest intent should not result in penal consequences

    Date: 28.04.2025

    The Eastern Zonal Bench of the Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT), Kolkata, delivered an important ruling on 17th April 2025, dismissing an appeal filed by the Revenue against M/s. Nalini Bandhu Ray & Sons, a licensed Customs Broker.

    • M/s. Nalini Bandhu Ray & Sons filed a Bill of Entry for the importer M/s Lalwani Ferro Alloys based on instructions and documentation provided by their client.
    • Later, it emerged that the consignee name had been changed by the overseas supplier to M/s QVC International Pvt. Ltd., but this change was not communicated to the Customs Broker.
    • The Revenue alleged a violation of Regulation 10(e) of the Customs Broker Licensing Regulations, 2018 for failing to exercise due diligence.

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  • CESTAT Hyderabad Upholds IGST Refund Claim Despite Delay

    CESTAT Hyderabad Upholds IGST Refund Claim Despite Delay

    Date: 28.04.2025

    The Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) Hyderabad, in Final Order Nos. A/30134-30135/2025 dated 24th April 2025, delivered a significant ruling favoring M/s Shabeer Enterprises concerning refund of Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) paid on re-exported goods.

    • M/s Shabeer Enterprises imported 18.030 metric tons of Sri Lankan Areca Nuts through Krishnapatnam Port.
    • The goods failed quality standards under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards & Food Additives) Regulation, 2011, leading to a re-export order dated 30.09.2021.
    • IGST of Rs.2,82,808/- was paid on 31.03.2021.
    • The appellant filed a refund application for the IGST amount on 12.04.2022.

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  • CESTAT Allahabad Quashes Gold Confiscation Orders of Customs

    CESTAT Allahabad Quashes Gold Confiscation Orders of Customs

    Date: 28.04.2025

    The Customs, Excise, and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) Allahabad, in its Final Order Nos. 70205-70210/2025 dated 24th April 2025, allowed multiple appeals against the confiscation of nearly 4 kilograms of gold and penalties imposed by the Commissioner, Customs (Preventive), Lucknow.

    • Gold weighing 3998.83 grams valued at approximately Rs. 2.12 crore was seized from two individuals traveling by bus from Gorakhpur to Delhi.
    • The seizure was made on a “reasonable belief” of smuggling under Section 110 of the Customs Act, 1962.
    • Penalties were imposed under Section 112 of the Customs Act, 1962 against six individuals including employees of M/s Bajrang Bullion Traders.

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  • CESTAT Kolkata Rejects Customs Value Enhancement Based on NIDB Data

    CESTAT Kolkata Rejects Customs Value Enhancement Based on NIDB Data

    Date: 26.04.2025

    The Customs, Excise, and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT), Eastern Zonal Bench, Kolkata, has recently dismissed an appeal filed by the Revenue challenging the decision of the Commissioner (Appeals) to reject the enhancement of import values based on National Import Database (NIDB) data.

    M/s Radha Engineering Company imported “LED/NON-LED Christmas Lights” and “LED Strip Light/LED Rope Light,” declaring specific transaction values. Following an investigation by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), the Revenue alleged undervaluation and enhanced the declared import values based on NIDB data.

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  • CESTAT Mumbai Orders Interest on Refund of Seized Traveller’s Cheques

    CESTAT Mumbai Orders Interest on Refund of Seized Traveller’s Cheques

    Date: 25.04.2025

    The Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT), Mumbai Bench ruled in favor of M/s Sohail Maklai Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., directing the Customs Department to pay interest on the refund of β‚Ή47.86 lakhs, which was encashed from 106 traveller’s cheques seized back in 2006.

    • On 19.10.2006, Customs officials at CSI Airport, Mumbai seized 106 traveller’s cheques from a passenger.
    • The cheques, amounting to USD $1,07,642 (equivalent to β‚Ή47,86,334), were deposited in the State Bank of India.
    • After prolonged litigation, redemption fine and penalties totaling β‚Ή10.01 lakhs were deducted.
    • The remaining β‚Ή41.85 lakhs was refunded, but no interest was paid on the retained amount.
    • The company sought interest on the refunded amount and alternatively, foreign exchange rate-adjusted compensation.

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  • CESTAT Chennai uphold exemption benefits and correct classification under CTH 8415 9000

    CESTAT Chennai uphold exemption benefits and correct classification under CTH 8415 9000

    Date: 24.04.2025

    The Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT), Chennai Bench – Court No. III, has ruled in favor of M/s One Care Medical Centre, Coimbatore, quashing the reclassification of imported Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) Air Conditioning Units and the denial of customs exemption benefit.

    • The appellant imported various models of Toshiba indoor and outdoor air conditioning units from M/s Toshiba Carrier (Thailand) Co. Ltd. under Bills of Entry dated 07.11.2014.
    • They classified the goods under CTH 8415 9000 and claimed benefit under Customs Notification No. 46/2011 Sl. No. 1103(1).
    • The Revenue disagreed, asserting the goods were complete air conditioning units of more than 2-ton capacity, reclassifying them under CTH 8415 8110, attracting full duty.

  • CESTAT Kolkata Sets Aside Seizure of Black Pepper & Green Peas

    CESTAT Kolkata Sets Aside Seizure of Black Pepper & Green Peas

    Date: 24.04.2025

    The Customs, Excise & Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT), Kolkata Bench – Court No. 2, has allowed a batch of six appeals related to the alleged smuggling of black pepper and green peas from Nepal into India, holding that the Revenue failed to prove the foreign origin of the goods and that the seizures conducted at Muzaffarpur constituted “town seizures” without sufficient statutory backing.

    • Based on intelligence reports, officers of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) intercepted a truck and escort car at Hajipur, Bihar on 28.05.2019.
    • The truck was found carrying 6,718.5 kg of black pepper and 3,918 kg of peas.
    • The Revenue alleged these goods were smuggled from Nepal through Bhimnagar border and lacked legal documentation.

  • CESTAT Ahmedabad Held that value cannot be re-determined on weight when units price were declared and invoiced

    CESTAT Ahmedabad Held that value cannot be re-determined on weight when units price were declared and invoiced

    Date: 23.04.2025

    The Customs, Excise & Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT), Ahmedabad – Court No. 3, has allowed two appeals filed by ISGEC Heavy Engineering Ltd., setting aside penalties and redemption fine imposed by customs authorities on the grounds of alleged misdeclaration of weight in multiple Bills of Entry.

    • The case pertained to import of engineering components including:
      • Carbon Steel Forged Hemi (ASME SA266 GR2)
      • Proof Machined Low Alloy Steel Spool
      • Test Plates
    • Customs claimed excess weight in three shipments totaling over 13.37 MTS more than declared.
    • Alleged misdeclaration valued at approx. β‚Ή31.45 lakhs with total differential duty of approx. β‚Ή9.48 lakhs.

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  • CESTAT Mumbai No provision under Customs Act, 1962 empowers officers to collect interest in the absence of duty

    CESTAT Mumbai No provision under Customs Act, 1962 empowers officers to collect interest in the absence of duty

    Date: 23.04.2025

    The Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT), Mumbai Bench has allowed the appeal of M/s Lotus Herbals Color Cosmetics, ordering the refund of β‚Ή1,02,818, which was collected as interest without legal authority during EPCG import clearance.

    • The appellant imported a filling machine and parts under Bill of Entry No. 7362042 dated 27.03.2020 at JNPT, Nhava Sheva.
    • At the time of filing, they did not possess an EPCG authorisation, which was later issued on 03.06.2020.
    • Due to the COVID-19 lockdown, the EPCG licence was submitted after some delay.
    • Customs officers allegedly verbally demanded payment of interest for the intervening period.
    • The appellant paid β‚Ή1,02,818 as interest vide challan dated 25.06.2020, and the goods were cleared at nil customs duty under Notification No. 16/2015-Cus.

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