2002 (10) TMI 382 - AT - Customs

Summary

Issues Involved:
1. Rejection of Transaction Value
2. Applicability of Valuation Rules (Rules 4 to 8)
3. Use of Depreciation Method for Valuation
4. Interpretation of Supreme Court Judgments

Detailed Analysis:

1. Rejection of Transaction Value:
The primary issue revolves around whether the transaction value declared by the importer for the second-hand machinery should be accepted under Rule 4(1) of the Customs Valuation Rules (CVR) or rejected. The Commissioner (Appeals) held that the transaction value should be accepted as per Section 14 read with the Valuation Rules, citing the Supreme Court's decision in Eicher Tractors v. CC, Mumbai. The Commissioner (Appeals) emphasized that the transaction value is limited to the transaction in question and should only be rejected if it falls within the exceptions specified in Rule 4(2). The lower authority, however, rejected the transaction value, arguing that second-hand goods cannot be compared to new or similar goods, thus necessitating the use of Rules 5 to 8.

2. Applicability of Valuation Rules (Rules 4 to 8):
The Revenue contended that the valuation of second-hand machinery should not rely solely on the transaction value due to the variable conditions of such machinery. They argued that Rules 5, 6, 7, and 7A were inapplicable and that Rule 8, read with Rule 10A, should be used for determining the value. The Commissioner (Appeals) disagreed, stating that the transaction value should be the primary consideration unless it falls under the exceptions of Rule 4(2). The Tribunal, however, noted that the issue had been settled in previous judgments, which held that the transaction value should not be rejected unless there is no clear transaction value.

3. Use of Depreciation Method for Valuation:
The Revenue argued that the depreciation method, as per the age-old practice of customs and supported by the Supreme Court's judgment in Gajra Bevel Gears, should be used for valuation. The lower authority adopted this method, considering the price of a new machine and applying depreciation. The Commissioner (Appeals) and the respondent's counsel argued against this method, stating that the transaction value should be accepted if it is clear and not subject to conditions or considerations. The Tribunal majority ultimately upheld the use of the depreciation method under Rule 8, citing the Supreme Court's approval in Gajra Bevel Gears.

4. Interpretation of Supreme Court Judgments:
The Commissioner (Appeals) and the respondent's counsel relied on the Supreme Court's decision in Eicher Tractors, which emphasized the primacy of the transaction value. The Revenue and the adjudicating authority, however, relied on the Supreme Court's decision in Gajra Bevel Gears, which approved the use of the depreciation method for second-hand machinery valuation. The Tribunal majority found that the ratio of Gajra Bevel Gears, decided by a three-judge bench, should prevail over Eicher Tractors, decided by a two-judge bench. The majority held that the depreciation method was appropriate for second-hand machinery where no market data for comparison existed.

Conclusion:
The Tribunal, by majority, upheld the adjudicating authority's decision to reject the transaction value and determine the value under Rule 8 using the depreciation method. The decision was based on the interpretation of the Supreme Court's judgment in Gajra Bevel Gears, which was found to be applicable to the facts of the case. The Revenue's appeal was allowed, and the Order-in-Original was confirmed.