9911796707
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Issues involved:
The case involves issues related to non-fulfillment of export obligation under the EPCG scheme, encashment of bank guarantee, refund claim rejection, and time-barred refund claim. Issue 1 - Non-fulfillment of export obligation under EPCG scheme: The appellants imported a continuous form press under the EPCG scheme but failed to meet the export obligation within the stipulated period of 5 years. Investigations were launched to determine compliance, leading to a proposal to encash the bank guarantee. The appellants deposited an amount with the Commissioner of Customs but no order was passed on the show-cause notice demanding duty and interest. Issue 2 - Encashment of bank guarantee and refund claim rejection: The DGFT issued a demand notice for recovery of Customs duty due to non-fulfillment of export obligation. The appellants sought to include exports made after the 5-year period towards meeting the obligation. After favorable decisions from committees, the demand notice was withdrawn. The appellants then requested cancellation of their bond, leading to a refund claim rejection by the Assistant Commissioner (Refunds) as time-barred. Issue 3 - Time-barred refund claim and legal considerations: The Commissioner (Appeals) found the refund application premature pending adjudication of the show-cause notice. The appellate authority disagreed on the encashment of the bank guarantee and the binding nature of the extension of the export obligation period. The Tribunal noted that the encashment of the bank guarantee was not a payment of duty and the refund claim was not time-barred under Section 27 of the Customs Act. The Tribunal directed the Assistant Commissioner (EPCG) to finalize the show-cause notice adjudication within 30 days and the Assistant Commissioner (Refunds) to process the refund claim without invoking Section 27, ensuring the party's right to be heard. The appeal was allowed by way of remand.
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