2012 (5) TMI 300 - AT - Central Excise

Storage of manufactured goods to non manufacturing unit - due to shortage of space in their manufacturing unit, they took Central Excise registration for Unit III but no manufacturing activity was undertaken in the said Unit III except for certain minor activities such as checking and inspecting the raw materials received in respect of the quality. - held that - for mere storage of imported goods/excised goods, the appellants cannot claim Central Excise registration under Rule 9 of the Central Excise Rules, 2002. - Penalty confirmed - Registration invoked.

Summary

Issues:
Central Excise Registration for premises with no manufacturing activity; Whether warehousing of imported raw materials qualifies for Central Excise Registration under Rule 9 of Central Excise Rules, 2002.

Detailed Analysis:

1. The appeal challenged an Order-in-appeal revoking Central Excise registration for a premises (Unit III) where no manufacturing activity took place, only storage and stock transfer. A penalty of Rs.1000 was imposed under Rule 27 of the Central Excise Rules, 2002.

2. The appellants argued that as they conducted quality inspection/testing of imported raw materials at Unit III, essential for the manufacturing process, they were entitled to Central Excise Registration. Cited judgments of Tata Iron & Steel Co. Ltd. vs. Union of India and Daksha Cable Industries Pvt. Ltd. vs. CC, Mumbai in support.

3. The Revenue reiterated the lower authorities' findings, emphasizing the absence of manufacturing activity at Unit III.

4. The Tribunal analyzed Rule 9 of the Central Excise Rules, 2002, which mandates registration for premises involved in production, manufacture, trade, or warehousing of excisable goods. Importantly, excisable goods are defined under section 2(d) to include goods subject to excise duty, which the imported raw materials were not. Therefore, the mere storage of non-excisable goods did not qualify for Central Excise Registration.

5. The Tribunal distinguished the appellants' reliance on the Tata Iron & Steel Co. Ltd. case, clarifying that the issue of manufacturing activity differed significantly. The Daksha Cable Industries case was also distinguished as it involved procedural irregularities, absent in the current case.

6. Conclusively, the Tribunal found no merit in the appellants' arguments, upholding the lower authorities' decision to revoke Central Excise Registration for Unit III and dismissing the appeal.

This comprehensive analysis delves into the core legal issues surrounding the revocation of Central Excise Registration for a premises with no manufacturing activity, emphasizing the key regulatory provisions and judicial precedents that guided the Tribunal's decision.