2022 (5) TMI 1597 - AAR - Customs

Classification of import goods - clear float glass having absorbent layer - Eligibility of exemption notification no. 46/2011-Cus. dated 01.06.2011 - wrong mention of HS code in the COO - HELD THAT - The subject goods are clear float glass, with an absorbent layer, which is fluorescent under UV illumination. The subject goods are not wired, tinted or green in colour. The heading 7005 10 covers non-wired glasses having an absorbent, reflecting or non-reflecting layer and the headings 7005 21 to 7005 29 deal with non-wired glasses which are tinted having absorbent layer, pacified, flashed etc. Therefore, the subject goods are appropriately covered under sub-heading 7005 1090. Based on the applicant's submission about the country of origin and the manufacturer of the subject goods, benefits under sr. no. 934 of the table annexed to the exemption notification no. 46/2011-Cus. dated 01.06.2011, would be available, subject to the condition that in respect of each case of import, the applicant would have to produce evidence before the Deputy/Assistant Commissioner of Customs as to the origin of subject goods. While the reasons for adopting the HS code 7005 2990 in the export documents is not clear, the communication from MITI makes it clear that as the organisation responsible for issuing COO certificates, their expertise is not in classification and they would abide by any decision in this regard by Indian or Royal Malaysian Customs. Whether the benefits of the relevant notification would be allowed to the applicant if the COO certificate do not mention the HS code as 7005 1090? - HELD THAT - There is no dispute that when goods are being imported into India the classification would have to comply with Indian laws. If the classification of the subject goods under sub-heading 7005 1090 is correct, as suggested by the applicant and concurred by the Jurisdictional Commissioner of Customs, it would be a travesty of justice to deny the benefit of an exemption available to that sub-heading - if the subject goods are classifiable under the sub-heading 7005 1090 based on their nature, characteristics properties, then they would remain eligible for the afore mentioned exemption irrespective of the HS code mentioned in the COOs. Thus, the subject goods 'Clear Float Glass' with absorbent layer on only one side would merit classification under heading 70.05 and more specifically, under subheading 70051090 of the first schedule to the Customs Tariff Act, 1975. The said imports shall also be governed by the provisions of Notification No. 37/2020-Customs (ADD) dated 11.11.2020, that seeks to impose definitive anti-dumping duty on Clear Float Glass, originating in or exported from Malaysia and imported into India. Further, the benefit of Sr. No. 934 of the table appended to the notification no. 46/2011-Cus. , dated 01.06.2011, shall be extended to the subject goods in terms of the said notification, provided the applicant in each case of import shall produce evidence as to the origin of subject goods before the Deputy/Assistant Commissioner of Customs.

Summary

Issues Involved:
1. Classification of clear float glass having an absorbent layer.
2. Eligibility of exemption notification no. 46/2011-Cus. dated 01.06.2011.
3. Eligibility of the exemption notification no. 46/2011-Cus. dated 01.06.2011 for the subject goods in the event of wrong mention of HS code in the Certificate of Origin (COO).

Issue-wise Detailed Analysis:

1. Classification of Clear Float Glass Having an Absorbent Layer:

The applicant, a partnership concern trading in glass and mirrors, sought advance rulings on the classification of "Clear Float Glass with Absorbent layer." The subject goods are intended to be imported from Malaysia and are used for decorative, industrial, or automotive purposes. The applicant argued that the goods should be classified under sub-heading 7005 1090, which covers non-wired glasses having an absorbent layer. The Customs Authority for Advance Rulings (CAAR) examined the characteristics and manufacturing process of the subject goods and concluded that they are appropriately covered under sub-heading 7005 1090. The ruling referenced a previous decision (CAAR/Mum/ARC/36/2021) which also classified similar goods under 7005 1090.

2. Eligibility of Exemption Notification No. 46/2011-Cus. Dated 01.06.2011:

The applicant sought to claim the benefit of a 'Nil' rate of customs duty under exemption notification no. 46/2011-Cus. for goods falling under CTH 7005 1090 if imported from Malaysia. The CAAR considered the provisions of the notification, which prescribes effective rates of duty for specified goods imported from ASEAN countries, including Malaysia. The notification requires proof of origin to the satisfaction of the Deputy/Assistant Commissioner of Customs. The CAAR ruled that the benefit under Sr. No. 934 of the table annexed to the exemption notification no. 46/2011-Cus. would be available for the subject goods, provided the applicant produces evidence of the origin of the goods for each case of import.

3. Eligibility of the Exemption Notification No. 46/2011-Cus. Dated 01.06.2011 for the Subject Goods in the Event of Wrong Mention of HS Code in the COO:

The applicant raised a concern about the eligibility for exemption if the HS code mentioned in the COO differs from the correct classification. The CAAR noted that the subject goods are being exported from Malaysia under HS code 7005 2990, which does not match the Indian classification of 7005 1090. The CAAR emphasized that the classification of imported goods must comply with Indian laws. If the correct classification is 7005 1090, the benefit of the exemption should not be denied due to a mismatch in the HS code on the COO. The CAAR referenced communication from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) of Malaysia, which indicated that the Royal Malaysian Customs accepted the HS code 7005 1090 for similar goods. The CAAR concluded that the eligibility for exemption under Sr. No. 934 of the notification would not be adversely affected by the wrong mention of HS code in the COO, provided the goods are correctly classified under 7005 1090 based on their nature, characteristics, and properties.

Conclusion:

The CAAR ruled that the subject goods "Clear Float Glass with Absorbent layer on only one side" should be classified under heading 70.05, specifically under sub-heading 7005 1090. The imports would also be governed by Notification No. 37/2020-Customs (ADD), which imposes anti-dumping duty on Clear Float Glass from Malaysia. The benefit of Sr. No. 934 of notification no. 46/2011-Cus. would be extended to the subject goods, provided the applicant produces evidence of the origin of the goods for each import. The eligibility for the exemption would not be affected by the wrong mention of HS code in the COO.