Tax Management India. Com
Law and Practice  :  Digital eBook
Research is most exciting & rewarding
  TMI - Tax Management India. Com
Follow us:
  Facebook   Twitter   Linkedin   Telegram

Home Case Index All Cases Customs Customs + AT Customs - 2025 (3) TMI AT This

  • Login
  • Cases Cited
  • Summary

Forgot password       New User/ Regiser

⇒ Register to get Live Demo



 

2025 (3) TMI 694 - AT - Customs


ISSUES PRESENTED and CONSIDERED

The core legal questions considered in this judgment were:

  • Whether the appellant violated Regulations 10(a), 10(d), 10(n), and 10(q) of the Customs Brokers Licensing Regulations (CBLR) 2018.
  • Whether the penalty of revocation of license, forfeiture of security deposit, and imposition of a penalty was proportionate to the violations.

ISSUE-WISE DETAILED ANALYSIS

Regulation 10(a)

Relevant legal framework and precedents:

Regulation 10(a) requires a Customs Broker to obtain an authorization from each client and produce it when required by the Deputy or Assistant Commissioner of Customs.

Court's interpretation and reasoning:

The Court found that the appellant failed to produce the authorization when called for, despite claiming to have obtained it. The requirement to produce the authorization is not extraordinary, as the Customs Broker frequently visits the customs house.

Key evidence and findings:

The appellant did not respond to several summonses and only claimed to have the authorization during a personal hearing.

Application of law to facts:

The Court concluded that the appellant violated Regulation 10(a) by failing to produce the authorization when required.

Regulation 10(d)

Relevant legal framework and precedents:

Regulation 10(d) requires a Customs Broker to advise clients to comply with relevant laws and report non-compliance to the customs authorities.

Court's interpretation and reasoning:

The Court found no evidence that the appellant failed to advise the exporter or knowingly ignored non-compliance.

Key evidence and findings:

The appellant submitted that it was unaware of any overvaluation or fraudulent activities by the exporter.

Application of law to facts:

The Court determined that the appellant did not violate Regulation 10(d) as there was no proof of non-compliance or failure to report.

Regulation 10(n)

Relevant legal framework and precedents:

Regulation 10(n) requires a Customs Broker to verify the correctness of the Importer Exporter Code (IEC), GSTIN, client identity, and client functioning at the declared address using reliable documents, data, or information.

Court's interpretation and reasoning:

The Court held that the Customs Broker is not required to physically verify client premises and can rely on documents issued by government officers.

Key evidence and findings:

The appellant provided KYC documents, IEC, and GSTIN, and verified them through official websites.

Application of law to facts:

The Court concluded that the appellant fulfilled its obligations under Regulation 10(n) by verifying documents and had not violated this regulation.

Regulation 10(q)

Relevant legal framework and precedents:

Regulation 10(q) requires a Customs Broker to cooperate with customs authorities and join investigations promptly.

Court's interpretation and reasoning:

The Court found that the appellant failed to cooperate with the investigation by not responding to multiple summonses.

Key evidence and findings:

The appellant claimed not to have received several summonses and provided excuses for non-appearance.

Application of law to facts:

The Court determined that the appellant violated Regulation 10(q) by not cooperating with the investigation.

SIGNIFICANT HOLDINGS

The Court found that the appellant violated Regulations 10(a) and 10(q) but did not violate Regulations 10(d) and 10(n). The penalty of Rs. 50,000/- was upheld, but the revocation of the license and forfeiture of the security deposit were set aside, applying the doctrine of proportionality. The Court concluded that the penalty imposed was sufficient to meet the ends of justice.

 

 

 

 

Quick Updates:Latest Updates