Clarification regarding exports under claim for drawback in the GST scenario - Customs - PUBLIC NOTICE NO. 30/2017

MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS CUSTOM HOUSE, NEW HARBOUR ESTATE, THOOTHUKUDI - 628004. C. No. VIII/48/06/2016-Cus.Pol. Date: 03.08.2017 PUBLIC NOTICE NO. 30/2017 Sub: Clarification regarding exports under claim for drawback in the GST scenario-Reg. Attention of all Exporters / Importers/ Custom Brokers/ Clearing Agents / Steamer Agents/ Shipping agents/ Trade and Industry and Public is invited to the Circular No. 32/2017-Cus dated 27.07.2017 on the above cited subject. 2. As you are aware, the higher All Industry Rates (AIRS) under Duty Drawback scheme viz. rates and caps available under columns (4) and (5) of the Schedule of All Industry Rates of Duty Drawback have been continued for a transition period of three months i.e.01.07.2017 to 30.09.2017 (Circular No. 22/2017-Customs dated 30.06.2017). 3. Various issues have been highlighted by exporters regarding the requirement of a certificate to be obtained from the jurisdictional GST officer prescribed vide Note and Condition 12A of Notification 131/2016-Cus (N.T.) dated 31.10.2016 as amended by Notification 59/2017-Cus (N.T.) dated 29.06.2017. The certificate aimed to ensure that there was no double neutralisation of taxes by way of credit/ refund and drawback. However, in view of factors such as absence of clarity about jurisdictional GST officer, time lag between exports and the requisite returns to be filed under GST laws, etc., the said certificate from GST officer may not be available immediately at the time of export. 4. Keeping in mind the above difficulties, the Government has amended Note and Condition 12A of Notification 131/2016-cus (N.T.) dated 31.10.2016 by Notification 73/2017- Cus (N.T.) dated 26.07.2017 and dispensed with the requirement of the certificate from GST officer to claim higher rate of drawback. To facilitate exports, the higher rate of drawback can be claimed on the basis of self-declaration to be provided by exporter in terms of revised Note and Condition 12A of aforesaid Notification. 5. Since Notes and Conditions of Notification No. 131/2016-Cus (NT) dated 31.10.2016 (as amended) are integral part of the rates of drawback given under the Schedule to said Notification, accordingly in terms of the Section 75(3) of the Customs Act, 1962 and Rule 5(2) of the Customs, Central Excise Duties and Service Tax Drawback Rules, 1995, it may be noted that the changes made in Note and Condition 12A shall be applicable w.e.f. 1.7.2017 itself. Thus, exports which have been made from 1.7.2017 onwards shall be governed by the revised Note and Condition 12A. For all exports made w.e.f 1.7.2017 for which higher rate of drawback is claimed, exporter has to submit the self-declaration in the format attached. This format is also being suitably included in the EDI shipping bill. In respect of exports that have already been made, exporters may submit a single declaration regarding the export products covered in past shipping bills for which let export order has been given from 1.7.2017 onwards. This shall be irrespective of any certificate or declaration, if any, given earlier. 6. Another aspect that may be noted is that there could be cases where export goods had been cleared from factory, warehouse, etc. prior to 01.07.2017 but let export order has not been issued before 01.07.2017. Such goods are not supplies under GST and accordingly, said Note and Condition 12A is not applicable. For such goods, the declaration from exporter or certificate from the then Central Excise officer as applicable in terms of Note and Condition 12 of said Notification No. 131/ 2016-Customs (NT) shall continue. 7. Difficulty faced in this regard, if any, may be brought to the notice of this office. Encl: Self-declaration for claiming higher rate of AIR of duty drawback (K.V.V.G. DIWAKAR) COMMISSIONER