Clarification of Metallic Yarn made out of duty paid Metallised polyester film as Handicrafts - Central Excise - 280/114/96-CX

Clarification of Metallic Yarn made out of duty paid Metallised polyester film as Handicrafts Circular No. 280/114/96-CX Dated 19-12-1996 (From F. No. 56/296 - CX.1) Government of India Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue) Central Board of Excise and Customs New Delhi Subject : Clarification of Metallic Yarn made out of duty paid Metallised polyester film as Handicrafts. Under Board's Circular No. 128/39/95, dated 25-5-1995, it was clarified that imitation or real zari made of gold, silver thread or man-made metallic yarn made out of duty paid polyester film (metallised/lacquered) namely kaseb, kalabatu, tilla, wire thread or zari thread and metallic yarn should be treated as 'handicrafts' for the purposes of Notification No. 76/86, dated 10-2-1986. The Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of C.C.E., New Delhi v. Louis Shoppe Anr.[1996 (83) E.L.T. 13 (S.C.) = (1996) (13) RLT 507 (S)] has laid down that wooden furniture by itself can be treated as 'handicrafts' if the following tests are satisfied :- "1. It must be predominantly made by hand. It does not matter if some machinery is also used in the process. 2. It must be graced with visual appeal in the nature of ornamentation or in-lay work or some similar work lending it an element of artistic improvement. Such ornamentation must be of a substantial nature and not a mere pretence". In the circumstances, it is hereby clarified that while deciding the cases in view of the Board's Circular referred to above, the criteria for any goods to be treated as 'handicrafts' laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court may also be kept in view.