CUSTOMS - Changes in Rate of Duty and Baggage Rules

Chapter 1 to 7: No change

Chapter 8

8.1       The basic customs duty (BCD) on hazel nuts is being reduced from 30% to 10%. Notification No.12/2012-Customs, dated    1^st March,    2012 as amended by notification No. 12/2013-Customs, dated 1^st March, 2013 refers. S. No. 23A contains the changes.

8.2       In notification No 12/2012-Customs, at S. No. 24 of the Table, sub-heading 0802 50 00 (Pistachios) is being replaced by sub-headings 0802 51 00 and 0802 52 00. This is a technical rectification.

Chapter 9 to 10: No change

Chapter 11

11.1     The BCD on de-hulled oat grain is being reduced from 30% to 15%. Notification No.12/2012-Customs, dated 1^st March, 2012 as amended by notification No. 12/2013-Customs, dated 1^st March, 2013 refers. S. No. 38A contains the changes.

Chapter 12 and 14: No change.

Chapter 15

15.1     Peanut butter is presently classified undersub-heading 1517 90 20 of the Customs Tariff whereas, under the Harmonised System, peanut butter is classified under sub-heading 2008 11. To align our Tariff Schedule with HSN, an amendment has been proposed in the Finance Bill, 2013 (Clause 76 read with Third Schedule) to delete the current sub-heading 1517 90 20 and entries relating thereto from the Tariff. By virtue of this amendment, hereafter, the peanut butter will fall under sub-heading 2008 11, which is the correct classification as per the HSN.

15.2     Presently, peanut butter attracts a concessional BCD of 7.5% under notification No. 12/2012-Customs (S. No 71 of the Table). In view of the amendment referred to above, subheading 1517 90 20 is being deleted from S. No. 71. However, the concessional duty is being continued under notification No. 12/2012-Customs at new S. No. 88A. In the connection, notification No. 12/2013-Customs refers.

Chapter 16: No change

Chapter 17

17.1     Raw sugar, white or refined sugar (1701) has been included in the Second Schedule to the Customs Tariff Act, 1975 (Export Schedule) vide Clause 77 read with Fourth Schedule of the Finance Bill, 2013 with a tariff rate of 20%.   Exemption is however provided under notification No 27/2011-Customs dated 1.3.2011, as amended by notification No 15/2013-Customs, dated the 1^st March 2013. Thus, raw sugar, white or refined sugar will not attract any export duty.

Chapter 18-22: No change

Chapter 23

23.1     De-oiled rice bran oil cake is being exempted from export duty. S. No. 12   of notification No. 27/2011-Customs, dated 1^st March 2011, as amended by notification No.15/2013-Customs, dated 1^st March 2013 refers.

Chapter 24 and 25: No change

Chapter 26

26.1     Bauxite and ilmenite are being incorporated in the Second Schedule to the Customs Tariff Act, 1975(Export Schedule)with a tariff rate of 30%. (Clause 77 read withthe Fourth Schedule to the Finance Bill, 2013). However, the effective duty is being prescribed at 10% on bauxite (2606 0010 and 2606 0020) and unprocessed ilmenite (2614 0010) and at 5% on upgraded ilmenite (2614 00 20). In this connection, notification No. 27/2011-Customs dated the 1^st March as amended by notification No.15/2013-Customs, dated 1^st March 2013 refers. New S. Nos. 24A, 24B, 24C and 24D contain the changes. By virtue of the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act, 1931, the levies will come into force with immediate effect.

Chapter 27

27.1     The BCD on bituminous coal is being reduced from 5 % to 2 % and CVD from 6 % to 2 %. The BCD on steam coal is being raised from Nil to 2% and CVD from 1% to 2%. Hereafter, both steam coal and bituminous coal will attract a uniform rate of 2% BCD and 2% CVD. Notification No.12/2012-Cus, as amended by notification No. 12/2013-Customs refers. Changes are contained in S. Nos 122 A, 123 and 124 of the Table.

Chapter 28-49: No change.

Chapter 50

50.1     The BCD on raw silk is being increased from 5% to 15%. S. No.276 of notification
No.12/2012-Customs, as amended by notification No.12 /2013-Customs, dated the 1^st March
2013 refers.

Chapter 51 and 52: No change

Chapter 53

53.1     Presently, coir yarn (53.08) is mentioned at S. No. 43 of notification No. 27/2011-Customs. In column (4), which is presently blank, the entry Nil is being inserted. This is a technical rectification. In this connection, notification No.15 /2013-Customs, dated the 1^st March 2013 refers.

Chapter 54 - 70: No change

Chapter 71

71.1     Basic customs duty is being reduced on pre-forms of precious and semi-precious stones from 10% to 2%. Notification No.12/2012-Customs, dated 1^st March, 2012 as amended by notification No.12/2013-Customs, dated     1^st March,    2013 refers. S. No.312A contains the changes.

71.2.   Under the Foreign Trade Policy (paragraph 4A.2.2), an exporter with annual export turnover of Rs 5 crore for each of the last three years is allowed to export cut & polished diamonds (each of 0.25 carat or more) abroad to any of the designated laboratories/agencies with re-import facility at zero duty within 3 months from the date of export. In this regard, a variance not exceeding +_1mm in height and circumference and not exceeding +_1 cent in weight is allowed between exported and re-imported cut and polished diamonds. In this connection, Explanation 1 of notification No. 9/2012-Customs, dated the 9th March, 2012 refers.This limit is being revised in respect of height and circumference from+_1 mm to +_0.01 mm. The variation in respect of weight shall remain unchanged. Notification No. 9/2012-Customs, dated the 9th March, 2012 as amended by notification No. 11/2013-Customs, dated the 1^st March, 2013 may be referred to for details.

Chapter 72

72.1      Flat rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, plated or coated with zinc (sub-headings 7210 30 10, 7210 30 90, 7210 41 00, 7210 49 00, 7212 20 10, 7212 20 90, 7212 30 10 and 7212 30 90) are being exempted from export duty retrospectively from 1^st March 2011. In this connection, clauses 75 and 77 of the Finance Bill, 2013 may be referred to for details. The changes will come into force upon enactment of the Finance Bill. In the meanwhile, export duty may not be collected on the afore-cited product. Prior to 1^st March 2011, this product was exempt from export duty under notification No. 77/2008-Customs, dated 13^th June 2008.

Chapter 73

73.1.   Under notification No 12/2012-Customs (S No. 371), specified goods for manufacture of catalytic convertors and their parts attract a concessional BCD of 5%. Stainless Steel Wire Cloth Stripe (sub-heading 7314 14 10) and Wash Coat (sub-heading 3824 90 90) are being added to the list for availing of concessional duty of 5%.

Chapter 74-83: No change.

Chapter 84

84.1     The BCD on 20 specified machinery for use in the leather industry or footwear industry is being reduced from 7.5% to 5%. Descriptions of certain leather and footwear machinery items are being modified. S No 390 (List 29) of notification No. 12/2012-Cus, as amended by notification No. 12/2013-Customs, dated the 1^st March 2013 refers.

84.2     The BCD on all textile machinery and parts thereof falling under headings 8444 to 8449 is being reduced from 7.5% to 5%. Notification No.12/2012-Customs, dated 1^st March, 2012 as amended by notification No. 12/2013-Customs, dated 1^st March, 2013 refers. S. No. 406A contains the changes.

Chapter 85

85.1     The BCD on Integrated Decoder Receiver, also known as Set Top Box, is being increased from 5% to 10%. S. No411 of notification No.12/2012-Customs, as amended by notification No.12 /2013-Customs, dated the 1^st March 2013 refers.

 85.2     LCD and LED TV Panels of 19” and above are presently exempt from BCD under notification No 12/2012-Customs (S. No. 432). In this connection, a doubt has been raised whether this exemption is available for LCD and LED TV Modules or otherwise. It is clarified that LCD and LED TV Panels and LCD and LED TV Modules are one and the same thing for the purpose of exemption under this notification.

85.3     Presently, all goods required for the manufacture of the goods falling under heading 8541 are exempt from BCD subject to actual user condition. Solar cells and solar modules are classified under heading 85.41. It has been brought to the notice of the Ministry that this exemption has been denied at certain places although the imported goods are required for the manufacture of solar cells and solar modules. It is clarified that the BCD exemption under S No39 of notification No. 24/2005-Customs, dated        1^st March,    2005 is available to all goodsincluding chemicals and electronic parts required for the manufacture of solar cells whether or not assembled in modules or panels.

Chapter 86: No change

Chapter 87

87.1   The validity period of exemption granted to identified parts of hybrid and electric vehicles is being extended by two more years up to 31^st March, 2015. Clauses (g) and (h) of Proviso to notification No.12/2012-Customs, as amended by notification No. 12/2013-Customs, dated the 1^st March 2013 refers.

87.2     BCD is being exempted on lithium ion automotive battery for manufacture of lithium ion battery packs for supply to the manufacturers of hybrid and electric vehicles. Notification No.12/2012-Customs (S. No 438), as amended by notification No. 12/2013-Customs, dated the 1^st March 2013 refers.

87.3      At present, cars and other motor vehicles, new with FOB value more than US $ 40,000 and with engine capacity more than 3000 cc for petrol-run vehicles and more than 2500 cc for diesel-run vehicles attract a BCD of 75%. In this connection, notification No 12/2012- Customs (S No 437, (2) (a) of the Table) refers. The entry is being amended to read: “...with CIF value more than US $ 40,000 or with engine capacity more than 3000 cc for petrol-run vehicles and more than 2500 cc for diesel-run vehicles or with both”. Further, the BCD on these cars/motor vehicles is being increased from 75% to 100%. Thus, hereafter, these cars/ motor vehicles with CIF value more than US $ 40,000 would attract 100% BCD regardless of engine capacity.
Similarly, regardless of value, cars/motor vehicles with engine capacity more than 3000 cc for petrol-run vehicles and more than 2500 cc for diesel-run vehicles would attract BCD at 100%. S. No 437 of notification No. 12/2012-Cus, as amended by notification No. 12/2013-Cus, dated the 1^st March 2013 refers.

87.4     The BCD on import of old cars is being increased from 100% to 125%. Clause 76   of the Finance Bill 2013 refers. By virtue of the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act, 1931, the levy will come into force with immediate effect.

87.5   The BCD on new motorcycles with engine capacity of 800cc or more is being increased from 60% to 75%. Notification No.12/2012-Customs (S No 443), as amended by notification No. 12 /2013-Customs, dated the 1^st March 2013 may be referred to for details.

Chapter 88

88.1     Exemption from education cess and secondary & higher education cess is being withdrawn on aeroplanes, helicopters and their parts. For this purpose, S Nos 51 and 52 and entries relating thereto are being deleted from notification No 69/2004-Customs, dated 9^th July 2004. The relevant entry at S. No 1 is also being deleted. In this connection, notification No. 9/2013- Customs, dated 1^st March 2013 refers.

88.2      The time period for consumption/installation of parts and testing equipment imported for maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of aircraft by units engaged in such activities is being increased from 3 months to 1 year. S. No.448 of notification No.12/2012-Customs (Condition 73), as amended by notification No. 12/2013-Customs, dated the 1^st March 2013 refers.

88.3   The customs duty exemption on parts and testing equipment for maintenance, repair and overhauling of aircraft is being extended to parts and testing equipment for maintenance repair & overhauling of aircraft and aircraft parts. S. No.448 of notification No.12/2012-Customs, as amended by notification No. 12/2013-Customs, dated the 1^st March 2013 refers.

88.4   Private category aircrafts are being included in the list of eligible categories of aircrafts for the purpose of availing of the exemption under notification No 12/2012- Customs.S. No.448 of notification No.12/2012-Customs, as amended by notification No. 12/2013-Customs, dated the 1^st March 2013 refers.

88.5     The terms “scheduled air transport service” and          “scheduled air cargo service” areexplained in condition No.      75 of notification No.     12/2012-Cus dated   17.3.2012. In thisconnection, a doubt has been raised whether exemption granted to parts and testing equipment imported for servicing, repair or maintenance of scheduled airlines includes foreign airlines or otherwise. Under S. Nos. 448 and 454 of the notification No. 12/2012-Customs read with condition Nos. 73 and 21 respectively, exemption has been provided for servicing, repair or maintenance of aircraft used for operating “scheduled air transport service” and “scheduled air cargo service”. The term “scheduled air transport service”/ “scheduled air cargo service”, as defined under condition No 75 of the afore-said notification, does not exclude foreign airlines. It is as such clarified that the aforesaid exemption available for “scheduled air transport service” and “scheduled air cargo service” includes foreign airlines that meet the definition of scheduled air transport and air cargo service.

88.6     Under S. No. 450 of the notification No. 12/2012-Customs read with condition 75 (ii), a foreign registered aircraft, that is brought into India for the purpose of “a flight to or across India” and which is intended to be removed within the time period specified for the purpose, is exempt from customs duty. In this connection, doubts have been raised whether the term “a flight to India” means “one landing and one take off” or it entitles the aircraft to fly to different destinations within India during the stipulated period of stay in India. The matter has been examined and it is clarified thatthe term“a flight to India”by a foreign registered non-scheduled aircraft shall mean a flight which after completion of its itinerary (which may include multiple destinations in India) leaves India within the stipulated period of 15 days, or as extended by the competent authority in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, not exceeding 60 days from the date of entry.

Chapter 89

89.1     By virtue of excise duty exemption on ships and vessels (89.01, 89. 04, 89.05 and 89.06 90 00), there will no CVD leviable on these ships and vessels. Notification Nos. 19/2012- Customs and 20-2012-Customs, both dated 17^th March 2012 and S. No 462 of notification No.  12/2012-Customs, which have become redundant due to excise duty exemption, are being rescinded.

89.2     Basic customs duty on yachts and other vessels (89.03) is being increased from 10% to 25%. Clause 76 of the finance Bill, 2013 refers. By virtue of the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act, 1931, the levy will come into force with immediate effect.

89.3   The time limit for consumption of imported goods for the purpose of repair of ocean going vessels by ship repair units is being increased from 3 months to 1 year. S. Nos.459 and 460 of notification No.12/2012-Customs (Conditions 79 and 80), as amended by notification No.

12/2013-Customs, dated the 1^st March 2013 refers.

Chapter 90-98: No change.

Miscellaneous:

(i)         Full exemption is being provided to trophy when imported into India by National Sports Federation recognized by the Central Government or any Sports Body registered under any law for the time being in force in connection with international tournament to be held in India. Notification No. 146/1994-Customs, dated the 13^th July, 1994 as amended by notification No. 14/2013-Customs, dated the 1^st March 2013 refers.