The case revolves around the issuance of a show cause notice ...

Import contraband case misses time limit, customs show cause notice invalid - license revocation & penalties avoided.

Case Laws     Customs

September 21, 2024

The case revolves around the issuance of a show cause notice (SCN) beyond the prescribed time limitation for an alleged violation involving the import of contraband, primarily cigarettes. The appellant obtained an investigation report dated 17.10.2014 from the Commissioner of Customs, which detailed the facts of the case and recommended initiating proceedings against the appellant for violations under various regulations of the Customs Brokers Licensing Regulations (CBLR) 2013 and 2018. The tribunal observed that since the investigation report, considered the offence report, was issued on 17.04.2014, and the SCN was issued on 06.12.2018, it was clearly barred by the limitation period. Consequently, the SCN itself did not survive the limitation period. As the SCN for revocation of license, forfeiture of security, and imposition of penalty under CBLR 2013 did not survive due to the limitation issue, the questions of revocation, forfeiture, and penalty imposition did not arise. The appeal was allowed by the CESTAT (Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal).

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