Clarification regarding changes made or proposed in Budget 2012-2013 - Central Excise - D.O.F.No.334/ 3/2012-TRU

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE ***** Vivek Johri Joint Secretary (TRU-I) Tel: 23092687; Fax: 23092031 Email: johri.vivek@nic.in D.O.F.No.334/ 3/2012-TRU New Delhi, dated the 16th March, 2012. Dear Chief Commissioner/Commissioner, The Finance Minister has introduced the Finance Bill, 2012 in Lok Sabha today, i.e., 16th March, 2012. Changes in Customs and Central excise law and rates of duty have been proposed through the Finance Bill, 2012 [clauses 114 to 126 for customs; clauses 127 to 142 for Central Excise and clauses 151, 152, 154 to 156 for miscellaneous changes)]. In order to prescribe effective rates of duty and to carry out changes in the Rules made under the respective Acts, the following notifications are being issued: CUSTOMS: Notification Nos. Date Tariff No. 10/2012-Customs to No. 22/2012-Customs 17th March, 2012 Non-Tariff No. 20/2012-Customs(NT) to No. 22/2012-Customs (NT) 17th March, 2012 CENTRAL EXCISE Tariff No. 5/2012-CE to No. 19/2012-CE 17th March, 2012 Non-Tariff No. 7/2012-CE (NT) to No. 18 /2012-CE (NT) 17th March, 2012 M TP Tariff No. 1/2012 M TP 17th March, 2012 Unless otherwise stated, all changes in rates of duty take effect from the midnight of 16th March/17th March, 2012. A declaration has been made under the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act, 1931 in respect of clauses 127, 128, 140, 141 and 151 of the Finance Bill, 2012 so that changes proposed therein also take effect from the midnight of 16th March/17th March, 2012. The remaining legislative changes would come into effect only upon the enactment of the Finance Bill, 2012. Retrospective amendments in the provisions of law or notifications issued under the respective Acts shall have the force of law only upon the enactment of the Finance Bill, 2012 but with effect from the date indicated in the relevant clause or Schedule. These dates may be carefully noted. 2. Important changes in respect of Customs and Central excise duty are discussed below. Some important changes discussed under Central Excise such as the ones proposed for ships, vessels and dredgers have a direct relevance for Customs duties owing to CVD. I. CENTRAL EXCISE 3. Rate structure for goods, other than petroleum: 3.1 The standard rate of Central Excise duty for non-petroleum products has been enhanced from 10% to 12% ad valorem. The merit rate of excise duty for non-petroleum goods that hitherto attracted 5% has been increased to 6%. Similarly, the rate of duty of 1% imposed on 130 items in the last Budget has been increased to 2%. The exceptions to this increase are: Goods of heading no. 2701, i.e. coal; All goods of Chapter 31, other than those clearly not to be used as fertilizers; Articles of jewellery of heading 7113; and Mobile handsets and cellular phones of heading 8517. 3.2 As in the past, this concessional duty would be available only for goods in respect of which credit of duty on inputs and tax on input services has not been taken. Wherever credit is taken, the applicable duty would be 6%. In the case of jewellery, the scheme of levy has been rationalized. The details are discussed at para 8 below. 3.3 Changes consequential to changes in rate structure discussed above have also been carried out for clearances made by Export Oriented Units into the Domestic Tariff Area. The rate of excise duty on Medicinal and Toilet Preparations under the M TP (Excise Duties) Act has also been increased from 10% to 12% ad valorem. 3.4 As far as possible, the standard rate and the merit rate (of 6%) have been incorporated in the First Schedule to the Central Excise Tariff itself through suitable entries in the Finance Bill, 2012 (clause 141). Owing to the fact that the current tariff rates for most of the lines are higher, these rates have been given effect to through notification no. 18/2012-CE dated 17th March, 2012 till the time of enactment of the Finance Bill. 3.5 In most cases, concessional rates of duty were prescribed in notification nos. 3 to 6/2006-CE, all dated 1st March, 2006 and Notification no. 3/2005-CE dated 24.2.2005. Concessional rates were also available in notification nos.10/2006-CE dated 1.3.2006; 2/2008-CE dated 1.3.2008; and 59/2008-CE dated 7.12.2008. For ease of reference, many of these exemption notifications have been merged and the entries arranged in chronological order in notification no. 12/2012-CE dated 17.3.2012. Cement: 3.6 The rate structure applicable to Portland cement falling under heading no.252329 has been revised. Both for packaged cement manufactured by mini-cement plants as well as non-mini cement plants, there were differential rates of duty depending on the Retail Sale Price (RSP) per bag of 50kgs, so far. Moreover, the rates of duty applicable to mini-cement plants were lower compared to non-mini plants. Now, a uniform rate of duty is being prescribed regardless of the RSP per bag although a difference in the rates applicable to mini and non-mini cement plants is being retained. The details of these changes are as under: S.No. Description of goods Earlier rate Revised rate 1. Packaged cement manufactured in a mini-cement plant (i) Of retail sale price not exceeding Rs. 190 per 50 kg bag or of per tonne RSP not exceeding Rs. 3800 10% ad valorem 6% ad valorem + Rs. 120 PMT (ii) Of retail sale price not exceeding Rs. 190 per 50 kg bag or of per tonne RSP not exceeding Rs. 3800 10% ad valorem + Rs. 30 PMT 2. Packaged cement manufactured in a plant other than a mini-cement plant (i) Of retail sale price not exceeding Rs. 190 per 50 kg bag or of per tonne RSP not exceeding Rs. 3800 10% ad valorem + Rs. 80 PMT 12% ad valorem + Rs. 120 PMT (ii) Of retail sale price not exceeding Rs. 190 per 50 kg bag or of per tonne RSP not exceeding Rs. 3800 10% ad valorem + Rs. 160 PMT 3. Cement, not cleared in packaged form 10% ad valorem 12% ad valorem 4. Cement clinker 10% ad valorem + Rs. 200 PMT 12% ad valorem 3.7 Another important change in respect of Portland cement is that the item is being notified under section 4A of the Central Excise Act . Accordingly, the value for the purpose of charging duty on packaged cement would be determined on the basis of the Retail Sale Price. An abatement of 30% from the RSP is also being notified. Automobiles: 3.8 Rates of excise duty applicable to motor vehicles falling under heading nos.8702 and 8703 have been enhanced in the following manner: S. No. Description of goods Earlier rate Revised rate I. Length not exceeding 4 metres 1. Engine capacity not exceeding 1200cc (petrol, LPG or CNG) 10% ad val 12% ad val 2. Engine capacity not exceeding 1500 cc (diesel) 10% ad val 12% ad val II. Others 1. Engine capacity not exceeding 1500 cc 22% ad val 24% ad val 2. Engine capacity exceeding 1500 cc 22% + Rs. 15000 per unit 27% ad val 4. Cigarettes and biris: 4.1 There are two important changes in the rate structure applicable to cigarettes. The first is a modification in the size of the length-wise slabs for filter and non-filter cigarettes. Both in the case of filter and non-filter cigarettes, the lowest slab [tariff items 24022010 and 24022030] is of length not exceeding 60mm. This has been revised to length not exceeding 65mm. The size of the next slab [tariff items 24022020 and 24022040] has been curtailed for both categories and will now cover cigarettes of length exceeding 65mm but not exceeding 70mm. Corresponding changes have been made in the Seventh Schedule to the Finance Act, 2001 [pertaining to the levy of National Calamity Contingent Duty NCCD] and the Seventh Schedule to Finance Act, 2005 [relating to the levy of Additional Duty on Tobacco Products]. These changes have been carried out in the First Schedule to the Customs Tariff too. 4.2 As regards the rates of duty applicable to cigarettes, the specific rate of basic excise duty of Rs. 509 per thousand sticks currently applicable to cigarettes of length not exceeding 60mm will now apply to cigarettes of length not exceeding 65mm. Suitable exemption notifications have been issued for all three duties viz. basic excise duty, NCCD and Additional Duty of Excise to prescribe the rate currently applicable to cigarettes of length not exceeding 60mm to cigarettes of length not exceeding 65mm [ Notification nos.9/2012-CE , 10/2012-CE and 11/2012-CE all dated 17th March, 2012 may be seen]. For all slabs above this length i.e. 65mm, an ad valorem component of 10% has been added to the existing specific rates. As the relevant clause by virtue of which this changes is proposed in the Finance Bill [Clause 141] has been declared under the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act, 1931, this increase in duty would take effect immediately- from the midnight of 16th/17th March, 2012. 4.3 Cigarettes have been notified under section 4A of the Central Excise Act . Accordingly, the value for the purpose of charging the ad valorem component of duty would be the Retail Sale Price (RSP) printed on the pack less abatement of 50% [ Notification Nos. 7/2012-CE(NT) dated 17th March, 2012 refer]. The Third Schedule of the Central Excise Act has also been amended to include cigarettes through clause 140 of the Finance Bill, 2012. The implication is that the processes of packing or repacking of cigarettes and their labeling or relabeling including declaration or alteration of Retail Sale Price shall be deemed to be processes amounting to manufacture . By virtue of declarations under the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act, the changes in rates and other related changes for cigarettes shall come into effect tonight i.e. the midnight of 16th/17th March,2012. 4.4 Basic Excise duty on cigars, cheroots and cigarillos has been increased from 10% or Rs. 1227 per thousand, whichever is higher to 12% or Rs. 1370 per thousand, whichever is higher . By virtue of declarations under the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act, the changes in rates and other related changes for cigarettes shall come into effect tonight i.e. the midnight of 16th/17th March,2012. 4.5 In the case of bidis, the rates of basic excise duty for both hand-rolled and machine-rolled bidis have been increased by Rs. 2 per thousand. Thus, BED on hand-rolled bidis (tariff item 2403 1921) has gone up from Rs. 8 to Rs. 10 per thousand sticks and that on machine-rolled bidis (tariff item 2403 1929) from Rs. 19 to Rs. 21 per thousand. [ Notification No. 12/2012-CE dated 17th March, 2012 may be seen for details]. 5. Pan Masala, Gutkha, Chewing tobacco, Zarda Scented Tobacco and Unmanufactured tobacco in pouches: 5.1 The above items packed in pouches with the aid of packaging machines are leviable to excise duty in terms of section 3A of the Central Excise Act. The rates of duty applicable to all these items under the compounded levy scheme have been increased. The details are available in notification nos. 13 and 14/2012-CE both dated 17th March, 2012. 5.2 For Zarda Scented tobacco covered by the aforesaid provisions, Cenvat Credit of duty paid on goods cleared in bulk has been allowed to manufacturers packing it in pouches and operating under the compounded levy scheme. 6. Ready-Made Garments, made-up articles and textiles: 6.1 The rate of excise duty applicable to ready-made garments and made-up articles of textiles falling under Chapters 61, 62 and 63 (heading nos.63.01 to 63.08) of the Central Excise Tariff except those falling under heading nos.63.09 and 63.10 when they bear or are sold under a brand name has been increased from 10% to 12%. However, the tariff value for these items has been revised and shall now be equal Retail Sale Price (RSP) less abatement of 70% instead of 55%. In other words, duty would be payable on 30% of the RSP. 6.2 In terms of notification no.31/2011-CE dated 24.3.2011, full exemption from Central Excise duty is available to duty-paid, branded ready-made garments and made-ups returned or brought back to the same factory or premises and cleared after being re-made, re-conditioned, re-packed or subjected to any other process, subject to the fulfillment of certain conditions. Certain procedural relaxations have been made in the operation of this exemption. The exemption will now be available to goods returned or brought back to any registered premises of the same brand owner/ manufacturer and not only to those returned to the same factory. It would be available only if the goods are returned or brought back within a maximum period of one year from the date of their clearance. It has been clarified by way of an explanation that the threshold limit of 10% of the aggregate value of clearances for home consumption in the preceding year is to be computed for each factory/ registered premises separately. It has also been clarified that in computing this limit the value of goods cleared under the provisions of rule 16 of the Central Excise Rules are to be excluded. Finally, duty-free clearance after the prescribed processes have been carried out on the returned goods is to be allowed on the basis of a declaration from the manufacturer that the goods are duty-paid. This aspect should be verified on the basis of documents/ records maintained by the manufacturer at the time of audit of the unit. 6.3 The effective excise duty rate applicable to the textile sector (other than readymade garments and made ups bearing a brand name or sold under a brand name) is currently covered by Notification No. 29/2004-CE dated 9.7.2004. This notification is being superseded by notification no. 7/2012 CE dated 17th March, 2012. 7. Footwear: 7.1 Hitherto, footwear was subject to a three-tier excise duty rate structure. Footwear with RSP not exceeding Rs. 250 per pair was fully exempt; that with RSP exceeding Rs. 250 but not exceeding Rs. 750 per pair attracted the merit rate of 5% ad valorem and that with RSP exceeding Rs. 750 was chargeable to the standard rate. This rate structure is being rationalized into two slabs. Thus, footwear with RSP not exceeding Rs. 500 per pair has been fully exempted, while full duty would be chargeable on footwear with RSP exceeding Rs. 500 per pair. 7.2 The full exemption available to this item is subject to the fulfillment of the condition that the RSP should be indelibly marked or embossed on the footwear itself. It may kindly be ensured that this condition is complied with both for imported footwear and footwear manufactured domestically. 8. Precious metals and jewellery: 8.1 The scheme of levy of excise duty on precious metal jewellery has been revamped. Hitherto excise duty of 1% ad valorem was applicable to precious metal jewellery manufactured or sold under a brand name. The levy would now apply to both branded and unbranded goods (except silver jewellery) although at the same rate of duty of 1%. The important features of the scheme are as under: i. Duty would be chargeable on tariff value which is being prescribed under section 3 of the Central Excise Act. ii. Tariff value would be equal to 30% of the transaction value declared on the invoice and transaction value shall have the same meaning as assigned to it under section 4 of the Central Excise Act. iii. The benefit of SSI exemption would be available to manufacturers of precious metal jewellery and the aggregate value of clearances (both for the purpose of eligibility and exemption) would be computed on the basis of tariff value. Suitable provisions are being incorporated in notification no.8/2003-CE dated 1st March, 2003 so that for the purpose of determining eligibility of a manufacturer/ factory for SSI exemption for the year 2012-13, the computation of aggregate value of clearances of Rs. 4 crore for the year 2011-12 is made on the basis of the tariff value i.e. taking 30% of the transaction value and not full transaction value. It may be noted that the exemption limit for the remaining part of 2011-12 i.e. between 17th March, 2012 and 31st March, 2012 is not being curtailed for manufacturers of unbranded jewellery who would come into the tax net afresh. In other words, eligible manufacturers/ factories would be entitled to exemption for the full threshold limit of Rs. 1.50 crore for this period. For manufacturers who are already availing of the SSI exemption during 2011-12 also the computation of the exemption limit would have to be made on the basis of tariff value of clearances effected during the period from 17th March, 2012 to 31st March, 2012 by virtue of Explanation (C)(ii) of notification no.8/2003-CE dated 1.3.2003. Illustration- If a manufacturer X clears goods of value 1.4 crore till 16th March 2012, and from 17th March to 31st March 2012 manufacturer X clears goods of transaction value 30 lacs, the total value of clearances for SSI exemption in financial year 2011-12 shall be calculated as follows:- Value of clearances from 1st April 2011 to 16th March 2012= Rs. 1.4 crore Value of clearances from 17th March to 31st March 2012= Rs. 9 lacs(30% of transaction value 30 lacs) Total value of clearances financial year 2011-12= Rs. 1.49 crore iv. Rule 12AA of the Central Excise Rules has been amended to provide that every person who gets articles of jewellery of heading no.7113 produced or manufactured on job-work shall obtain registration, maintain accounts, pay duty leviable on such goods and comply with the procedural requirements, as if he is the manufacturer. In other words, those artisans or goldsmiths who only manufacture jewellery for others on job-work need not obtain registration. The option to the job-worker to register, if he so desires, has been deleted. It may kindly be ensured that the implementation of this scheme happens in a smooth, trade-friendly manner and no harassment is caused to assessees. 8.2 Unbranded jewellery is currently exempt. Full exemption from excise duty is being provided to branded silver jewellery. It may also be noted that in respect of articles of precious metals, the levy would continue to apply only to those articles that are manufactured or sold under a brand name. Full exemption from excise duty has been provided to gold coins of purity 99.5% and above and silver coins of purity 99.9% and above when manufactured from gold or silver on which the appropriate duty of customs or excise has been paid. 8.3 Excise duty on refined gold manufactured starting from the stage of ore, concentrate or dore bars has been increased from 1.5% to 3%. The same rate has been prescribed for refined gold produced from the smelting of copper. Refined silver obtained from the smelting of copper shall henceforth attract excise duty of 4%. 8.4 Excise duty on gold jewellery sold from EOUs into DTA has been increased from 5% to 10%. 9. Chassis for automobiles and parts of electric/ hybrid vehicles 9.1 Excise duty structure applicable to chassis falling under heading 8706 has been rationalized. Hitherto, such chassis attracted composite rates of duty consisting of an ad valorem component of 10% or 22% and a specific component of Rs. 10,000 per chassis. These have now been combined into an ad valorem rate and increased to 15% or 25% ad valorem respectively. 9.2 Concessional excise duty rate of 6% is being prescribed for batteries supplied to manufacturers of electrically operated vehicles, including two and three-wheeled electric motor vehicles. The benefit of the exemption would be available only to those manufacturers registered with the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency or any State Nodal Agency notified for the purpose by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy for Central financial assistance. 9.3 In the case of Lithium Ion batteries, the processes of matching, batching and charging or making of battery packs have been deemed to be processes amounting to manufacture. For this purpose, a Note has been inserted in Chapter 85 of the First Schedule to the Central Excise Tariff. The merit rate of 6% shall apply to battery packs of lithium ion batteries when supplied to manufacturers of hybrid or electric vehicles. 10. Ships, vessels and dredgers: 10.1 Full exemption from Central Excise duty (and hence CVD) available to ships, vessels and dredgers (goods of Chapter 89) was withdrawn in the last Budget and a concessional duty of 1% was imposed on the condition that no Cenvat Credit is taken by the manufacturer. Correspondingly, CVD of 5% became leviable on the import of these goods. By virtue of notification no.38/2011-CE dated 29th July, 2011 full exemption was granted to all goods of heading 8901 in respect of which a general licence under section 406 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 has been granted by the Director General Shipping. The following changes have been made in the duty structure applicable to ships, vessels and dredgers: (a) full exemption from excise duty available to ships and vessels shall now be available subject to fulfillment of the following conditions: i. If the ship or vessel is procured by a company or person holding a general licence- Indian/ foreign issued by the Director General, Shipping under section 406 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 for the ship or vessel; ii. the ship or vessel is used only for this purpose; iii. such company or person undertakes to pay,- a. full duty on the vessel if it converts to coastal status against a general licence; b. 1/120th part of the aggregate duty payable on the vessel for each month (or part thereof) of operation as a coastal vessel if such conversion is for a specified period. Notification No. 12/2012-Central Excise dated 17th March, 2012 has been issued for this purpose. (b) For the removal of doubts, a retrospective exemption from additional duty of customs (CVD) has been provided to foreign-going vessels imported into India for the period from 1st March, 2011 to 16th March, 2012 [ Clause 125 of the Finance Bill, 2012 refers]. This shall come into effect on the date of enactment of the Bill. (c) For the period starting 17th March, 2012, also full exemption from additional duty has been provided to foreign-going vessels imported into India but on the fulfillment of certain conditions viz that a Bill of entry shall be filed for the vessel when it converts into a coastal vessel and additional duty would be payable on the following basis: i. if the licence obtained for coastal trade at the time of conversion is a general one i.e. without specified period of validity, duty would be payable as if there were no exemption; ii. if the licence for coastal trade is for a specified period , and a. import is by the owner of the vessel or his agent, then 1/120th part of the aggregate duty would be payable on the vessel for each month (or part thereof) of stay in India as a coastal vessel; or b. if the import is against a lease agreement/ contract, then duty shall be payable on the lease value of the contract. Illustration I: If a vessel imported by a Shipping Line ABC Company as a foreign-going vessel converts into a coastal vessel for 6 months and the value of the vessel declared by the importer is Rs. 2 crore, the duty payable would be calculated in the following manner: (2*0.0618) * 6/120 = Rs. 61,800, where the rate of duty is 6.18% Illustration II: If a vessel is imported by an Indian corporate on lease basis for use after import on payment of a total rental of Rs. 50 lakh for a period of 3 months, the duty payable would be calculated in the following manner: 50* 0.618 = Rs. 3.09 lakh, where the rate of duty is 6.18% Notification No. 12/2012-Customs dated 17th March, 2012 has been issued for this purpose. (d) Unlike other vessels, dredgers do not qualify for treatment as foreign-going vessels as they are not engaged in the carriage of goods or passengers In the case of import of dredgers too, additional duty would be payable on the basis of length of stay in India or lease value (as discussed for foreign-going vessels at sub-para (b) above). However, this duty would be payable at the time of import of the dredger. Notification No. 19 and 20/2012-Customs both dated 17th March, 2012 have been issued for this purpose. 11. Crude Petroleum: 11.1 The rate of cess leviable as a duty of excise on crude petroleum under the Oil Industries Development Act has been increased from Rs. 2500 per metric tonne to Rs. 4500 per metric tonne. [ Clause 151 of the Finance Bill, 2012 refers]. A suitable declaration under the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act has been made in respect of this clause. Accordingly, the increase comes into force with effect from the midnight of 16th/17th March, 2012. 12. Relief Measures: 12.1 Full exemption from excise duty has been provided in the following cases: Specified raw materials viz. stainless steel tube and wire, cobalt chromium tube, Hayness Alloy-25 and polypropylene mesh required for manufacture of Coronary stents/ coronary stent system and artificial heart valve on actual user basis. Refills and inks in bulk packs (not meant for retail sale) used for manufacture of pens of value not exceeding Rs. 200 per piece. The entry intraocular lens‟ has been removed from Sl. Nos. 115 67 of Central Excise Notfn. Nos. 1/2011-CE 2/2011-CE , both dated 1.3.2011 and will be exempted from Central Excise Duty under CETH 9021. 12.2 Parts, components and specified accessories viz. battery chargers, PC Connectivity Cables, Memory cards and hands-free headphones required for the manufacture of mobile phones are fully exempt. However, standard rate is chargeable when such goods are cleared as spares. Concessional rate of excise duty of 2% is now being provided for such spares on the condition that no CENVAT Credit of any inputs or input services is availed of. 12.3 Excise duty has been reduced from 10% to 6% on: Matches manufactured by semi-mechanised units the latter being units that carry out the processes of frame-filling or dipping of splints with the aid of machines LED lamps Iodine Processed food products of soya Parts of Blood Pressure Monitors and Blood glucose monitoring systems (Gluco-meters) on actual user basis Specified raw materials viz. Polypropylene, Stainless Steel Strip and Stainless Steel capillary tube for manufacture of syringe, needle, catheters, and cannulae on actual user basis. 13. Classification of Natural marble Slabs subjected to processes of resin filling, fibre netting and Polishing: 13.1 Marble slabs and tiles are classified under Chapter 25 or Chapter 68 of the Central Excise Tariff depending on the extent to which they have been finished. Polished marble slabs are classifiable under heading 6802 21 90 which attracts the general effective rate of 10% ad val. Concessional excise duty of Rs. 30 per square meter is applicable to marble slabs and tiles falling under heading nos. 25151220, 25151290 or 6802 21 10 in terms of notification no.4/2006-CE dated 1.3.2006. Representation were received by the Board that the benefit of this exemption is not being extended to polished marble slabs of heading 68022190 as the latter does not find specific mention in the exemption entry even though covered by the description. It is pertinent to mention that the Board has examined similar issues in the past on more than one occasion and clarified that the benefit of exemption will be available to goods as long as they are covered by the description. It is clarified that the benefit of concessional rate of Rs. 30 per square metre is available to polished marble slabs of heading 68022190 under the said notification. For the removal of doubts, however, the relevant exemption entry is being amended to specifically include CETH 6802 21 90. [ Notification No.12/2012-CE dated 17th March, 2012 refers]. 14. Excise Duty exemption on Pipes used for Collector wells: 14.1 Currently excise duty exemption is available vide Serial No.7 of Notification No. 6/2006-CE dated 1.3.2006 which includes; (1) All items of machinery, including instruments, apparatus and appliances, auxiliary equipment and their components/parts required for setting up water treatment plants, (2) Pipes needed for delivery of water from its source to the plant (including the clear treated water reservoir, if any, thereof) and from there to the first storage plant and (3) Pipes of outer diameter exceeding [10cm] when such pipes are integral part of water supply project. Water supply project for the purposes of this exemption include the desalination plant, demineralization or purification of water or for carrying out similar process and process intended to make water fit for human or animal consumption, but does not include a plant supplying water for industrial purpose. 14.2 A doubt has arisen whether the pipes used for water supply projects executed in river bed with zero energy consumption by using open well, infiltration well, collector well etc are covered by this exemption. It has been explained by Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage (TWAD) Board that generally Mild steel pipes of 30cm diameter with perforations are driven into the river bed in these projects. As pointed out above, pipes of diameter exceeding 10cm, if these are an integral part of the project, are eligible for exemption. Since pipes used for these projects match the description in the exemption, it is clarified that MS pipes of diameter 30cm used in collector well, infiltration well for water purification are eligible for exemption from excise duty under Serial no.233 of Notification No. 12/2012-CE dated 17.3.2012. 15. Important Legislative Amendments: 16.1 Barring legislative amendments involving an increase in the rate of duty for which a suitable declaration has been made under the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act, all amendments would come into effect on the date of enactment of the Finance Bill, 2012 i.e. the date on which the Bill receives the assent of the President. The legislative amendments relating to Central Excise Act and Central Excise Tariff Act have been explained in the Explanatory Memorandum to the Finance Bill, 2012 . The important ones are discussed/ highlighted below: 15.2 The provisions of the Central Excise Act relating to offences and penalties are being aligned with those under the Customs Act. In terms of section 9(1)(i) of the Act, offences involving excisable goods where the duty leviable exceeds Rs. 1 lakh are punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years and with fine. It is proposed to enhance this duty amount to Rs. 30 lakh. [Clause 130 of the Bill refers] 15.3 Section 9A of the Act presently provides that all offences under the Act shall be deemed to be non-cognizable within the meaning of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Sub-section (1) of this section is proposed to be substituted to prescribe that offences, other than offences punishable with imprisonment of three years or more under section 9, shall be non-cognizable. [Clause 131 of the Bill refers]. Through clause 135 of Finance Bill, 2012 , section 13 dealing with the power to arrest is being substituted with a new section 13 and section 13A. The revised section 13 provides that offences punishable with imprisonment of three years or more under section 9 shall be cognizable. Section 13A is being inserted to provide that bail in the case of offences punishable with a term of imprisonment of three years or more under section 9 shall not be granted by a Court or Magistrate without an opportunity being given to the Public Prosecutor to present his case. However, in the case of minors, infirm and women the Magistrate may grant bail. Further, it excludes the jurisdiction of police officers to initiate investigation of offences under the Central Excise Act, unless authorized in this behalf by the Central Government, by a special or general order 15.4 Section 12F relating to search and seizure is being amended to align the provisions with Customs Act (Clause 134). Section 18 is being substituted to provide that save as provided under the Central Excise Act, searches shall be carried out as per the procedure laid down in the Code of Criminal Procedure [Clause 136]. As a corollary to these changes, section 19 is being omitted and some consequential amendments are being carried out in section 20. 15.5 Section 11AC provides for reduced penalty if the duty along with interest is paid within 30 days of the communication of the order. It is being amended to make available the benefit of reduced penalty only if the reduced penalty is also paid within the specified period of thirty days. [Clause 133] 15.6 Notification No.1/2010-CE dated 6th February, 2010 provides exemption from Central Excise duty to goods cleared from new units or units that have undertaken substantial expansion in the State of Jammu and Kashmir for a period of ten years from the date of commencement of commercial production. Doubts were raised about the interpretation of provisions of this exemption relating to the date from which the ten years period is to be computed in the case of units undertaking substantial expansion. The notification is being amended retrospectively from the date of issue of the said notification i.e. 6th February, 2010 to provide that for units undertaking substantial expansion, the exemption period of ten years would be computed from the date of commercial production from the expanded capacity [Clause 139]. Amendments to First Schedule of Central Excise Tariff Act: 15.7 The First Schedule to the Central Excise Tariff is being amended so as to carry out the following changes: i. omit the words or polishing in Note 6 of Chapter 25 so as to remove doubts about the correct classification of polished marble; ii. revise the description of tariff items 2601 11 10 to 2601 11 90 covering iron ore and concentrates based on Fe content; iii. insert a note in chapter 48 to provide that notwithstanding anything contained in Note 12, if the paper and paper products of heading 4811, 4816 or 4820 are printed with any character, name, logo, motif or format they shall remain classified under Chapter 48 as long as such products are intended to be used for further printing, to avoid classification disputes; iv. insert a note in Chapter 71 to provide that for the purposes of headings 7113 and 7114, the process of affixing or embossing trade name or brand name on articles of jewellery or on articles of goldsmiths‟ or silversmiths‟ wares of precious metal or of metal clad with precious metal, shall amount to manufacture ; v. insert a note in Chapter 72 to provide that the process of oiling and pickling in respect of goods of heading 7208 shall amount to manufacture ; vi. insert a note in Chapter 76 to provide that the process of cutting, slitting and printing of aluminium foils shall amount to manufacture ; vii. insert a note in Chapter 85 to provide that the processes of matching, batching and charging of Lithium ion batteries or the making of battery packs shall amount to manufacture ; viii. align the entries relating to copper scrap, brass scrap, nickel scrap, aluminium scrap, lead scrap and zinc scrap with the revised ISRI classification. 15.8 Through clause 142 of the Finance Bill, a Note is being inserted in Chapter 54 to provide that notwithstanding anything contained in Note 1, man-made fibre such as polyester staple fibre and polyester filament yarn manufactured from plastic and plastic waste including waste polyethylene terephthalate bottles shall be classified as textile material under Chapter 54 or Chapter 55, as the case may be. This amendment is being carried out with retrospective effect from 29.06.2010. Duty in respect of clearances already made is to be recovered from the manufacturers of these goods within one month of the date of enactment of the Finance Bill, 2012 failing which interest at the rate of 24% is payable. Simultaneously, the manufacturers are being permitted to take into account credit of duty paid on inputs, input services and capital goods. 16. Amendments in Central Excise Rules, 2002 16.1 Rule 22 (3) is being amended to empower the officers of audit, cost accountants and chartered accountants appointed under section 14A or 14AA to prescribe the time limit within which the units being audited will produce the documents. 17. Amendments in Cenvat Credit Rules, 2004 17.1 Rule 3(5) and 3(5A) are being amended to prescribe that in case the capital goods on which Cenvat credit has been taken are cleared after being used then the amount payable shall be either the amount calculated on the basis of Cenvat credit taken at the time of receipt reduced by a prescribed percentage or the duty on transaction value whichever is higher. 17.2 Rule 10A is being inserted to permit transfer of unutilized credit of SAD lying in balance at the end of each quarter to another factory of the manufacturer 17.3 Rule 14 is being amended to substitute the word or with and so that interest is not payable on credit wrongly taken unless the same is utilized. Similar changes are being carried out in Rule 16 of the Chewing Tobacco and Unmanufactured Tobacco Packing Machines (Capacity Determination and Collection of Duty) Rules, 2010. However, penalty provisions for such cases have not been amended. II. CUSTOMS 18. Rate structure: 18.1 There is no change in the peak rate of basic customs duty of 10% applicable to non-agricultural goods with few exceptions which are separately discussed. The rates below the peak are also being retained. Notification no. 21/2002-Customs dated 1.3.2002 prescribing the general effective rates is being superceded by Notification No. 12/2012-Customs dated 17.3.2012. 19. Computation of Customs Duties: 19.1 The method of computation of Education Cess and Secondary Higher Education cess on imported goods is being simplified. Currently, these cesses are first charged on the CVD portion of customs duty and thereafter on the aggregate of customs duties (excluding special CVD). The portion of cesses leviable on the CVD portion of customs duty is being exempted so as to avoid computation of such cesses twice. Illustration: Present Proposed A Assessable value (CIF + Landing Charges) 100 100 B Basic customs duty (BCD) 10% 10.00 10.00 C Value for CVD (A+B) 110.00 110.00 D CVD equivalent to central excise duty 10% 11.00 11.00 E Educational Cess on CVD 2% 0.22 0 F Sec. and Higher Educational Cess 1% 0.11 0 G Customs duty for calculation of Cess 21.33 21 H Customs Educational cess 2% 0.43 0.42 I Customs Secondary and higher educational cess 1% 0.21 0.21 J Value for SAD 121.97 121.64 K SAD @ 4% 4.88 4.865 Total Duty 26.85 26.495 20. Special Additional Duty: 20.1 Notification Nos. 20/2006-Customs dated 1.3.2006 and 29/2010-Customs dated 27.2.2010 are being superceded by notification no.21/2012-Customs dated 17.3.2012 which prescribes the effective rates of SAD. 20.2 Brass scrap, wood in the rough, dredgers and equipments for setting up of solar thermal projects are being fully exempted from SAD. 20.3 The existing exemption from special additional duty of customs (SAD) currently available to CRGO steel is being restricted to prime quality of such steel. 20.4 A condition is being inserted in Notification No.21/2012-Customs dated 17th March, 2012 requiring the importer of specified goods to declare the State of destination where the goods are intended to be sold for the first time after import and the VAT registration number. This condition would apply to such goods imported on or after 1st May, 2012. 20.5 As mentioned above, CENVAT Credit Rules are being amended to permit transfer of unutilized credit of SAD lying in balance at the end of each quarter to other registered premises of the same manufacturer. This change would come into effect from 1.4.2012. [ Notification No.18/2012 CE (NT) dated 17th March, 2012 refers] 21. Baggage Allowance: 21.1. The duty-free allowance under the Baggage Rules is being increased from Rs. 25000 to Rs. 35000 for passengers of Indian origin and from Rs. 12000 to Rs. 15000 for children upto 10 years of age. 22. Rate changes on Specific Items: 22.1 Increases: 22.2. The basic customs duty/CVD is being increased on the following items: From 60% to 75% on Completely Built Units (CBUs) of large cars/ MUVs/ SUVs permitted for import without type approval (value exceeding US$40,000 and engine capacity exceeding 3000cc for petrol and 2500cc for diesel) from 5% to 7.5% on boric acid From Nil to 10% on Digital Still Cameras of certain specifications. From 5% to 7.5% on flat rolled products (HR and CR) of non-alloy steel is being increased From 2% to 4% on standard gold bars and platinum bars From 5% to 10% on non-standard gold From 1% to 2% on gold ore/concentrate and dore bars for refining(CVD) Basic customs duty of 2% is being imposed on cut and polished coloured gemstones. [Notification No. 12/2012-Customs dated 17th March, 2012 has been issued for this purpose]. From 10% to 30% on bicycles and from 10% to 20%. on parts of bicycles [Clause 127] As the said clause has been declared under the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act, 1931, this increase in duty would take effect immediately- from the midnight of 16th/17th March, 2012. 23. Textile Machinery: 23.1 Full Basic Customs Duty exemption has been provided to shuttle less looms, parts/components of shuttle less looms by actual users for manufacture, specified silk machinery viz. Automatic reeling/ dupion reeling machines and their accessories including cocoon assorting machines, cocoon peeling machines, vacuum permeation machine, cocoon cooking machine, reeled silk humidifier, bale press and raw silk testing equipments. The exemption is available only to new machinery. 23.2 The concessional 5% duty available to specified textile machinery under erstwhile Notification. No. 21/2002-Customs dated 1.3.2002, superseded by Notification no.12/12-Customs dated 17th March,2012 is being restricted only to the new textile machinery. Consequently second hand machinery would attract 7.5%. basic customs duty. 24. Relief Measures: 24.1. Full exemption from basic customs duty is being provided to certain items as under: Initial setting up and substantial expansion of fertilizer projects. The exemption would be valid till 31.03.2015. Steam coal. CVD is also being reduced from 5% to 1% on such coal. This dispensation would be valid upto 31.3.2014. Natural gas/Liquified Natural Gas imported for power generation by a power generation company. Uranium concentrate, sintered natural uranium dioxide, sintered uranium dioxide pellets for generation of nuclear power. Steel tube wire, cobalt chromium tube, Hayness Alloy-25 and polypropylene mesh for the manufacture of coronary stents/coronary stent systems and artificial heart valves subject to actual user condition. Equipment imported for road construction projects awarded by Metropolitan Development Authorities along with Nil CVD and Nil SAD Tunnel excavation and specified lining equipment along with Nil CVD and Nil SAD Coal mining projects New and retreaded aircraft tyres along with Nil CVD. Parts of aircraft and testing equipment for maintenance and repair of aircraft imported by third-party Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) units. Tunnel boring machines for hydel and road projects for all infrastructure projects. The exemption is also being provided to parts required for assembly of such machines. Tri-band phosphor Waster paper Lithium ion batteries for the manufacture of battery packs for supply to electric or hybrid vehicle manufacturers along with 6% CVD and Nil SAD 24.2 The basic customs duty is being reduced on the following items: (i) From 30%/15% to 10% on,- Isolated soya protein and soya protein concentrate Probiotics. (ii) From 10% to 7.5% on,- Railway safety (Train Protection and Warning System) equipment and railway track laying machines Machinery and instruments for surveying and prospecting of mines Titanium Dioxide (iii)From 10%/ 7.5% to 5%, on- Specified coffee plantation and processing machinery. The concessional duty would be available upto 31.3.2014. Coffee brewing and vending machines (commercial type). The concessional duty would be available upto 31.3.2014. Specified soluble fertilizers and liquid fertilizers, other than urea. Raw materials for the manufacture of intermediates, parts and sub-parts of blades for rotors for wind energy generators. Six specified life saving drugs/vaccines and their bulk drugs is being reduced from 10% to 5% with Nil CVD by way of excise duty exemption Iodine. (iv) From 7.5% /5% to 2.5%, on- Sugarcane planter, root or tuber crop harvesting machine and rotary tiller weeder, parts components for their manufacture. Parts required for manufacture of such coffee vending and brewing machines (commercial type). Specified raw materials for the manufacture of syringes, needles, catheters, cannulae along with Nil SAD and 6% CVD subject to actual user condition Parts and components for the manufacture of blood pressure monitors and blood glucose monitoring systems (Gluco-meters) along with Nil SAD and 6% CVD. Capital goods, plant and equipment imported for setting up or substantial expansion of iron ore pellet plants or iron ore beneficiation plants Specified soluble fertilizers and liquid fertilizers, other than urea. 25. Other Project Imports: 25.1 At present, project import status is available to installation of Mechanized Handling Systems Pallet Racking Systems in mandis or warehouses for food grains and sugar, with concessional rate of basic customs duty of 5% with full exemption from additional duty of customs (CVD) and special additional duty of customs (SAD). This exemption is being extended to such systems installed for handling horticultural produce. 25.2 Project imports status with 5% BCD is being granted to the green houses set up for protected cultivation of horticulture and floriculture produce. [ Notification No. 17 /2012-Customs and Notification No. 12/2012 Customs both dated 17th March, 2012 has been issued for this purpose]. 26. Important Legislative Amendments: 26.1 Barring legislative amendments involving an increase in the rate of duty for which a suitable declaration has been made under the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act, all amendments would come into effect on the date of enactment of the Finance Bill, 2012 i.e. the date on which the Bill receives the assent of the President. The legislative amendments relating to Customs Act and Customs Tariff Act have been explained in the Explanatory Memorandum to the Finance Bill, 2012 . The important ones are discussed/ highlighted below: 26.2 Sections 2 and 7 are being amended to include airfreight stations‟ [Clause 114 and 115] 26.3 A new section 28AAA is being inserted to provide for recovery of duties, from the person to whom the instrument such as duty credit scrips was issued, where the instrument was obtained by means of collusion or wilful mis-statement or suppression of facts by the such person without prejudice to any action that may be taken against the importer. [Clause 116]. Section 28BA is being amended to make the provisions relating to provisional attachment of property applicable to the proposed Section 28AAA [Clause 116]. 26.4 Section 47 is being amended to insert a new proviso therein to provide that the Central Government may, by notification in the official gazette, specify the class or classes of importers who shall pay customs duty electronically.[Clause118] 26.5 Section 104 is being amended to provide that notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, all offences under the Act (except an offence punishable with term of imprisonment of three years or more under section 135) shall be non-cognizable and bailable. It also provides that all offences punishable with a term of imprisonment of three years or more under section 135 shall be cognizable.[Clause 120]. 26.6 Section 104A is being inserted to provide that bail in the case of offences punishable with a term of imprisonment of three years or more under section 135 shall not be granted by a Court or Magistrate without an opportunity being given to the Public Prosecutor to present his case. However in the case of minors, infirm and women the Magistrate may grant bail. It also excludes the jurisdiction of police officers to initiate investigation in cases under the Customs Act, unless authorized in this behalf by the Central Government by a special or general order [Clause 121] 26.7 Section 122 is being amended to enhance the monetary limits for adjudication of cases involving confiscation of goods and imposition of penalty from Rupees two lakh to Rupees five lakh for Deputy/ Assistant Commissioners and from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 50,000 for Gazetted officer lower in rank to Assistant/ Deputy Commissioner. [Clause 122] 26.8 Section 138 deals with summary trial of offences. This section is being amended to exclude offences punishable with term of imprisonment of three years or more under section 135 since it is being proposed that such offences shall be cognizable. [Clause 123] 26.9 Section 153 is being amended to bring courier services‟ within its ambit for the purpose of serving any order/decision/summons/notice by the Commissioner. [Clause 124] 27. Amendments in the First Schedule and Second Schedule to the Customs Tariff Act. 27.1 The First schedule to the Customs Tariff Act is being amended to,- revise the length of the lowest slab of both filter and non-filter cigarettes of length not exceeding 60 millimetres or exceeding 60 millimetres to length exceeding or not exceeding 65 millimetres revise the description of tariff items 2601 11 10 to 2601 11 90 dealing with iron ore and concentrates based on Fe content insert Note 13 in Chapter 48 to provide that notwithstanding anything contained in Note 12, if the paper and paper products of heading 4811, 4816 or 4820 are printed with any character, name, logo, motif or format they shall remain classified under Chapter 48 as long as such products are intended to be used for further printing. This would prevent classification disputes. align the entries relating to copper scrap, brass scrap, nickel scrap, aluminium scrap, lead scrap and zinc scrap with the revised ISRI classification. [Clause 127] 27.2 The Second Schedule to the Customs Tariff Act is being amended to enhance the rate of export duty on chromium ore from Rs. 3000 per tonne to 30% ad valorem. [Clause 128] This change will come into effect immediately owing to a declaration under the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act, 1931. 28. Customs (Import of Goods at Concessional Rate of Duty for Manufacture of Excisable Goods) Rules, 1996 28.1 The Customs (Import of Goods at Concessional Rate of Duty for Manufacture of Excisable Goods) Rules, 1996 is being amended to further liberalize and simplify the procedure. The important changes are as under: Eligibility Certificate can be obtained for a period not exceeding a year instead of consignment wise or quarterly certificate at present; Permitting re-export of unused/ rejected goods imported at concessional duty under the said Rules with the prior permission of the jurisdictional Assistant Commissioner of Deputy Commissioner of Central Excise, as the case may be, subject to the condition that- Such re-export takes place within six months from the date of importation The re-export value should not be less than the value of the imports. Maintenance of separate accounts for these rules should not be insisted upon as long as the records maintained by the importer contain the requisite information. 29. In order to achieve a sharper focus, I have alluded only to the key highlights of the budgetary changes in this communication. The details are contained in the Finance Bill and notifications which alone have legal force. My team and I have made every possible effort to avoid the occurrence of errors or mistakes in the Budget documents. However, given the scale of changes, errors cannot be ruled out. I shall be grateful if the provisions of the Finance Bill are studied carefully and feedback on issues that may need clarification is provided urgently. 30. It may kindly be ensured that the changes are implemented in a smooth manner without causing any inconvenience to the taxpayers and other stakeholders. All possible efforts may be made to guide the taxpayers by holding interactive sessions/ seminars for their benefit. In case of any doubt or difficulty, I would request you to bring it immediately either to my notice or to the notice of Shri Yogendra Garg, Director (TRU) (Tel No.011-23092236; e-mail: y.garg@nic.in) or Ms. Limatula Yaden, Director (TRU) (Tel No. 011-23092753; e-mail: l.yaden@nic.in ). We can also be reached at budget-cbec@nic.in. 31. Copies of Finance Bill, 2012 , Finance Minister‟s Budget Speech, Explanatory Memorandum to the Bill, relevant notifications and Explanatory Notes etc. can be downloaded directly from www.indiabudget.nic.in as well as www.cbec.gov.in. 32. To conclude, my team and I would like to express my gratitude to you for the valuable suggestions, feedback and support and would look forward to your comments/ suggestions. With regards and best wishes, Yours sincerely, (Vivek Johri) To All Chief Commissioners/ Directors General All Commissioners of Customs All Commissioners of Central Excise All Commissioners of Customs and Central Excise All Commissioners of Service Tax Commissioner DPPR/ Logistics/Legal Affairs/ Data Management