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2015 (7) TMI 998 - AT - CustomsClassification of vessels - Offshore Hunter - coastal tug offshore hunter with barge freight' - Denial of benefit of Notification No. 21/2002 and 20/2006 - Confiscation of goods - Imposition of redemption fine - Penalty u/s 114A and 112 - if the vessel is used for carrying persons and cargo as well as for towing operations, what is the primary purpose for which the vessel is designed - Held that:- Commissioner finds that rule 3a and rule 3b are not applicable and therefore he resorts to rule 3c which states that where goods cannot be classified by reference to 3a or 3b, they shall be classified under the heading which occurs last in the numerical order among those which equally merit consideration. There is no doubt about the applicability of Rule 3A which states that the heading which provides the most specific description shall be preferred. In the present case, the vessel is designed as a supply vessel for transport of persons as per the Certificate of Indian Registry. - As the vessel in question is a supply vessel used for transport of persons and goods, the correct classification would be CSTH 89019000 which covers "Other vessels for transport of the goods and other vessels for transport of both persons and goods." And the goods falling under CTH 8901 are exempted under Not 21/2002 read with Notification No. 20/2006. Revenue has invoked the extended time period to demand duty be alleging that the appellant had mis-declared the capabilities of the vessel before the proper officer who did the first check examination. It is also alleged that the proper officer was clearly misguided by the Certificate of Registry. This allegation has no basis whatsoever. We have seen the examination report of the DC customs. It indicates inspection and examination of the vessel with respect to the Certificate of Indian registry. It also indicates that the vessel has a winch with steel wire, bollards at the sides. The Custom officers were free to examine the vessel with respect to any documents for the purpose of determination of classification. - There is no misdeclaration whatsoever. Consequently there is no question of confiscation and option to redeem on payment of redemption fine. We set aside the confiscation. - classification ordered by the Commissioner is set aside along with the demand of duty, interest and penalties on the appellant as well as the Directors. - Decided in favour of assessee.
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