2015 (10) TMI 613 - SC - Central Excise

Valuation - inclusion of freight in the transaction value - place of removal - Whether, by virtue of a transit insurance policy in the name of the manufacturer, excise duty is liable to be recovered on freight charges incurred for transportation of goods from the factory gate to the buyer's premises, treating the buyer's premises as the place of removal - Held that:- As has been seen in the present case all prices were "ex-works", like the facts in Escorts JCB's case [2002 (10) TMI 96 - SUPREME COURT]. Goods were cleared from the factory on payment of the appropriate sales tax by the assessee itself, thereby indicating that it had sold the goods manufactured by it at the factory gate. Sales were made against Letters of Credit and bank discounting facilities, sometimes in advance. Invoices were prepared only at the factory directly in the name of the customer in which the name of the Insurance Company as well as the number of the transit Insurance Policy were mentioned. Above all, excise invoices were prepared at the time of the goods leaving the factory in the name and address of the customers of the respondent.

When the goods were handed over to the transporter, the respondent had no right to the disposal of the goods nor did it reserve such rights inasmuch as title had already passed to its customer. On facts, therefore, it is clear that Roofit's judgment is wholly distinguishable. Similarly in Commissioner Central Excise, Mumbai-III v. M/s. Emco Ltd [2015 (8) TMI 200 - SUPREME COURT], this Court re-stated its decision in the Roofit Industries' case [2015 (4) TMI 857 - SUPREME COURT] but remanded the case to the Tribunal to determine whether on facts the factory gate of the assessee was the place of removal of excisable goods. This case again is wholly distinguishable on facts on the same lines as the Roofit Industries case.

Decided against Revenue.