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2015 (11) TMI 378 - SC - CustomsBenefit of duty drawback - Conversion of free shipping bills into drawback shipping bills - Circular No. 04/2004 dated 16.01.2004 - Held that:- conversion is permissible only when the exporter is able to satisfy the Commissioner that "for reasons beyond his control" drawback was not claimed. In the instant case, a finding of fact is arrived at by the Commissioner (Customs), which has been accepted by the High Court also, that no case was made out by the appellant to suggest that claim for duty drawback was beyond the control of the appellant. It is rightly pointed out that merely because the appellant was not aware of the correct legal position would not afford any such ground that it was beyond his control. Benefit of Circular No. 04/2004 dated 16.01.2004 - Held that:- After taking note of the provisions contained in Rule 12(1)(a) of the Rules which undoubtedly state that "no provision exists for permitting conversion of free shipping bills into drawback shipping bills", the Board was still of the opinion that it was permissible for the Commissioner to examine and consider individual requests on merits and facts in terms of the aforesaid provisions and the relaxation shall only apply in respect of drawback claims pertaining to All Industry Rates of drawback and it would not apply to brand rate of duty drawback, where rate is claimed in terms of Rule 6 or Rule 7 of the Customs & Central Excise Duties Drawback Rules. Appellant wanted only "All Industry Rates of duty drawback". Reasons given by the Commissioner that the goods were not physically examined would be of no relevance. This view of ours further stands substantiated on the reading of Sections 50, 51 and 113 of the Customs Act. - proper officer is to satisfy itself only to the extent that the goods which are entered for export are not prohibited goods and the exporter has paid the duty at the time of clearance of the goods meant for export and therefore, the inspection is confined to the aforesaid aspect viz. the goods are not prohibited. Since in the present case, goods are not dutiable, no duty has to be paid. Therefore, there was no reason for denying the benefit only on the ground that at the time when the appellant had sought the duty drawback, the goods could not be physically examined. This position is further supported when we compare the fundamental provisions of Section 113 with the amendment to the said Section carried out by the Finance Act, 2003 (w.e.f. 14th May, 2003). In the instant case amended provisions are applicable - provisions of Circular No. 04/2004 dated 16.01.2004 would be applicable in the instant case. The Commissioner may examine and consider the individual request on merits and facts in terms of the aforesaid provisions. We remit the case back to the Commissioner - Decided in favour of assessee.
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