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2017 (7) TMI 649 - AT - Service TaxCargo Handling Agent Service - Held that: - provisions of sub-section (23) of section 65 of the Finance Act, 1994, Cargo Handling Service means loading, unloading, packing or un-packing of cargo and includes Cargo Handling Services provided for freight in special containers or for non-containerized freight, services provided by a container freight terminal or any other freight terminal, for all modes of transport and Cargo Handling Service incidental to freight, but does not include handling of export cargo or passenger baggage or mere transportation of goods - From the definition of Cargo Handling Service , what emerges is that mere transportation of cargo is excluded from that definition. Every activity of service of transportation of goods will surely include some manner of loading and unloading of the goods. The question to be asked is whether such loading/unloading is the primary activity involved in the services carried out. From the facts of the matter at hand, we find that the answer is in the negative. Just because appellant carried out ancillary activities of loading, unloading etc., which is not the essential character of the activity contracted to him but only ancillary to the main work of transportation of break-bulk cargo, it would not be just and proper to bring such activity within the fold of "Cargo Handling Service". The essential character of the activity carried out is only transportation. In view of Board's clarification, we have no doubt that such activity cannot then fall under the ambit of cargo handling service. Appeal allowed - decided in favor of appellant.
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