2002 (1) TMI 68 - SC - Customs

Summary

Issues involved: Interpretation of HSN Explanatory Notes in customs classification.

Summary:
1. The Supreme Court allowed civil appeals arising from orders of the Customs, Excise and Gold (Control) Appellate Tribunal, remanding the matters for re-consideration due to the Tribunal's failure to give due weight to the Explanatory Notes in the Harmonized System of Nomenclature (HSN).

2. Referring to a previous judgment, the Court emphasized that the Central Excise Tariff structure is based on the internationally accepted nomenclature in the HSN, and any conflict should be resolved with reference to the HSN unless the Central Excise Tariff Act expressly indicates otherwise. The Court highlighted the importance of interpreting terms in alignment with the HSN when no different intention is indicated in the Indian Tariff.

3. The Tribunal's oversight in disregarding the HSN Explanatory Notes was noted, as it was revealed that the Collector (Appeals) had indeed relied on these Notes in a previous decision regarding photographic apparatus for making printing blocks.

4. Consequently, the civil appeals were allowed, the previous orders were set aside, and the matters were remanded to the Tribunal for fresh consideration, allowing all contentions to be raised by the parties involved.

5. The Court made no order as to costs in this matter.