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2009 (7) TMI 662 - AT - Customs


Issues Involved:
1. Eligibility for exemption under Notification No. 21/2002-Cus. and 6/2006-CE. for "Ventilator used with Anaesthesia apparatus."

Analysis:

Issue 1: Eligibility for exemption under Notification No. 21/2002-Cus. and 6/2006-CE. for "Ventilator used with Anaesthesia apparatus."

In Appeal No. C/630/07, M/s. Datex Ohmeda (India) Pvt. Ltd. imported Anesthetic Ventilator System (AVS) seeking clearance under concessional rates. The Commissioner (A) found that the imported AVS machines were entitled to exemption benefits under the notifications as they integrated ventilator system with anaesthesia delivery control, thus qualifying as AVS. The literature on the product and expert opinion supported this finding, leading to the allowance of appeals filed by Datex against the assessment orders.

In Appeal No. C/9/08, the Commissioner (Appeals) affirmed the denial of exemption benefits under the same notifications for AVS consignments, stating that the equipment should be a ventilator used with anaesthesia apparatus or actually used with it to qualify for the benefit. The Commissioner relied on expert opinions and market understanding that the impugned goods were primarily anaesthesia systems, not ventilators used with anaesthesia apparatus. The appellants challenged this decision on grounds of natural justice and inconsistency with a previous order allowing similar benefits.

During the hearing, the appellants cited a Tribunal decision supporting the entitlement of identical equipment to the disputed exemption. The technical literature and expert opinions provided by both parties detailed the functions of the impugned equipment, emphasizing its ventilator capabilities used with anaesthesia apparatus. The Tribunal found that the impugned goods indeed qualified as "Ventilator used with Anaesthesia apparatus" under the notifications, thus vacating the Commissioner's decision and allowing the appeal filed by Datex.

In conclusion, the Tribunal upheld the eligibility of the AVS machines for exemption benefits under the notifications, rejecting the revenue's appeal seeking to deny the benefits to similar goods. The decision was based on the composite functions of the equipment, cost differentials, and expert opinions supporting its classification as a ventilator used with anaesthesia apparatus.

This detailed analysis of the legal judgment highlights the issues involved, the arguments presented by both parties, the expert opinions considered, and the final decision rendered by the Tribunal in favor of the appellant.

 

 

 

 

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