TMI Blog2023 (8) TMI 1299X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... sion of material facts or misrepresentation of facts, shall render such ruling to be void ab initio in accordance with Section 104 of the Act. 5. The provisions of both the Central Goods and Service Tax Act and the Tamil Nadu Goods and Service Tax Act are the same except for certain provisions. Therefore, unless a mention is specifically made to such dissimilar provisions, a reference to the Central Goods and Service Tax Act would also mean a reference to the same provisions under the Tamil Nadu Goods and Service Tax Act. The applicant M/s Haworth India Private Limited, having registered premises at Survey no. 260/4, Kiloy Village, Sriperambudur, Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu-602105 (hereinafter referred to as the applicant) is registered under the GST Act 2017 with GSTIN 33AAACH8417K1ZK. The Applicant has sought Advance Ruling on the following questions: 1. In the facts and circumstances of the case, whether the transfer of title of goods by the Applicant to its customers or multiple transfers within the FTWZ would result in bonded warehouse transaction covered under Schedule III of the CGST Act, 2017 r/w CGST Amendment Act, 2018? 2. Whether the Integrated Tax (IGST) Circular No. ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... possible and as may be required, ensuring that there is no cascade of indirect taxes / compliance and avoids increase in transaction cost. 2.5. The Applicant has submitted the flow of Transaction in FTWZ for Proposed Transaction as detailed below: * The Applicant secures space in the FTWZ for a fee to store the imported goods from a unit holder. The Applicant executes required lease agreement with the FTWZ unit holder and deposits the goods from the port by filing Bill of Entry (BOE). FTWZ, owned and operated by independent third party merely clears and warehouses the goods imported. The FTWZ shall collect warehousing charges from the Applicant. * On receipt of purchase order from the customer, the Applicant places an order with the overseas supplier for required goods. Once the goods are shipped, the Applicant intimates the FTWZ unit holder and provides copy of the purchase order and other documents for clearance of goods from the port and storage of the same in FTWZ. The FTWZ unit clears the goods from the port by filing Bill of Entry on behalf of the Applicant and stores the same in the warehouse. The FTWZ unit hands over the import invoice and other necessary documents to ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... created by Section 53(2) of SEZ Act and Rules mentioned above, thereby it can be construed that FTWZ is in parity with bonded warehouse under Customs Act, 1962. Therefore, that since FTWZ is equivalent to bonded warehouse, transfers within FTWZ before clearance shall fall under Schedule III of the CGST Act, 2017, thereby not attracting levy under GST. QUESTION 2 Whether the Circular No. 3/1/2018 - Integrated Tax (IGST) dated 25.05.2018 is applicable to the present factual situation? 3.4. The Circular clarifies the applicability of IGST on goods supplied while being deposited in customs bonded warehouse effective from 07.04.2018 and states that Integrated tax shall be levied and collected at the time of final clearance of the warehoused goods for home consumption i.e., at the time of filing the ex-bond bill of entry and the value addition accruing at each stage of supply shall form part of the value on which the integrated tax would be payable at the time of clearance of the warehoused goods for home consumption. This circular was made applicable for supply of warehoused goods, while being deposited in a customs bonded warehouse on or after 01.04.2018. 3.5. Further, in terms of ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ents of title to the goods, after the goods have been dispatched from the port of origin located outside India but before clearance of home consumption is neither a supply of goods nor a supply of service. According to Explanation II to Schedule III of CGST Act 2017, the expression "warehoused goods" in the schedule shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in the Customs Act 1962. According to Section 2 (43) of Customs Act 1962 "Warehouse" means a public ware house licensed under section 57 or a private ware house licensed under section 58 or a special warehouse licensed under section 58A) According to section 2 (44) "warehoused goods" means goods deposited in a warehouse; 4.1.2. Even though the day-to-day activities like warehousing and clearing of goods for home consumption on payment of applicable customs duties are supervised /monitored by Customs officials posted in the FTWZ in accordance with SEZ Act 2005, read with Customs Act, 1962, the approval/license/administrative control for FTWZ are fully governed under the provisions of SEZ Act 2005. Therefore, FTWZ is not a warehouse licensed under Customs Act 1962. 4.1.3. Hence the transactions narrated in the application ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... t factual situation? The above questions fall within the scope of Section 97(2) of the CGST Act, 2017, as stated supra and therefore the application is admissible. 7.4.1. The first question raised by the applicant necessitates to see the Schedule III of the CGST Act, 2017 r/w CGST Amendment Act, 2018, which is as follows: SCHEDULE III. [See section 7] ACTIVITIES OR TRANSACTIONS WHICH SHALL BE TREATED NEITHER AS A SUPPLY OF GOODS NOR A SUPPLY OF SERVICES 1. Services by an employee to the employer in the course of or in relation to his employment. 2. Services by any court or Tribunal established under any law for the time being in force. 3. (a) the functions performed by the Members of Parliament, Members of State Legislature, Members of Panchayats, Members of Municipalities and Members of other local authorities; (b) the duties performed by any person who holds any post in pursuance of the provisions of the Constitution in that capacity; or (c) the duties performed by any person as a Chairperson or a Member or a Director in a body established by the Central Government or a State Government or local authority and who is not deemed as an employee before the commencement ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... e prescribed, license a private warehouse wherein dutiable goods imported by or on behalf of the licensee may be deposited. 58A. Licensing of special warehouses.-(1) The Principal Commissioner of Customs or Commissioner of Customs may, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed, license a special warehouse wherein dutiable goods may be deposited and such warehouse shall be caused to be locked by the proper officer and no person shall enter the warehouse or remove any goods therefrom without the permission of the proper officer. 7.4.4. Whereas, Free Trade Warehousing Zone is a Special Economic Zone wherein mainly trading and warehousing and other activities related thereto are carried on. It is a deemed foreign territory within the geography of India for the purpose of tariff and trade. The Special Economic Zones Act, 2005 and the Special Economic Zones Rules, 2006 are the legal framework for FTWZ. Instructions are also issued by the Ministry of Commerce & Industries from time to time to clarify various operational aspects of FTWZ. Even though the day to day activities like warehousing and clearing of goods for home consumption on payment of applicable custom duties are supe ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X
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