Valuation of Goods
Valuation of Goods
Valuation of Goods
3.1
As a first step, an assessee has to establish whether the goods manufactured by him are
excisable. After the excisability is decided, the goods have to be correctly classified. The
next step is to value the goods so as to compute the duty payable on the excisable goods.
The duty is payable on the basis of any of the following:
(a) Specific duty
(b) Duty based on value
(i) Duty based on the Tariff Value (Section 3(2) of the Central Excise Act, 1944)
(ii) Duty based on the value arrived at on the basis of valuation under section 4
(iii) Duty based on Maximum Retail Price [MRP] (Section 4A of the Central Excise
Act, 1944)
(c) Compounded Levy scheme (Rule 15 of the Central Excise Rules, 2002).
(d) Duty based on capacity of production (Section 3A of the Central Excise Act, 1944)
3.1.1
Specific duty: In the case of some goods, duty is payable on the basis of
certain unit, length, weight, volume, etc. For instance, duty payable on cigarettes is on the
basis of length. However, this method of levying duty demands frequent revisions in order
to increase revenue since while the prices may be increasing, the duty would remain the
same quantum when based on length. Since specific duties do not keep pace with
inflation, more and more tariff entries are designed based on advalorem duty structure.
Presently, specific rates have been specified for:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
3.2
Central Excise
3.3
prescribed duty has to be paid by the manufacturer for the specified period. The
advantage of this scheme is that it frees the manufacturer from observing day to day
central excise formalities and maintenance of detailed accounts after making the lump
sum periodic payment. Thus, small manufacturers generally benefit from this scheme.
The Central Government has been empowered vide sub-rule (2) of rule 15 to specify the
procedure for making an application for availing of the special procedure for payment of duty,
the abatement, if any, that may be allowed on account of closure of a factory during any
period, and any other matter incidental thereto.
The Central Government has notified stainless steel pattas/patties and aluminium circles for
the purpose of compounded levy scheme. These articles are not eligible for SSI exemption.
3.1.4
3A]
(1) The Central Government in order to safeguard the interest of the revenue may notify
goods on which excise duty shall be levied and collected in accordance with the
provisions of this section. The Government may notify the goods having regard to
the nature of the process of manufacture or production of excisable goods of any
specified description, the extent of evasion of duty in regard to such goods or such
other factors as may be relevant. Presently, the Central Government has notified
pan masala [falling under tariff item 2106 90 20 of the First Schedule to the Central
Excise Tariff Act, 1985 (except the pan masala containing not more than 15% betel
nut)] and pan masala containing tobacco, commonly known as gutkha (falling under
tariff item 2403 99 90 of the said Tariff Act) manufactured with the aid of packing
machine and packed in pouches, for the purpose of section 3A.
(2) Where the goods are so notified, the Central Government may, by rules,
(a) provide the manner for determination of the annual capacity of production of the
factory by an officer not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Central
Excise. Such annual capacity shall be deemed to be the annual production of
such goods by such factory; or
(b) (i)
specify the factor relevant to the production of such goods and the quantity
that is deemed to be produced by the use of a unit of such factor; and
(ii) provide for the determination of the annual capacity of production of the
factory in which such goods are produced on the basis of such factor by an
officer not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Central Excise and
such annual capacity of production shall be deemed to be the annual
production of such goods by such factory:
However, where a factory producing notified goods is in operation during a part
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
3.4
Central Excise
of the year only, the annual production thereof shall be calculated on
proportionate basis of the annual capacity of production:
Further, in a case where the factor relevant to the production is altered or
modified at any time during the year, the annual production shall be redetermined on a proportionate basis having regard to such alteration or
modification.
(3) The duty of excise on notified goods shall be levied, at such rate, on the unit of
production or, as the case may be, on such factor relevant to the production, as the
Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify, and
collected in such manner as may be prescribed:
However, where a factory producing notified goods did not produce the notified
goods during any continuous period of 15 days or more, the duty calculated on a
proportionate basis shall be abated in respect of such period if the manufacturer of
such goods fulfils such conditions as may be prescribed.
(4) The provisions of this section shall not apply to goods produced or manufactured, by
a 100% export oriented undertaking and brought to any other place in India.
It has been clarified that for the purposes of section 3 of the Customs Tariff Act,
1975, the duty of excise leviable on the notified goods shall be deemed to be the
duty of excise leviable on such goods under the First Schedule and the Second
Schedule to the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985, read with any notification for the time
being in force.
Also, the expression, hundred percent export-oriented undertaking shall have the
meaning assigned to it in section 3.
3.1.5
The scheme of ad valorem valuation in general can be summarised in the form
of the chart given on page 3.5.
3.2
With the intention of making the valuation mechanism simple, from 1 st July 2000 valuation
mechanism based on normal price was replaced by a user friendly and commercially
acceptable new mechanism based on transaction value. Valuation provisions are
contained in section 4.
Section 4 reads as under:
(1) Where under this Act, the duty of excise is chargeable on any excisable goods with
reference to their value, then, on each removal of the goods, such value shall
(a) in a case where the goods are sold by the assessee, for delivery at the time and
place of the removal, the assessee and the buyer of the goods are not related and
the price is the sole consideration for the sale, be the transaction value;
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
3.5
(b) in any other case, including the case where the goods are not sold, be the value
determined in such manner as may be prescribed.
Explanation For the removal of doubts, it is hereby declared that the price-cumduty of the excisable goods sold by the assessee shall be the price actually paid to
him for the goods sold and the money value of the additional consideration, if any,
flowing directly or indirectly from the buyer to the assessee in connection with the
sale of such goods, and such price-cum-duty, excluding sales tax and other taxes, if
any, actually paid, shall be deemed to include the duty payable on such goods.
Chart showing the scheme of ad valorem valuation under Central Excise
Valuation under
Central Excise
Yes
No
Yes
No
Valuation
Section 4
under
3.6
Central Excise
(ii) relative shall have the meaning assigned to it in clause (41) of section 2 of the
Companies Act, 1956;
(c) place of removal means
(i)
a factory or any other place or premises wherein the excisable goods have been
permitted to be deposited without payment of duty.
(ii) a warehouse or any other place or premises wherein the excisable goods have
been permitted to be deposited without payment of duty from where such goods
are removed.
(iii) a depot, premises of a consignment agent or any other place or premises from
where the excisable goods are to be sold after their clearance from the factory.
(cc) time of removal, in respect of the excisable goods removed from the place of
removal referred to in sub-clause (iii) of clause (c), shall be deemed to be the time at
which such goods are cleared from the factory.
(d) transaction value means the price actually paid or payable for the goods, when
sold, and includes in addition to the amount charged as price, any amount that the
buyer is liable to pay to, or on behalf of, the assessee, by reason of, or in connection
with the sale, whether payable at the time of the sale or at any other time, including,
but not limited to, any amount charged for, or to make provision for, advertising or
publicity, marketing and selling organization expenses, storage, outward handling,
servicing, warranty, commission or any other matter; but does not include the amount
of duty of excise, sales tax and other taxes, if any, actually paid or actually payable
on such goods.
Section 3(1) of the Act is the charging section, and the goods are chargeable with rate of
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
3.7
duty as specified in the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1975. The rates specified in this Tariff
for most of the goods are ad valorem and hence the valuation of the goods becomes most
important.
The scheme of valuation under section 4 can be put in the form of chart provided below.
Scheme of Valuation under section 4
Delivery at
the time of
removal
3.3
Delivery at
the place of
removal
Buyer being
not related
person
RELATED PERSONS
(b)
(c)
amongst them the buyer is a relative and distributor of the assessee or a sub-distributor
of such distributor; or
3.8
(d)
Central Excise
they are so associated that they have interest directly or indirectly in the business of
each other.
Inter-connected undertakings are defined to have the same meaning as in the MRTP Act
and relative to have the same meaning as the Companies Act, 1956.
3.3.1
"Inter-connected undertakings" means two or more undertakings which are
inter-connected with each other in any of the following manners, namely:(i)
(ii) where the undertakings are owned by firm, if such firms have one or more common
partners,
(iii) where the undertakings are owned by bodies corporate,(a) if one body corporate manages the other body corporate, or
(b) if one body corporate is a subsidiary of the other body corporate, or
(c) if the bodies corporate are under the same management, or
(d) if one body corporate exercises control over the other body corporate in any
other manner;
(iv) where one undertaking is owned by a body corporate and the other is owned by a
firm, if one or more partners of the firm,(a) hold, directly or indirectly, not less than fifty per cent of the shares, whether
preference or equity, of the body corporate, or
(b) exercise control, directly or indirectly, whether as director or otherwise, over the
body corporate.
(v) if one is owned by a body corporate and the other is owned by firm having bodies
corporate as its partners, if such bodies corporate are under the same management,
(vi) if the undertakings are owned or controlled by the same person or (by the same
group),
(vii) if one is connected with the other either directly or through any number of
undertakings which are inter-connected undertakings within the meaning of one or
more foregoing sub-clauses.
Explanation I - For the purpose of this Act, two bodies corporate shall be deemed to be
under the same management,(i) if one such body corporate exercises control over the other or both are under the
control of the same group or any of the constituents of the same group; or
3.9
(ii) if the managing director or manager of one such body corporate is the managing
director or manager of the other; or
(iii) if one such body corporate holds not less than one fourth of the equity shares in the
other or controls the composition of not less than one fourth of the total membership of
the Board of Directors of the other; or
(iv) if one or more directors of one such body corporate constitute, or at any time within a
period of six months immediately preceding the day when the question arises as to
whether such bodies corporate are under the same management, constituted (whether
independently or together with relatives of such directors or the employees of the first
mentioned body corporate) one-fourth of the directors of the other; or
(v) if the same individual or individuals belonging to a group, while holding (whether by
themselves or together with their relatives) not less than one-fourth of the equity shares in
one such body corporate also hold (whether by themselves or together with their relatives)
not less than one-fourth of the equity shares in the other; or
(vi) if the same body corporate or bodies corporate belonging to a group, holding, whether
independently or along with its or their subsidiary or subsidiaries, not less than one-fourth
of the equity shares in one body corporate, also hold not less than one-fourth of the equity
shares in the other; or
(vii) if not less than one-fourth of the total voting power in relation to each of the two
bodies corporate is exercised or controlled by the same individuals belonging to a group
or by the same bodies corporate belonging to a group, or jointly by such individual or
individuals and one or more of such bodies corporate; or
(ix) if the directors of one such body corporate are accustomed to act in accordance with
the directions or instructions of one or more of the directors of the other, or if the directors
of both the bodies corporate are accustomed to act in accordance with the directions or
instructions of an individual, whether belonging to a group or not.
Explanation II - If a group exercises control over a body corporate, that body corporate
and every other body corporate, which is a constituent of or controlled by, the group shall
be deemed to be under the same management.
Explanation III - If two or more bodies corporate under the same management hold, in the
aggregate, not less than one-fourth of equity share in any other body corporate, such
other body corporate shall be deemed to be under the same management as the first
mentioned bodies corporate.
Explanation IV - In determining whether or not two or more bodies corporate are under
the same management, the shares held by financial institutions in such bodies corporate
shall not be taken into account.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
3.11
The words relative & a distributor of the assessee do not refer to any distributor but the
distributor who is relative of the assessee within the meaning of the Companies Act, 1956
- UOI v. Bombay Tyre International Ltd. 1983 (14) E.L.T. 1986 (S.C.)
Price charged by the manufacturer to the distributor is to be assessable value, when the
dealings are on principal to principal basis - UOI v. Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. 1989 (43)
E.L.T. 611 (Bom.)
3.3.4
Mutuality of business interest : In U.O.I Vs. Atic Industries Ltd. 1984 (17)
E.L.T. 323, The Supreme Court has held that in order to attract the first part of the
definition, the assessee and the person alleged to be a related person must have interest,
direct or indirect, in the business of each other. Each of them must have direct or indirect
interest in the business of the other. The quality and degree of interest which each has in
the business of the other may be different, the interest of the one in the business of the
other may be direct, while interest of the latter in the business of the former may be
indirect. That would not make any difference so long as each has got some interest, direct
or indirect, in the business of the other .
In U.O.I Vs. Hind Lamp 1989 (43)ELT 161, the Supreme Court reiterated the principle that
it is not enough that the assessee has an interest, direct or indirect, in the business of the
assessee. Both must have an interest in the business of each other. The degree and
quality of their respective interests in each other may be different. In CCE Vs. Vikram
Engineering Co. 1989 (39) ELT 143, the Tribunal followed the decision in Atics case by
holding that the degree of mutual interest was not material in order to attract the definition
but the existence of some interest was all that was required.
Corporate concern and a partnership concern were not related persons, and where the
price charged from a person was the same as charged from others, then such a person
could not be construed as a favored buyer. Weikfield Products Co. Pvt. Ltd. Vs. CCE
1990 (29) ECR 321
Sales of the entire quantity of excisable products through a single agency, which also
undertook advertising of such products would not, per se make the manufacturer and the
agency as related persons since the mutuality of business interest was not proved Pepsi
Foods (P) Ltd. Vs. CCE 1993(44) ECR 599.
The mere fact of there being a common registered office and common usage of telephone
and gowdown was not sufficient to prove common ownership between two units so as to
make them related persons. See Cheryl Laboratories Vs. CCE 1994 (50) ECR 194.
Citation
3.13
3.4
v.
UOI
PLACE OF REMOVAL
3.15
(b) a warehouse or any other place or premises wherein the excisable goods have been
permitted to be deposited without payment of duty from where such goods are
removed.
(c) a depot, premises of a consignment agent or any other place or premises from where
the excisable goods are to be sold after their clearance from the factory.
3.5
The price should be the sole consideration for sale. Any other consideration in cash or
in kind which forms part of the transaction has to be converted in monetary terms and
added back to the price. Each such transaction has to be at arms length and on principal
to principal basis. If the transaction is not on principal to principal basis, the charges paid
are to be added to the transaction value of the goods.
When the sale is at arms length, sale price of subsequent seller is not relevant and does
not matter that dealings were confined only to two buyers - Atic Inds. Ltd. v. H.H. Dave,
Asst. Collector 1978 (2) E.L.T. (J444) (S.C)
Relationship between manufacturer & sole distributor though a special one is not a proof
by itself to show that price is favourable price - UOI v. Hind Lamps Ltd. 1981 (8) E.L.T.
11 (Del.)
Price declared by the assessee to be acceptable even though it is less than cost of raw
material, manufacturing cost & manufacturing profit; when the transactions are at arms
length - Guru Nanak Refrigeration Corpn v. CCE 1996 (81) E.L.T. 290 (T)
3.6
It would be important to see that the definition of transaction value is an all inclusive
definition which seems to extend its scope beyond the normal boundaries of central
excise levy.
While it is true that such a definition is necessary when we have a full fledged VAT
system, it is rather premature to include so many items within the parameters of excise,
more so when the assesses are paying sales tax and service tax.
It is important to note that the Supreme Court has held in the context of customs law in
Associated Cement Companies Ltd. v. CC 2000 (121) ELT 21 that the concept of
transaction value is quite different from the concept of price and such value can include
many items which may classically have been understood to be part of the sale price.
Let us analyse the definition of transaction value through the use of flow charts.
And includes
Transaction Value
means the price
actually paid or
payable when sold
The definition also gives an illustration of what amounts are included as additions to price
which the buyer may be liable to pay to or on behalf of the assessee. However, the
definition specifically states as including but not limited to which clearly means that the
items included in the definition are only illustrative and more may be includible.
The items which are included in the
definition
3.17
Includibility or otherwise
Yes
2. Warranty
Yes
Yes
Yes
5. Servicing
Yes
6. Commission
Yes
7. Discounts
9. Packing
No.
12. Accessories
13. Dharmada
However, the above is not conclusive in all cases and would be subject to interpretation of
the Courts in future time to come.
As given in the chart for the valuation scheme under section 4 there are four conditions
which have to be fulfilled.
(a) There should be sale of goods
(b) The goods sold should be for delivery at the time and place of removal
(c) The assessee and the buyer of the goods are not to be related persons
(d) The price should be the sole consideration for the sale.
In those cases where any of the above said requirements are missing, the assessable
value shall be determined on the basis of the Central Excise Valuation (Determination of
Price of Excisable Goods) Rules, 2000 notified under section 4(1)(b) by Notification No.
45/2000-CE (NT), dated 30.6.2000.
3.8 CENTRAL EXCISE VALUATION (DETERMINATION OF PRICE OF EXCISABLE
GOODS) RULES, 2000
These rules were notified vide Notification No. 45/2000-C.E. (N.T.) dated 30-6-2000.
They came into effect from 01.07.2000. The text of the rules is given for the reference.
RULE - 1. (1)
These rules may be called the
(Determination of Price of Excisable Goods) Rules, 2000.
Central
Excise
Valuation
(2) They shall come into force on and from the 1 st day of July, 2000.
CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY
RULE - 2. In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires,(a) "Act" means the Central Excise Act, 1944;
(b) "normal transaction" means the transaction value at which the greatest aggregate
quantity of goods are sold;
(c) "value" means the value referred to in Section 4 of the Act;
(d) words and expressions used in these rules and not defined but defined in the Act
shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them in the Act.
CHAPTER II
DETERMINATION OF VALUE
RULE - 3. The value of any excisable goods shall, for the purposes of clause (b) of subsection (1) of section 4 of the Act, be determined in accordance with these rules.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
3.19
RULE - 4. The value of the excisable goods shall be based on the value of such goods
sold by the assessee for delivery at any other time nearest to the time of the removal of
goods under assessment, subject, if necessary, to such adjustment on account of the
difference in the dates of delivery of such goods and of the excisable goods under
assessment, as may appear reasonable to the proper officer.
RULE - 5. Where any excisable goods are sold in the circumstances specified in clause
(a) of sub-section (1) of section 4 of the Act except the circumstance in which the
excisable goods are sold for delivery at a place other than the place of removal, then the
value of such excisable goods shall be deemed to be the transaction value, excluding the
cost of transportation from the place of removal up to the place of delivery of such
excisable goods.
Explanation 1 cost of transportation includes(i)
(ii) in case where freight is averaged the cost of transportation calculated in accordance
with generally accepted principles of costing.
Explanation 2- For removal of doubts, it is clarified that the cost of transportation from the
factory to the place of removal, where the factory is not the place of removal, shall not be
excluded for the purpose of determinig the value of excisable goods.
RULE - 6. Where the excisable goods are sold in the circumstances specified in clause
(a) of sub section (1) of section 4 of the Act except the circumstance where the price is
not the sole consideration for sale, the value of such goods shall be deemed to be the
aggregate of such transaction value and the amount of money value of any additional
consideration flowing directly or indirectly from the buyer to the assessee.
Explanation1 - For removal of doubts, it is hereby clarified that the value, apportioned as
appropriate, of the following goods and services, whether supplied directly or indirectly by
the buyer free of change or at reduced cost for use in connection with the production and
sale of such goods, to the extent that such value has not been included in the price
actually paid or payable, shall be treated to be the amount of money value of additional
consideration flowing directly or indirectly from the buyer to the assessee in relation to
sale of the goods being valued and aggregated accordingly, namely:(i)
value of materials, components, parts and similar items relatable to such goods;
(ii) value of tools, dies, moulds, drawings, blue prints, technical maps and charts and
similar items used in the production of such goods;
(iii) value of material consumed, including packaging materials, in the production of such
goods;
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3.21
Provided that in a case where the related person does not sell the goods but uses or
consumes such goods in the production or manufacture of articles, the value shall be
determined in the manner specified in rule 8.
RULE - 10. When the assessee so arranges that the excisable goods are not sold by him
except to or through an inter-connected undertaking, the value of goods shall be
determined in the following manner, namely:(a) If the undertakings are so connected that they are also related in terms of sub-clause
(ii) or (iii) or (iv) of clause (b) of sub-section (3) of section 4 of the Act or the buyer
is a holding company or subsidiary company of the assessee, then the value shall be
detemined in the manner prescribed in rule 9.
Explanation- In this clause "holding company" and "subsidiary company" shall have
the same meanings as in the Companies act, 1956 (1 of 1956);
(b) in any other case, the value shall be detemined as if they are not related persons for
the purpose of sub-section (1) of section 4.
Rule - 10A. Where the excisable goods are produced or manufactured by a job-worker, on
behalf of a person (hereinafter referred to as principal manufacturer), then,(i)
in a case where the goods are sold by the principal manufacturer for delivery at the
time of removal of goods from the factory of job-worker, where the principal
manufacturer and the buyer of the goods are not related and the price is the sole
consideration for the sale, the value of the excisable goods shall be the transaction
value of the said goods sold by the principal manufacturer;
(ii) in a case where the goods are not sold by the principal manufacturer at the time of
removal of goods from the factory of the job-worker, but are transferred to some
other place from where the said goods are to be sold after their clearance from the
factory of job-worker and where the principal manufacturer and buyer of the goods
are not related and the price is the sole consideration for the sale, the value of the
excisable goods shall be the normal transaction value of such goods sold from such
other place at or about the same time and, where such goods are not sold at or about
the same time, at the time nearest to the time of removal of said goods from the
factory of job-worker;
(iii) in a case not covered under clause (i) or (ii), the provisions of foregoing rules,
wherever applicable, shall mutatis mutandis apply for determination of the value of
the excisable goods:
Provided that the cost of transportation, if any, from the premises, wherefrom the goods
are sold, to the place of delivery shall not be included in the value of excisable goods.
Explanation. - For the purposes of this rule, job-worker means a person engaged in the
manufacture or production of goods on behalf of a principal manufacturer, from any inputs
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
The salient features of the Valuation Rules are as under:According to rule 3 the valuation rules is invokable only when the condition in section
4(1)(b) is satisfied that is to say when the valuation is not possible as per section 4(1)(a).
When the goods are clearly valued according to section 4(1)(a) itself then there is no
question of applying the valuation rules.
Rule 4 requires adjustment for the differences in the time of removal and the time of
delivery when the delivery time is different from the time of removal.
Rule 5 speaks of the conditions that all the condition as per section 4(1)(a) which are
mentioned earlier are fulfilled except for the condition that the place of delivery is different
from the place of removal. In such circumstances the rule allows the adjustment for the
transportation from the place of removal to the place of delivery. Old rule permitted
exclusion of only the actual cost of transportation from the place of removal upto the place
of the delivery. However, this exclusion was allowed only if the cost of transportation was
charged separately and such cost was shown separately in the invoice. The rule has
been amended to omit the specific requirement for showing the transportation cost
separately in the invoice. Moreover, the actual transportation cost may also now be
excluded on an averaged or equalized basis. For this purpose, the average transportation
cost shall be computed in accordance with the generally accepted principles of costing.
Where necessary, the assessee may be asked to furnish certification from a Cost
Accountant, inter alia, showing the computations separately in respect of the exempted,
non-excisable and specific rated products and the basis for apportionment for arriving at
the average cost of transportation.
However, no deduction shall be allowable whether on actual or equalized freight basis, for
the cost of transportation from the factory to the point of removal (if other than the factory
gate). Since as per the amended section 4, place of removal shall include a depot, the
premises of the consignment agent as well as any other place or premises from which the
goods are to be sold after their clearance from the factory, it may be noted that deduction
in respect of the transportation cost from the factory premises to the depot or to any other
place of removal shall not be allowed.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
3.23
Rule 6 takes up another condition and continues to say that other conditions as said
above are being fulfilled except for the condition of consideration to be received for such
goods. If the price received is not the sole consideration, then the rule requires to add the
value of the additional consideration whether directly or indirectly received (not
necessarily from the buyer, it may be received even from the third party but which should
have relation with the goods being transferred) to the transaction value.
In Explanation 1 to Rule 6 it is said that when any goods or services are given by the
buyer free of cost or at concessional price, the value of such goods or service or the
concession so received may be added or apportioned (in case such goods or service is
used for the manufacture of more than one product) and should be included in the value
of the finished goods. The examples given in the said explanation as to the goods and
services are :
(a) value of materials, components, parts and similar items relatable to such goods;
(b) value of tools, dies, moulds, drawings, blue prints, technical maps and charts and
similar items used in the production of such goods;
(c) value of material consumed, including packaging materials, in the production of such
goods;
(e) value or engineering, development, art work, design work and plans and sketches
undertaken elsewhere than in the factory of production and necessary for the
production of such goods
Rule 7 says that in cases where the goods are not sold at the factory gate or at the
warehouse but they are transferred by the assessee to his depots or consignment agents
or any other place for sale, the assessable value in such case for the goods cleared from
factory/warehouse shall be the normal transaction value of such goods at the depot, etc.
at or about the same time on which the goods as being valued are removed from the
factory or warehouse.
It may be pertinent to take note of the definition of "normal transaction value" as given in
the valuation rules. What it basically means is the transaction value at which the greatest
aggregate quantity of goods from the depots etc. are sold at or about the time of removal
of the goods being from the factory/warehouse. If, however, the identical goods are not
sold by the assessee from depot/consignment agents place on the date of removal from
the factory/warehouse, the nearest date on which such goods were sold or would be sold
shall be taken into account.
In either case if there are series of sales at or about the same time, the normal
transaction value for sale to independent buyers will have to be determined and taken as
basis for valuation of goods at the time of removal from factory/warehouse. It follows from
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
Prime Cost
+
Production Overheads
+
Administration Overheads
+
Research & Development
Expenses (Apportioned)
=
Cost of Production
Cost of Production
+
Selling Cost
+
Distribution Cost
=
COST OF SALES
Cost of Sales
+
Profit
=
Selling Price
3.25
Material Consumed shall include materials directly identified for production of goods
such as indigenous materials, imported materials, bought out items, self manufactured
items, process materials and other items
Cost of material consumed shall consist of cost of material, duties and taxes, freight
inwards, insurance, and other expenditure directly attributable to procurement. Trade
discount, rebates and other similar items will be deducted for determining the cost of
materials. Cenvat credit, credit for countervailing customs duty, Sales Tax set off, VAT,
duty draw back and other similar duties subsequently recovered/ recoverable by the
enterprise shall also be deducted.
Direct wages and salaries shall include house rent allowance, overtime and incentive
payments made to employees directly engaged in the manufacturing activities.
Direct wages and salaries include fringe benefits such as contribution to provident fund
and ESIS, bonus/ex-gratia payment to employees, provision for retirement benefits such
as gratuity and superannuation, medical benefits, subsidised food, leave with pay and
holiday payment, leave encashment and other allowances such as childrens education
allowance, conveyance allowance which are payable to employees in the normal course of
business etc.
Direct expenses are the expenses other than direct material cost and direct employees
costs which can be identified with the product.
Direct expenses include cost of utilities such as fuel, power, water, steam etc, royalty
based on production, technical assistance/know how fees, amortized cost of moulds,
patterns, patents etc, job charges, hire charges for tools and equipment, and charges for
a particular product designing etc.
Works overheads are the indirect costs incurred in the production process. Works
overheads include consumable stores and spares, depreciation of and machinery, factory
building etc, lease rent of production assets, repair and maintenance of plant and
machinery, factory building etc, indirect employees cost connected with production
activities, drawing and designing department cost., insurance of plant and machinery,
factory building, stock of raw material & WIP etc., amortized cost of jigs, fixtures, tooling
etc and service department cost such as tool room, engineering & maintenance, pollution
control etc.
Quality control cost is the expenses incurred relating to quality control activities for
adhering to quality standard. These expenses shall include salaries & wages relating to
employees engaged in quality control activity and other related expenses.
Research and development cost incurred for development and improvement of the
process or the existing product shall be included in the cost of production.
3.27
Q2
1.
Material Consumed
2.
3.
Direct Expenses
4.
Works Overheads
5.
6.
7.
8.
Total (1 to 7)
9.
10.
11.
Total (8+9-10)
Total
Cost
Cost/
unit
(Rs)
( Rs)
13.
Packing cost
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
produced
for
captive
The cost sheet should be prepared in the format as per Appendix 1 or as near thereto as
possible.
Statement of Cost of Production of _____________ manufactured / to be manufactured
during the period _____________
Rule 9 speaks of the situation where goods are sold only through related person (except
inter-connected undertakings which is dealt in Rule 10). In such cases the transaction
value is not applicable. Here, the value to be adopted will be the price at which such
related person sells to unrelated person. If such related person sells it to another related
person, then the price at which the second related person sells to unrelated person.
Further, it is said when such related person uses such goods in the manufacture of other
goods (captively consumed) then the valuation will be based on the principle of cost plus
10% as per Rule 8.
It is important to note that the definition of related persons includes "inter-connected
undertakings" as defined in the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1969.
The definition of inter-connected undertaking in the said Act is comprehensive and
includes two or more undertakings which are inter-connected with each other in any of the
ways such as if one owns or controls the other, or where the undertakings are owned by
firm, if such firms have one or more common partners, etc.
Rule 10 provides that even if the assessee and the buyer are inter-connected
undertakings, the transaction value will be "rejected" only when they are "related" in the
following manner:
(a) They are relatives.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
3.29
(b) The buyer is a relative and a distributor of the assessee, or sub-distributor of such
distributor.
(c) They have a direct or indirect interest in the business of each other.
In other cases, they will not be considered related. In other words the definition of the
inter-connected undertaking as per MRTP Act, 1969 is restricted only to Holding and
Subsidiary company and the other types of relationship mentioned in (a), (b) and c above.
"Transaction value" could then form the basis of valuation provided other two conditions,
namely, price is for delivery at the time and place of removal and the price is the sole
consideration for sale are satisfied. If any of the two aforesaid conditions are not satisfied
then, quite obviously, value in such cases will be determined under the relevant rule.
Rule 10A inserted, with effect from 01.04.2007, in the Central Excise Valuation
(Determination of Price of Excisable Goods) Rules, 2000 vide Notification No. 9/2007 CE
(NT) dated 01.03.2007 provides for valuation in case of job-work. The rule provides that
where goods are manufactured by a job-worker on behalf of a person (commonly known
as principal manufacturer), the value for payment of excise duty would be based on the
sale value at which the principal manufacturer sells the goods, as against the past
practice where the value was taken as cost of raw material plus the job charges.
Rule 11 is a residuary rule, which says when the value of any excisable goods cannot be
determined under any of the aforesaid rules, the value shall be determined using
reasonable means which are consistent with the principles and general provisions of
these rules and sub-section (1) of section 4 of the Act.
3.9.1
3.9.2
Clarifications: With reference to the Valuation Rules, the Central Board of
Excise and Customs has issued a Circular No.643/34/2002 Cx dated 1 st July 2002 wherein
the following clarifications are issued:
a. With reference to the term "greatest aggregate quantity" used to define the term
"normal transaction value" used in Rules 7 and 9 of the Central Excise Valuation
(Determination of Price of Excisable Goods) Rules, 2000, the Board clarifies that the time
period should be taken as the whole day and the transaction value of the "greatest
aggregate quantity" would refer to the price at which the largest quantity of identical
goods are sold on a particular day, irrespective of the number of buyers. In case the
"normal transaction value" from the depot or other place is not ascertainable on the day
identical goods are being removed from the factory/warehouse, the nearest day when
clearances of the goods were affected from the depot or other place should be taken into
consideration
b. In cases where the vehicle is owned by the manufacturer, the cost of transportation
can be calculated through costing method following the accepted principles of costing. A
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
3.31
assessee in the first place. In respect of capital goods adequate depreciation may be
given as per the rates fixed in letter F.No.495/16/93 Cus VI dated 26.5.93, issued on the
Customs side.
Valuation of samples: Circular No. 813/10/2005-CX dated 25.04.2005 has laid down
that value of samples distributed free as part of marketing strategy or as gifts or donations
shall be determined under Rule 4 of Central Excise Valuation (Determination of Price of
Excisable Goods) Rules, 2000.
3.10 VALUATION UNDER DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES
3.10.1 Assessable value where the raw material is provided by the customer: The
value of the raw material supplied by the customer would form a part of the assessable
value. The fact that the manufacturer does not pay for the raw material is immaterial. The
matter stands concluded by the judgement of the Supreme Court in the case of Burn
Standard Co. Ltd. Vs. UOI (1991) 36 ECC-1(SC). In this case the assessee
manufactured wagons for Railways. The latter supplied wheel sets and certain other items
free of cost. The price charged for the vehicle did not include the value of the items
supplied free of cost. The Supreme Court held that free supply items like wheel sets etc.
form part of the complete wagon and would lose their identity. It hardly matters as to how
and in what manner the components of wagons were procured by the manufacturer. The
assessee would be liable to pay duty on the normal price of the wagon. The present
Valuation Rules follow this.
3.10.2 Effect of price escalation subsequent to the removal of goods, on the
assessable value: The excess amount realised under an escalation clause would form
part of the assessable value and thus attract central excise duty.
If the goods are removed on payment of duty, based on declared price, subsequent
reduction of price for whatever reason, including Government interference, would not
create a claim for refund of central excise duty paid on the quantum of price reduced.
Yes
Rule 4
Rule 8
Value to be the
value
at
which
greatest aggregate
quantity sold at that
depot at the time of
removal from the
factory.
In case of captive
consumption
110% of cost of
production
3.33
3.10.3 In cases where interest is made payable after the general credit period is
over, such interest will not form part of the assessable value:
Illustration: Assessee charges Rs.100/- per unit for his goods, if the payment is made
within 45 days. Rs.100/- per unit will of course include the interest component pertaining
to the general credit period of 45 days. Even if the payment is made at the time of delivery
Rs.100/- would be the assessable value, irrespective of the possible inclusion of interest
element in the price. If the assessee charges Rs.102/- per unit after 45 days and Rs.2/per unit is identifiable as being relatable to time lag in payment, this amount of Rs.2/- per
unit will not form a part of the value. This is based on the decision of the Supreme Court
in GOI vs MRF Ltd. 1995 (77) ELT 449.
3.10.4 Role of notional interest on the advances/deposits taken by the
manufacturer from the buyer in influencing the assessable value: Interest on
advance deposits is includible in the assessable value only if there is a nexus between the
advance deposit and the sale price. The ratio decided in the Metal Box case 1995 (75)
ELT 449(SC) requires, before adding notional interest, establishment of the facts that the
interest free advance reflected favoured or special treatment and that advances had the
effect of pegging down the wholesale price. If the assessee charges the same price from
those who give advances and those who do not, the question of including notional interest
on advances does not arise VST Industries Ltd vs CCE 1998 (97) ELT 395 (SC).
3.10.5 Value of trade mark and assessable value: Where a manufacturer is the
owner of the brand name, the price including the value of the brand name, at which he
sells the goods in the course of wholesale trade, would constitute the normal price. But
where the goods are manufactured by somebody else and then sold to a dealer who owns
the brand name, the value of the brand name cannot be added for computing the
assessable value for the brand name owner cannot be treated as manufacturer and the
price at which the brand name owner sells the goods cannot be taken as assessable
value.
3.10.6 Consultancy /technical services and assessable value: The costs towards
drawing, designing and technical specifications are clearly elements of machinery costs
and are to be included in the assessable value. However, the cost towards project report,
plant layout, civil works and training are in the nature of services and are not includible in
the assessable value.
3.10.7 Inspection charges and testing charges, whether includible in the
assessable value: Where the manufacturer bears the cost towards inspection and testing
of goods prior to their removal, such costs are included in the assessable value. The
inspection and testing charges incurred subsequent to the clearance of the goods are also
to be included in the assessable value if they form part of agreement for sale of goods.
The new definition of transaction value would rope in such amounts also.
3.35
includes all taxes, local or otherwise, freight, transport charges, commission payable
to dealers, and all charges towards advertisement, delivery, packing, forwarding and
the like, as the case may be, and the price is the sole consideration for such sale.
However, if the provisions of the Act, rules or other law referred to in (a) above
requires the retail sale price to exclude any taxes, local or otherwise, the retail sale
price shall be construed accordingly [explanation 1].
(e) It is also stated that where there is more than one retail sale price the maximum of
such retail sale price will be deemed to be the retail sale price for the purpose of this
section [explanation 2(a)].
(f)
The excisable goods shall be confiscated and the retail sale price will be ascertained
in the manner prescribed by the Central Government if the manufacturer does any of
the following acts:
(i)
removes excisable goods from the place of manufacture, without declaring the
retail sale price of such goods on the packages, or
(ii) declares a retail sale price which is not the retail sale price as required to be
declared under the provisions of the Act, rules or other law referred to in (a)
above or
(iii) tampers with, obliterates or alters the retail sale price declared on the package
of such goods after their removal from the place of manufacture [sub-section 4].
(g) Where different retail sale prices are declared on different packages for the sale of
any excisable goods in packaged form in different areas, each such retail price shall
be the retail sale price for the purposes of valuation of the excisable goods intended
to be sold in the area to which the retail sale price relates [explanation 2(c)].
(h) If the retail sale price declared on the package of any excisable goods at the time of
its clearance from the place of manufacture, is altered to increase the retail sale
price, such altered retail sale price shall be deemed to be the retail sale price
[explanation 2(b)].
3.11.1 Duty based on MRP not a sales tax: The basis of this type of valuation is
based on the decision of the Supreme Court in the case of UOI Vs. Bombay Tyres
International 1986 (14) ELT 1896, which lays down the principle that although the taxable
event for the charge of the duty of excise is manufacture of goods, nevertheless the basis
for the levy need not necessarily be restricted to the so called manufacturing costs/profits.
In other words, the excise duty on goods would not be transformed into a sales tax merely
because the value for the purpose of the levy would be based on the MRP.
3.11.2 Statutory requirement of declaring retail sale price on the package of
notified excisable goods is a pre-requisite for applying section 4A: For the purpose
of valuation under section 4A, care should be taken to see that unless the products are
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
3.37
Rule 6 further provides that if the retail sale price of any excisable goods cannot be
ascertained under these rules, the retail sale price shall be ascertained in accordance
with the principles and the provisions of section 4A of the Act and the rules aforesaid.
Self-examination questions
1.
2.
How are goods valued when they are sold partly to a related person and partly to an
unrelated person?
3.
On 25.02.2009 goods were removed from the factory at Chandigarh for sale from the
depot at Mumbai. On that date the normal transaction value of the goods at
Chandigarh factory was Rs.10,000 and tariff rate was 8%. These goods were sold ex
Mumbai depot on 3.3.2009. On that date the normal transaction value at Mumbai
depot was 11,000 and tariff rate was 14%. The normal transaction value at Mumbai
depot on 25.02.2009 was Rs.9,000 and tariff rate was 8%. The manufacturer has
paid duty @ 8% on Rs.10,000, but the department claims duty @ 14% on Rs.11,000.
Discuss the correct approach to be adopted in the case.
4.
ABC Ltd. of Kanpur agreed to sell an electric motor to DEF Ltd. of New Delhi for
Rs.15000.00 on ex-factory basis. Other particulars are:
(i)
Transportation and transit insurance were arranged by ABC Ltd. at the request
of DEF Ltd. for Rs.1250.00 and Rs.1500.00 respectively which were charged
separately. Actual transportation charges amounted to Rs.1000.00 only.
(ii) A discount of Rs.1000 was given to DEF Ltd. on the agreed price on payment of
an advance of Rs.3500.00 with the order. (Ignore notional interest on advance)
(iii) Interest of Rs.800.00 was charged from DEF Ltd. as it failed to make the
payment within 30 days.
(iv) Packing charges of the motor amounted to Rs.1300.00.
(v) The expenditure incurred by ABC Ltd. towards free after sale service during
warranty period comes out to be Rs.500 per motor.
(vi) Dharmada charges of Rs.200 were recovered from DEF Ltd.
(vii) ABC Ltd. sold a lubricant worth Rs.250.00 along with the motor to the interested
customers. Lubricant which was purchased from the market by ABC Ltd. at
Rs.200 ensured durability and high efficiency of the motor. DEF Ltd. opted for
the said lubricant.
Compute the assessable value.
Pristine Industries has got a contract from Cantburry Automobiles for supply of a
machine used for welding the steel sheets. The various details are:
Particulars
Price of machine (net of taxes and duties)
Rs.
5,45,000.00
35,000.00
20,000.00
60,000.00
2%
14%
15,000
10,000
3,500.00
Cantburry Automobiles made all the payment before delivery. You are required to
compute the assessable value and the duty payable on the machine for Pristine
Industries.
6.
M/s. Well Welders manufactures welding electrodes that are put first in polythene
bags and then packed together in cardboard cartons. They sell electrodes at the
factory gate packed in cardboard cartons where such electrodes are also packed in
wooden boxes when sold to outstation customers. Is the Department justified to
include the cost of wooden boxes in the assessable value of the welding electrodes?
Discuss with the help of case laws, if any.
7.
M/s. Cool Air manufactures complete ceiling fans excluding regulators that are
purchased from other manufacturers. The contention of M/s. Cool Air is that since
the regulators are not manufactured by them but, instead are purchased from
outside, the value of the same should not form part of the assessable value of fans.
Do you agree to the stand taken by M/s. Cool Air? Give reasons in support of your
answer.
8.
Alpha Industries Ltd. manufactures shoes on the basis of bulk orders received from
various Government Departments. Footwear is covered under the Third Schedule to
the Central Excise Act, 1944. Alpha Industries Ltd. does not make any retail sale to
individual buyers, nor does it affix any MRP on shoe packages sold by it. Even the
3.39
necessary declarations required under statues are not filed by it. How should the
goods be valued?
9.
The value of the operational software should not be included in the value of the
computer. Discuss the correctness of the statement with reference to the provisions
of the Central Excise Act, 1944.
10. M/s. Della Traders is in the practice of charging each of its customers compulsorily, a
certain amount as labour charges for repair of the finished products during warranty
period. This repair is done by the dealers. The Central Excise Officer added the
value of such charges in the assessable value of the finished products for the
purpose of computation of duty, on the ground that such repair charges are in the
nature of after sale service done by M/s. Della Traders to promote marketability.
However, the contention of M/s. Della Traders is that such charges are recovered as
service charges for repairs, a service being provided by the dealers. Do you agree to
the stand taken by the Central Excise Officer? Give reasons.
11. Infotech systems manufactured mini computer processing systems with floppy drive,
keyboard, and CPU. In around 30% of cases, Infotech Systems bought duty paid
monitors and printers from the market and supplied to customers on their request. A
classification list which did not include monitors and printers was filed by Infotech
systems and was approved.
Chapter Note 5 to Chapter 84 specifies that a monitor or printer has to be classified
along with the computer. Therefore, by virtue of this Chapter Note the Central Excise
Officer took a view that the value of monitors and printers should be included in the
value of the computers.
Give your opinion on the issue with the help of decided case laws, if any.
12. Beta Ltd. has sold refractories to Omega Steel Plant under a contract at a particular
price. For the supply of refractories, Beta Ltd. has availed the duty exemption
scheme contained in the Export and Import Policy. In order to enable Beta Ltd. to
avail the duty exemption scheme, Omega Steel Plant has surrendered the advance
licences held by them for import of refractories.
Against such surrender, advance intermediate licences for import of inputs have
been issued to Beta Ltd. Consequently, Beta Ltd. has imported the inputs without
payment of customs duty as well as got them at a lower price than what they would
have paid had they purchased the same in India. The excise department has claimed
that the benefit derived by Beta Ltd. under the advance intermediate licence, issued
to them as a result of surrender of licence by Omega Steel Plant, is additional
consideration towards the value of the refractories and that this additional
consideration forms part of the price of the refractories for purposes of excise duty.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
3.
According to Rule 7 of the Central Excise Valuation Rules, 2000, in cases where the
goods are not sold at the factory gate or at the warehouse but they are transferred by
the assessee to his depots or consignment agents or any other place for sale, the
assessable value for the goods cleared from factory/warehouse shall be the normal
transaction value of such goods at the depot, etc. at or about the same time on which
the goods as being valued are removed from the factory or warehouse.
In the given case, Rs.10,000 represents value on 25.02.2009 (time of removal) but it
is not the value prevalent on the depot. Similarly, Rs.11,000 represents depot price,
but then it is not the price prevalent on 25.02.2009 (time of removal).
The correct value to be adopted in this case is the depot price of such goods (normal
transaction value) on 25.02.2009 i.e., Rs.9,000 and the correct rate will be 8%.
4.
(i)
Transportation charges will not be included in the assessable value as the sale
is at the factory gate and the seller has merely arranged for the delivery. The
payment made by the buyer in this case is not in connection with the sale but in
connection with the transportation as the sale is over at the factory gate itself.
Transit insurance will also not be included in the assessable value as delivery of
goods to transporter is prima facie delivery of goods to buyer hence sale gets
over at the factory gate itself. [Escorts JCB Ltd. v. CCE 2002 146 ELT 31 (SC)].
Profit of Rs.250 earned on transportation charges will not be included in the
assessable value [Baroda Electric Meters Ltd. v. CCE 1997 (94) ELT 13 (SC)].
(ii) Discount of Rs.1000 is given on Rs.15000 (agreed price) i.e., the discounted
price is Rs.14000 however, as in this case price is not the sole consideration,
the extra discount of Rs.1000.00 will be included in the assessable value.
(iii) Interest of Rs.800 will not be included in the assessable value as the payment
of such interest is not in connection with the sale but in connection with the
payment of the consideration for sale. CBEC Circular No. 643/34/2002-CX dated
1.7.2002 has confirmed that delayed payment charges will not be includible in
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
3.41
Rs.
5,45,000.00
-
Packing
20,000.00
60,000.00
Total
Less : Cash discount (See Note 4)
Assessable Value
Excise duty @ 14%
Education cess @ 2%
Secondary and higher education cess @ 1%
Total duty payable
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
6,25,000.00
15,000.00
6,10,000.00
85,400.00
1,708.00
854.00
87,962.00
Yes, department is justified to include the cost of wooden boxes in assessable value
of welding electrodes because from the given facts it is clear that the cost of wooden
boxes has been incurred by the reason of or in connection with the sale made to
outstation customers.
As per Section 4(3)(d) of Central Excise Act, transaction value is the price actually
paid, or payable, for the goods when sold and includes any amount that the buyer is
liable to pay to, or on behalf of, the assessee, by reason of, or in connection with the
sale.
Further, Board has clarified by its Circular No.354/81/2000 CE dated 30.06.2000 any
charges recovered for packing are charges recovered in relation to the sale of the
goods under assessment and will form part of transaction value of the goods.
Hence, charges for the wooden packing that are being recovered by M/s. Well
Welders are the charges in relation to sale and will form part of assessable value
irrespective of the fact whether packing is special or secondary.
7.
Value of essential bought out items, supplied with the main article at the time of
removal should be included in the assessable value as goods should be assessed in
the stage in which they are removed. Further, the payment for such items is in
connection with the sale and the main article cannot work without the bought out part.
This view was followed by the Supreme Court in the case of Khaitan Electricals Ltd.
vs. CCE, New Delhi 2004 (92) ECC 633 (SC). The Court held that value of
regulators of fans is includible in the assessable value of fans because these are
parts of fans.
8.
A similar issue came up for consideration before the Tribunal in the case of
Commissioner of C. EX. & Cus., BBSR II v. Mehar Shoes Industries 2004 (172)
E.L.T. 409 (Tri. Kolkata). The question, which arose before the Tribunal, was that
whether the goods had to be valued as per the provisions of section 4 or as per the
provisions of section 4A. The Tribunal followed the Circular No. 625/16/2002 C.X.,
dated 28.02.2002 that read:
3.43
Section 4A of the Central Excise Act, 1944 is applicable in respect of those cases
only where the manufacturer is legally obliged to print the MRP on the packages of
the goods, under the provisions of the Standards of Weights and Measures Act, 1976
or the rules made there under or any other law for the time being in force.
The basic issue, therefore, is to determine the circumstances in which section 4A of
the Central Excise Act can be applied. The wording of section 4A (1) makes it very
clear that it will apply only to such goods " in relation to which it is required,
under the provisions of the Standards of Weights and Measures Act, 1976, or the
rules made there under or under any other law for the time being in force, to declare
on the package thereof the retail sale price of such goods.". In other words, if
there is no statutory requirement under the provisions of Weights and Measures Act
to declare the retail sale price on the packages, section 4A will not apply. Chapter V
of the Weights & Measures (Packaged Commodity) Rules, 1977 mentions the
instances where MRP is not required to be printed on the packages. Thus, in these
cases valuation will have to be done under section 4 of the Central Excise Act, 1944.
It is, therefore, clarified that, in respect of all goods (whether notified u/s.4A or not) in
which there is no statutory requirement to print/declare the retail sale price on the
packages under the provisions of the Standards of Weight & Measures Act, 1976, or
the rules made there under or any other law for the time being in force, valuation will
be done u/s.4 of the Central Excsie Act, 1944 (or under section 3(2) of the Central
Excise Act, 1944, if tariff values have been fixed for the commodity). Thus, there
could be instances where the same notified commodity would be partly assessed on
the basis of MRP u/s.4A and partly on the basis of normal price (prior to 1.7.2000) or
transaction value (from 1.7.2000), u/s.4 of the C.E. Act, 1944.
It may be kept in mind that if an assessee does not declare or print the retail sale
price in respect of a notified commodity, which it is statutorily required to do under
the provisions of the Weights & Measures Act, or any other law for the time being in
force, the goods, on removal, will be liable to confiscation u/s. 4A(4) of the Central
Excise Act, 1944.
In the situation referred to in the question there is no legal obligation on the
manufacturer to print the MRP on the shoe packages as the shoes are not sold in
retail. Therefore, the basic condition for the shoes to be valued as per provisions of
section 4A is absent i.e, the MRP is not affixed on the goods. Thus, abovementioned
Circular should be followed in this case also and the valuation of the goods sold in
bulk should be done as per section 4 and not as per section 4A.
9.
The issue was discussed in detail by the Supreme Court in the case of CCE,
Pondicherry v. Acer India Ltd. 2004 (172) E.L.T. 289 (S.C.) wherein it was held by
the Apex Court that the value of the operational software loaded on the computer is
not includible in the assessable value of the computers.
3.45
definition of 'transaction value' can neither override the charging provision nor by
reason thereof 'goods' which is not excisable will become excisable only because
one is fitted into the other. While computing costs of manufacturing, expenses that
add to the value of the excisable goods are to be considered and not the value of
non-excisable goods.
10. The facts of the case are similar to the case of Collector of Central Excise,
Chandigarh v. Eicher Tractors Ltd. 2004 (164) E.L.T. 129 (S.C.). On this issue, the
Supreme Court observed that service is distinct and separate from repairs. Dealers
providing service have nothing to do with repairs during warranty period. If there is
a provision for free repair during warranty period then that is something which is
being provided by manufacturers. Such service may be provided through dealers for
benefit of the customer to whom an additional value is provided. Hence, it was held
by the Apex Court that cost of labour charges recovered from the buyers for free
repair provided by dealers during warranty period should be included in the
assessable value.
Applying the ratio of the abovementioned decision in the given case, it can be said
that the contention of M/s. Della Traders of service being provided by dealer is
erroneous. Therefore, the stand taken by the Central Excise Officer is correct in law.
11. This issue was taken up by the Supreme Court in the case of CCEx., Mumbai v.
C.M.S. Computers P. Ltd. 2005 (182) E.L.T. 20 (S.C). The facts of the given situation
are similar to that of the above-mentioned case.
In this case, the Apex Court opined that a monitor or a printer is not an essential part
of the computer. It is a peripheral item which may be required along with a computer.
Merely because a Tariff Entry may also include a monitor or printer, it would not lead
to the conclusion that a monitor or printer is an essential part of a computer. All that
the Chapter Note indicates is that not only the computer but a monitor and a printer
are also excisable products. However, the monitor and/or printer would be excisable
only in the hands of their manufacturer. The assessee did not manufacture the
monitor or the printer. The Supreme Court observed that in approximately 70% of the
cases monitors and printers were not supplied along with the computer sold by the
assessee. Thus, it could be concluded that the assessee did not sell their computer
as a unit including a monitor and a printer. Therefore, Apex Court held that as
monitor and printer were not essential parts of the computer their value could not be
included in the value of computer. However, it was clarified by the Supreme Court
that the situation may be different where a manufacturer sells a computer with a
monitor and a printer as a unit.
Therefore, in view of the above-mentioned case law the stand taken by the Central
Excise Officer is not correct.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India