Imported watch case component held outside the negative list, so no import licence was required.

An imported "bezel fitted with glass" was treated as a component of a watch case, not a complete watch case, because technical literature and the ordinary structure of a watch case showed that a complete case includes additional parts such as the back cover. As the import policy negative list covered watch cases but not parts or spares, and the public notice allowed import of accessories, components, parts and spares unless specifically restricted, the article did not attract a licensing requirement. The practice of customs houses allowing similar imports without licence was also noted as supporting the permissibility of the import.

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Issues: Whether "bezel fitted with glass" was a complete watch case falling within the negative list of the import policy and therefore required an import licence, or whether it was only a part of a watch case entitled to import without licence under the relevant public notice.

Analysis: The imported item was examined against technical literature and ordinary understanding of a watch case. The relevant ISI specification and watchmaking handbook showed bezel and crystal as separate components, while a complete watch case included additional parts such as the back cover. On that basis, the item imported without the back cover and other components could not be treated as a complete watch case. The negative list covered watch cases, not parts or spares of watch cases. Read with the public notice permitting import of accessories, components, parts and spares of consumer durables unless specifically included in the negative list, the import of the item did not attract the licensing restriction. The evidence also indicated that customs houses had allowed similar imports without licence, making the alleged contrary practice debatable.

Conclusion: "Bezel fitted with glass" was only a part of a watch case and not a complete watch case; it was not covered by the negative list and did not require an import licence.

Ratio Decidendi: Where the imported article is only a component of a listed restricted item and the policy permits parts and spares not specifically included in the negative list, import cannot be refused for want of a licence.

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