2024 (3) TMI 625 - AAAR - GST

AAAR splits on JAC OLIVOL BODY OIL classification: medicament HSN 3004 versus cosmetic HSN 3304 under Section 101(3)

The AAAR considered classification of JAC OLIVOL BODY OIL under HSN 3004 (medicament) or HSN 3304 (cosmetic) for GST purposes. One member held the product ... Classification of JAC OLIVOL BODY OIL - classifiable under HSN 3004 as a medicament Or under HSN 3304 (cosmetic) - GST at the rate of 12% (6% CGST & 6% WBGST) - twin tests of classification - ''the Common Parlance test and the Ingredients test-to-determine whether a product qualifies as a medicament under Chapter 30'' - Difference Of opinion between members - HELD THAT:- In this particular instance, the appellant accompanied their additional written submission with a certificate from the Directorate of ISM Drugs Control, Government of West Bengal, which granted approval for the drug formulation of 'JAC OLIVOL' Herbal Body Oil. The certificate detailed the constituents of the product, including their respective quantities and names, and included Haridra, Manjistha, Arjuna, Daruharidra, Karpoor, Nimba Oil, Badam Oil, and Oilve Oil, among others. The assertion that all of these constituents possess medicinal properties has not been contested by WBAAR. Therefore, it appears that the instant product satisfies the second criterion of the twin test that is 'the Ingredients test'. The judgment in the case of The Commissioner Commercial Tax Uttarakhand Vs Perfetti Van Melle India Pvt Ltd [2008 (7) TMI 870 - UTTARAKHAND HIGH COURT] holding that only for the reasons these items (Chlormint, Happydent) are also purchased by some customers for taste also, does not make them confectionary items particularly when the same are manufactured under a valid drug licence. Based on this decision, it can be deduced that the perceived utility of a product does not necessarily serve as a determining factor in its classification. WBAAR's classification of the product, which was predicated primarily on the Common Parlance test and neglected a number of previously discussed factors and cited decisions of the Honourable Courts, is therefore rejected. Thus, it is held that the product JAC OLIVOL BODY OIL intended to be manufactured & sold by the applicant would be covered under Heading 3004 of THE FIRST SCHEDULE TO THE CUSTOMS TARIFF ACT and would be taxed accordingly under the GST Act. As per Mr. Devi Prasad Karanam, Member - Whether the instant product is to be classified as a cosmetic or a medicine mainly rests on the twin tests - HELD THAT:- Appellant has stated that the instant product can be used for treating minor burns and prevents blisters. Now, in light of 'common parlance', if we ask - what will be the requirement of someone in case of treating a minor burn - an anti-burn ointment or the instant product, the answer would tend to the former option. Now, the issue of therapeutic i.e. relating to the healing of disease or prophylactic i.e. intended to prevent disease of the product comes in question. Also, a valid question comes regarding the issue of cure vs. care. As submitted by the appellant, Jac Olivol Body Oil has certain skin care properties. It can be used in winter for curing dry skin and also has its use for curing body ache. Now, dry skin can occur normally due to loss of skin moisture in winter season or misuse of external agents like soap. At the same time it can occur due to skin diseases like atopic dermatitis (eczema) or psoriasis. Now, as we all know any body-oil like mustard oil, coconut oil or olive oil has a natural property to retain skin moisture resulting in minimization of dry skin. But that does not necessary imply that mustard oil, coconut oil or olive oil can cure skin diseases like eczema or psoriasis. In the same way, as claimed by the appellant, the product Jac Olivol Body Oil can be used to relieve body ache, joint & knee pains. It is a well-accepted fact that a body massage using any body-oil like mustard oil, coconut oil or olive oil can give relief to body spasm and ache. But at the same time, pain and ache arising out of arthritis, tendinitis, gout, spondylitis etc demand specified medical treatment with medicines. Thus, there is a wide gap between the word 'cure' and 'care' so far as the instant product is concerned. Thus, it can be opined that the product Jac Olivol Body Oil intended to be manufactured & sold by the applicant shall not be covered under Heading 3004 of the First Schedule to the Customs Tariff Act as appealed for. Instead, it would get covered under Heading 3304 of the First Schedule to the Customs Tariff Act and would be taxed accordingly under the GST Act. The WBAAR Ruling is confirmed and the Appeal stands rejected. As the members of the West Bengal Appellate Authority for Advance Ruling differ on the classification of the instant product i.e. 'JAC OILVOL BODY OIL', it is deemed that no Advance Ruling can be issued in respect of the questions under appeal as per the provisions of Section 101 sub-section (3) of the GST Act. Thus the Advance Ruling No. 19/WBAAR/2023-24 dated 10.08.2023 is deemed to be not in operation. Issues Involved:1. Classification of JAC OLIVOL BODY OIL under GST Tariff.2. Applicability of HSN 3004 (medicament) vs. HSN 3304 (cosmetic).Summary:Issue 1: Classification of JAC OLIVOL BODY OIL under GST TariffThe appellant sought an advance ruling on the classification of JAC OLIVOL BODY OIL, arguing it should be classified under HSN 3004 as a medicament attracting 12% GST. The WBAAR ruled that the product falls under Heading 3304, classifying it as a cosmetic, which was contested by the appellant.Issue 2: Applicability of HSN 3004 (medicament) vs. HSN 3304 (cosmetic)The WBAAR observed that for a product to be classified as a medicament, it must have therapeutic or prophylactic uses and be manufactured primarily to control or cure a disease. They applied the common parlance test and referred to various judicial precedents, concluding that the product is commonly understood as a cosmetic rather than a medicament.Appellant's Arguments:1. The product has been marketed as an Ayurvedic proprietary medicine for over two decades.2. It is used for curing skin ailments and reducing muscle and joint pains.3. Ingredients are listed in authoritative Ayurvedic texts and approved by the Drug Controller.4. The product has therapeutic properties and should be classified under HSN 3004.5. The appellant cited several judgments supporting the classification of products with curative properties as medicaments.WBAAR's Reliance on Judicial Precedents:1. The common parlance test and the perception of the product by consumers are crucial in determining classification.2. The mere fact that a product has some curative effect or is manufactured under a drug license is not enough to classify it as a medicament.3. The product's primary function should be care rather than cure to be classified as a cosmetic.Appellate Authority's Findings:1. The product's ingredients are listed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, indicating its medicinal properties.2. The common parlance test is not the sole criterion for classification; the product's therapeutic properties and the ingredients used are also significant.3. The product satisfies the 'Ingredients test' for classification as a medicament.4. The judgment in the case of Commr. Of Central Excise, Delhi vs M/S. Ishaan Research Lab. (P) Ltd. & Ors highlighted that the common parlance test is not the exclusive criterion for classifying a product.Separate Judgments:- Mr. Navneet Goel held that the product should be classified under HSN 3004 as a medicament.- Mr. Devi Prasad Karanam held that the product should be classified under HSN 3304 as a cosmetic, emphasizing the common parlance test and the product's use for care rather than cure.Conclusion:As the members of the Appellate Authority differed on the classification, it was deemed that no Advance Ruling could be issued. Thus, the Advance Ruling No. 19/WBAAR/2023-24 dated 10.08.2023 is deemed to be not in operation.