2000 (8) TMI 151 - AT - Customs

Tribunal grants relief in Men's Trousers valuation dispute, citing lack of evidence on deliberate over-invoicing

The Tribunal granted consequential relief in a case involving a dispute over the valuation of Men's Exclusive Woven Trousers. Despite allegations of ... Valuation (Customs) - Evidence - Import-Export Issues:1. Valuation dispute regarding Men's Exclusive Woven Trousers2. Allegation of over-invoicing by Customs3. Commissioner's findings on poor fabric quality and poor stitching4. Confiscation of goods, redemption on payment of fine, and penalty imposition5. Possibility of over-invoicing in export consignments6. Government schemes permitting over-invoicing to a certain extent7. Margin of profit alleged in Departmental enquiries8. Lack of expert opinion in valuation of trousers9. Reasonableness of price variation in export and import goods10. Refusal of exporter to admit over-invoicingAnalysis:1. The case involved a dispute over the valuation of Men's Exclusive Woven Trousers, where the declared value per piece for drawback claim was Rs. 168.89, leading to a Customs investigation due to suspicion of over-valuation.2. The Customs alleged over-invoicing based on their findings that similar garments were available for Rs. 100, despite the exporter's costing statement of material and labor at Rs. 108.50, which included interest and risk factors but not profit. The exporter denied over-invoicing, stating that negotiated prices matched the documents.3. The Commissioner found poor fabric quality and stitching upon examination of the goods, a point not raised during the exporter's interrogation. This led to the confiscation of goods, redemption on fine payment, and imposition of penalties, prompting the appeal.4. The Tribunal considered the possibility of over-invoicing in export consignments and highlighted government schemes allowing a certain extent of over-invoicing for export incentives. Instances of abuse in schemes were noted, emphasizing the need for scrutiny.5. The margin of profit alleged in Departmental enquiries was 35%, with the exporter consistently maintaining a material cost of around Rs. 108. The Tribunal questioned the expertise of Customs in valuing trousers and noted differences between the exporter's products and the sample shown.6. Emphasizing reasonable price variations in export and import goods, the Tribunal cautioned against presuming under or over-invoicing without substantial evidence. The exporter's refusal to admit over-invoicing was considered, along with the lack of sufficient market enquiries to disprove the valuation.7. Ultimately, the appeal succeeded, with the Tribunal granting consequential relief based on the lack of concrete evidence supporting deliberate over-invoicing in the export goods.