Specific description prevails over general entry in import policy for populated printed circuit boards requiring licence.

Loaded or populated printed circuit boards imported as sub-assemblies were treated as outside the Open General Licence entry for bare printed circuit boards under the Import & Export Policy 1985-88. Because the goods were mounted with semiconductor devices and other fittings, they fell within the specific entry for sub-assemblies in Appendix 3 Part A, and the separate reference to populated printed circuit boards in Appendix 2 Part B confirmed that such goods required a specific import licence. The principle applied was that a specific description prevails over a general description.

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Issues: Whether loaded or populated printed circuit boards imported by the appellant were covered by Open General Licence under Appendix 6 List 8 Part I of the Import & Export Policy 1985-88 or were excluded by the specific entries in Appendix 3 Part A and Appendix 2 Part B, thereby requiring a specific import licence.

Analysis: The imported goods were found, on examination and in the adjudication records, to be printed circuit boards mounted with semiconductor devices and other elements and fittings, in the nature of sub-assemblies or kits ready for fitment rather than bare printed circuit boards. On that basis, the goods were held to fall within the specific entry for sub-assemblies in Appendix 3 Part A and not within the OGL entry meant only for printed circuit boards other than those covered by Appendix 3 Part A. The reasoning applied the principle that a specific description prevails over a generic description, and the presence of a separate entry for populated or loaded printed circuit boards in Appendix 2 Part B reinforced the conclusion that such goods were not covered by the general OGL entry.

Conclusion: The imported goods were not eligible for OGL and required a specific import licence; the appeal failed on this issue.

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