Sh. Asashwin Bhalakiya Ji,
The following facts are beyond dispute:
(i) Tobacco products are covered under both Central Excise Act and GST Acts. Accordingly, Central Excise Tariff Act and Customs Tariff Act (made applicable to GST) are applicable.
(ii) If we peruse the definition of 'Job-worker' under both Acts, one aspect is beyond dispute that job-worker works for and on behalf of the principal (owner). The principal is responsible for discharging tax liability on the job-worked goods. He is responsible for inputs/semi-finished goods/goods sent to the job-worker. Even waste or bye-product arising during job work is owned by the principal. The job-worker can supply/clear/sell the finished goods (job-worked) after permission from the principal. The job worker cannot deal with such goods on his own sweet will. In this context, the job-worker is to follow the principal's instructions. This is as per per Central Excise Act and GST Acts.
(iii) To understand the concept of job-worker, it can be said that the job-worker can also be called, 'Contractor' or sub-contractor' for this purpose.
(iv) The processes carried out by the job worker on the inputs amounts to manufacture. The character of the goods is changed. Thus the process conforms to the definition of 'manufacture' as per Central Excise Act and GST Acts.
(v) To some extent, the job-worker can use its own material for this purpose.
(vi) As per both Acts, job-worked goods were to be returned to the principal on that very delivery challan received from the principal but instead of that the goods were supplied/sold/cleared to the principal on the tax invoice.
(vii) Had such goods been sold to some other person on the directions of the principal, that buyer would have taken ITC.
(viii) In this arrangement, there is no revenue loss and hence procedural lapse only.
(ix) ITC-04 return is required to be filed.
(x) The whole such arrangement can be termed as 'Job-work' under both Acts.
(xi) Pl ensure that all taxes (GST) and Central Excise duties (BED, NCCD etc.) are paid.