The CESTAT allowed the appeal by the Appellant against the...

The CESTAT allowed the appeal by the Appellant against the Respondent, setting aside the impugned order as devoid of merits. The Tribunal held the transactions to be principal-to-principal: freight constitutes consideration for space procured from the shipping line, and allotment of that procured space to shippers at negotiated rates is a distinct principal-to-principal transaction. Consequently, brokerage/commission received for promotion or marketing in this context does not qualify as taxable business auxiliary services but flows from independent principal transactions. The appeal is allowed and the impugned order is quashed.

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