CESTAT held that the revenue could not treat the importer's...

CESTAT held that the revenue could not treat the importer's written "acceptance" of enhanced assessable value as unconditional, since contemporaneous letters clearly showed clearance was sought on payment of duty under protest, including a request for provisional assessment. As all bills of entry were post-2011, the Proper Officer was statutorily obliged under s.17(5) of the Customs Act to issue a speaking order recording reasons for rejection of the declared transaction value and basis of enhancement, which was not done. CESTAT ruled that the statutory right to challenge the Proper Officer's decision cannot be waived merely by acceptance letters, particularly when contemporaneous import data was neither disclosed nor discussed. Consequently, the impugned Orders-in-Appeal were set aside and the appeals of M/s X allowed, with directions to re-determine assessable value strictly in accordance with s.17(5) and principles of natural justice.