An advance ruling application is not maintainable where the same...

An advance ruling application is not maintainable where the same classification question is already pending in the applicant's own case before customs appellate fora or a court. The Authority held that disputes concerning Lithium Ion Cells and related components were already pending, and rejected the attempt to distinguish the cells by intended end use because classification turns on the goods' nature, composition and technical characteristics unless the tariff entry requires otherwise. It also held that the statutory bar applies to intrinsically connected goods and that partial admission is not contemplated; the application was therefore rejected in toto, with liberty to file a fresh application limited to goods not hit by the bar.

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