Request to Convert Shipping Bills Denied Due to Time Lapse and Lack of Applicable Drawback Rates at Export Time.

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....Request for conversion of free Shipping Bills into Drawback Shipping Bills - Long lapsed period between exports (1998) and the request for conversion (2007) - The Tribunal observed that conversion from free to drawback shipping bills is not merely an amendment but changes the entire nature of the document. The Tribunal reiterated that amendments under Section 149 are discretionary and can only be based on documents available at the time of export. Since there were no All-Industry Rates for the goods at the time of export and no brand rate applied for, the Tribunal found no basis for drawback claims. The Tribunal affirmed that notified All-Industry Rates are always prospective and cannot be applied retrospectively. Considering the significant lapse of time between exports and the request for conversion, the Tribunal upheld the Commissioner's decision not to allow the conversion.....