Diamond pendant qualifies as personal effect for jewelry biz owner. Customs erred in valuation. Refund ordered.

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

Full Text of the Document

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

....Petitioner can bring gold chain with diamond pendant into India as personal effect under Baggage Rules 1998. Invoice for diamond purchase though unsigned, cannot be sole basis for rejection. Personal effect interpretation depends on context and person's background. For high net worth individual like Petitioner engaged in jewelry business with declared income of USD 150,000, expensive jewelry qualifies as personal effect. Customs authorities erred in initiating proceedings merely on high value ascription without considering Petitioner's background and valuation date discrepancy. Respondents directed to refund Rs. 35,00,000 deposited by Petitioner within four weeks.....