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The loudspeakers are in different sizes and some of
them are the typical loudspeaker sizes seen in most of
the functions where the sound received from outside
sources gets amplified, as per requirement of the user.
Of course the Revenue is not disputing the
classification of the same. However, wherever the
speakers have an additional facility of USB port, which
has been explained to us as a facility wherein a pen
drive can be inserted and the sound recorded in the
pen drive can be amplified by the speaker, Heading
8519 covers "Sound recording or reproducing
apparatus". The question which is required to be
decided is as to whether introducing such facility of
USB port for USB playback is otherwise admittedly
speaker can be considered to be a reproducing
apparatus or not. The reading of the various sub-
headings of the said Heading reveals that it covers the
products like Audio CD player, CD players, MP3
players, time code recorders, etc. In our opinion, the
speaker is primarily a speaker and some additional
feature or facility for use of USB playback will not
convert the same into a product equivalent to the
products covered by Heading 8519. Similarly, Heading
8527 takes into its ambit the "Reception apparatus for
radio-broadcasting, whether or not combined, in the
same housing". The additional feature of FM radio in
the speaker, in our opinion, would again not convert
the huge speaker into a FM radio. Even going by the
common parlance test, nobody would buy a huge
speaker for the purpose of FM radio. 4.1 At this stage,
we may advert to the Circular No. 27/2013Cus., dated
1-8-2013 which alone stands relied upon by the lower
authorities for coming to the conclusion against the
assessee. The said circular stands given by the Ministry
of Finance on the representations received from the
industry in respect of the identical products being
imported. The opinion as expressed in the said circular
Appeal No.: C/75580-75581/2020-DB
is based upon the outcome of the Conference of Chief
Commissioners of Customs and Directorate General on
the Customs Tariff and allied matters. Relevant paras
of the said circulars are reproduced: -
"3. The competing headings are:
8518 - Loudspeakers, whether or not mounted in
their enclosures: headphones and earphones, whether
or not combined with a microphone, and sets
consisting of a microphone and one or more
loudspeakers: audio-frequency electric amplifiers:
electric sound amplifier sets;
8519 - Sound recording or reproducing apparatus;
8527 - Reception apparatus for radio-broadcasting
whether or not combined, in the same housing, with
sound recording or reproducing apparatus or a clock.
"8518 Microphones and stands therefor;
Page 13 of 16
Appeal No.: C/75580-75581/2020-DB
loudspeakers, whether or not
mounted in their enclosures,
headphones and earphones, whether
or not combined with a microphone,
and sets consisting of a microphone
and one or more loudspeakers, audio-
frequency electric amplifiers; electric
sound amplifier set
8518 10 10 Microphones and stands therefor,
Loudspeakers, whether or not
mounted in their enclosures
8518 21 00 Single loudspeaker, mounted in their
enclosures
8518 22 00 Multiple loudspeakers, mounted in the
same enclosure
8518 29 00 Other
8518 30 00 Headphones and earphones, whether
or not combined with a microphone,
and sets consisting of a microphone
and one or more loudspeakers
8518 40 00 Audio-frequency electric amplifiers
8518 50 00 Electric sound amplifier sets
8518 90 00 Parts"