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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;
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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"