Samsung Galaxy Tabs Classifiable as ‘ADP Machines/ Tablet Computers’

Commissioner of Customs Vs Samsung India Electronics Pvt. Ltd. (CESTAT Chennai)

Introduction: In a noteworthy case, Commissioner of Customs Vs Samsung India Electronics Pvt Ltd, the Customs, Excise, and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) in Chennai ruled in favor of the department by categorizing Samsung Galaxy Tabs as ‘Automatic Data Processing (ADP) Machines/Tablet Computers’ and not ‘Mobile Phones.’ Samsung had initially imported the product under the latter classification.

Analysis: This case was primarily centered around the classification of the Samsung Galaxy Tab (GT-P1000). Initially, Samsung, the respondent, had classified the imported tablets under Customs Tariff Heading (CTH) 85171290, corresponding to mobile phones. However, the department disagreed and reclassified the devices under CTH 84713090, referring to tablet computers. This reclassification was based on the descriptions on the packages, which read “Samsung Galaxy Tabs.”

Subsequently, Samsung contested the department’s classification, and the matter went up to the Commissioner (Appeals), who favored Samsung’s original classification. The department, however, appealed this decision before the CESTAT, which ultimately upheld the department’s classification.

Interestingly, the counsel for Samsung admitted during the hearing that following a 2013 circular issued by the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), Samsung had accepted the classification under CTH 8471 for future imports. Nonetheless, they insisted that the acceptance should not prejudice any contentions they may raise in pending matters.

Conclusion: The CESTAT’s verdict underscores the importance of correct goods classification under the Customs Tariff Act, especially when dealing with technology products like smartphones and tablets that often blur category boundaries. The case also highlights the influence of CBEC circulars on importers’ classification decisions. By ruling in favor of the department, the CESTAT affirmed the significance of appropriate classification, which can significantly impact the duty payable on imported goods. The case also opens up possibilities for further debate on similar categorizations.

FULL TEXT OF THE CESTAT CHENNAI ORDER

This is an appeal filed by the department against the order passed by the Commissioner (Appeals) who set aside the order of the adjudicating authority who redetermined the classification of the goods viz. Samsung Galaxy Tab (GT-P1000) imported vide Bill of Entry dt. 16.03.2011 under CTH 84713090 and rejected the classification under CTH 85171290 as adopted by the importer/respondent herein.

2. Brief facts are that the respondent imported Samsung Mobile Phone GT-P1000CWHINU vide Bill of Entry dt.16.03.2011 claiming classification under CTH 85171290 as applicable to mobile phones. On examination of the documents and packages which showed description of goods as “Samsung Galaxy Tabs”, the Department was of the view that the goods are rightly classifiable as ‘Tablet Computers’ under CTH 84713090 and assessment was accordingly done. Respondent paid the duty under protest. The adjudicating authority passed the Order-in-Original dt. 01.08.2011 rejecting the classification adopted by the importer and held that the goods are classifiable under CTH 84713090 and thereby ordered for vacating the protest. The importer-respondent herein preferred an appeal before the Commissioner (Appeals) who vide order impugned herein set aside the said order and held that the goods are rightly classifiable under CTH 8517. Hence the department is now before the Tribunal.

3. A.R Sri Harendra Singh Pal reiterated the grounds of appeal.

4. Counsel Sri Rohan Murdalidharan appeared for the respondent and submitted that pursuant to the Circular No.20/2013- Cus. dt.14.05.2013 issued by CBEC clarifying that the tablet computers are correctly classifiable under CTH 8471, the respondent has adopted the said classification in future imports. It is submitted that pursuant to the re-classification by the original authority, in the present case, the department had issued show cause notice for the previous imports made by the respondent invoking the extended period of limitation. Though the respondent is now accepting the classification, the accede to the issue of classification may be considered without prejudice to the respondent’s right to put forward all contentions including the issue of limitation in matters kept in abeyance for adjudication. It is pointed out that the very same issue with regard to import of the same goods was considered by the Tribunal in the respondent’s own case as reported in 2019 (4) TMI 915 CESTAT MUMBAI and the Tribunal remanded the matter to the adjudicating authority to reconsider the issue. Ld. Counsel prayed for orders accordingly.

6. The issue is with regard to the classification of ‘Samsung Mobile Phone GT-P1000 CHWINU’ imported by the respondent. The respondent has classified the goods under CTH 85171290 as applicable to Mobile Phone. According to the Department, the description on the packages revealed that these were Samsung Galaxy Tabs and could not be classified as mobile phone. Accordingly, the goods were assessed as Automatic Data Processing (ADP) Machines / Tablet Computers under CTH 84713090. At the time of hearing, the Ld. Counsel appearing for the respondent submitted that pursuant to the clarification issued by the Board vide circular No. 20/2013-Cus. dt. 14.5.2013, the respondent has adopted the said classification in their future imports. Their only request is that the said acceptance of classification may be considered as without prejudice to the contentions that may be raised in matters pending before the Department.

7. Taking note of the submissions made by the Ld. Counsel that they have accepted the classification of the impugned goods to be CTH 84713090 as ordered by the original authority, we hold that the appeal of the department on the issue of classification succeeds.

8. Counsel for respondent has submitted that the acceptance of the classification may be considered without prejudice to the arguments that may be put forward by them in matters pending before the Department. We do take note of the said plea put forward by the respondent. Needless to say, that respondent would be entitled to put forward arguments on all grounds in matters pending before the Department.

9. In the result, the impugned order passed by the Commissioner (Appeals) is set aside. The appeal filed by the Department is allowed. The cross objections filed by respondent is dismissed.

(Pronounced in court on 17.07.2023)