Cenvat Credit on CHA Service Used For Export of Goods

Manas Joshi

One fine morning, my mobile rang and my client asked me “Sir, can I take CENVAT credit on CHA services used for export of goods?” Officers are disallowing our credit”. Since law is very clear, I immediately gave positive reply to my client and discontinued our conversation. Then I thought do we really need interpretation of the definition of “input service” so as to cover services provided by Customs House Agent (CHA) in the definition. With the help of this article, I just want to convey those aspects which are very much clarified by the Central Government as well as Tribunal in relation to availing CENVAT on CHA services used for export of goods.

We all are aware that the definition of “input service” has gone through various amendments since past few years which have resulted in lot of litigations. The text of the latest definition of “input service” is reproduced below for your ready reference:

l) “input service” means any service, –

(i)  used by a provider of [output service] for providing an output service; or

(ii) used by a manufacturer, whether directly or indirectly, in or in relation to the manufacture of final products and clearance of final products upto the place of removal, and includes services used in relation to modernization, renovation or repairs of a factory, premises of provider of output service or an office relating to such factory or premises, advertisement or sales promotion, market research, storage upto the place of removal, procurement of inputs, accounting, auditing, financing, recruitment and quality control, coaching and training, computer networking, credit rating, share registry, security, business exhibition, legal services, inward transportation of inputs or capital goods and outward transportation upto the place of removal;

but excludes, –

(A)  service portion in the execution of a works contract and construction services including service listed under clause (b) of section 66E of the Finance Act (hereinafter referred as specified services) in so far as they are used for –

(a)  construction or execution of works contract of a building or a civil structure or a part thereof; or

(b)  laying of foundation or making of structures for support of capital goods, except for the provision of one or more of the specified services; or

(B) services provided by way of renting of a motor vehicle], in so far as they relate to a motor vehicle which is not a capital goods; or

(BA) service of general insurance business, servicing, repair and maintenance, in so far as they relate to a motor vehicle which is not a capital goods,  except when used by –

(a)  a manufacturer of a motor vehicle in respect of a motor vehicle manufactured by  such person; or

(b)  an insurance company in respect of a motor vehicle insured or reinsured by such person; or]

(c)    such as those provided in relation to outdoor catering, beauty treatment, health services, cosmetic and plastic surgery, membership of a club, health and fitness centre, life insurance, health insurance and travel benefits extended to employees on vacation such as Leave or Home Travel Concession, when such services are used primarily for personal use or consumption of any employee

It can be seen that the above definition is divided into three parts. The first part covers all such services which have direct or indirect co-relation with the manufacture of final goods. The second part starts with the word “and includes” and therefore, this is the inclusive part of the definition till exclusion part. This second part not only covers the services which are specifically mentioned but also those services which are not specifically mentioned and which are not specifically covered in the exclusion part of the definition (this is where most of the litigations are going on and expecting much more in future). Lastly, the third part of the definition, starting with the word “but excludes” relates with the exclusion part. It can be clearly seen from the definition that the exclusion list is specific and not “inclusive”. Thus, prima facie it can be concluded that an assessee can avail CENVAT credit of all such services which are not specifically excluded from the definition. It is important to note that the service provided by CHA is nowhere mentioned in the exclusive part of the definition and therefore, CENVAT credit on CHA service should be allowed.

IN CASE OF EXPORT, PORT IS PLACE OF REMOVAL

Further to our discussion, I wish to bring your attention to the last sentence of the “inclusive part” which says that services related to outward transportation of goods upto the place of removal. The term “place of removal” is not defined under the Cenvat Credit Rules, 2004 and therefore, we need to refer the definition of “place of removal” given under Section 4(3)(C) of the Central Excise Act, 1944. The text of the definition is reproduced below for your ready reference:

“place of removal” means –

(i) a factory or any other place or premises of production or manufacture of the excisable goods;

(ii) a warehouse or any other place or premises wherein the excisable goods have been permitted to be deposited without payment of duty;

(iii) a depot, premises of a consignment agent or any other place or premises from where the excisable goods are to be sold after their clearance from the factory;

from where such goods are removed;

In normal practice, the manufacturers export goods on FOB basis i.e. Free on Board basis. In such cases, ownership of such export goods belongs to the manufacturer-exporter until such manufacturer-exporter hand over documents related to such export good to the shipping lines. In other words, it can be said that ownership of export goods get transferred to the foreign customer upon transfer of documents of title to shipping lines at Port and thus, “Port” is the place from where export goods are to be sold. As seen in the definition of the “place of removal”, the third point of the definition clearly says that “place of removal” is any place from where the excisable goods are to be sold after their clearance from the factory and thus, it is clear that in case of export of manufactured goods, “Port” is the “place of removal”. Thus, CHA service availed for export of goods is specifically included in the definition of “input service”.

In this connection, reliance can be place on the below decisions of the Hon’ble Tribunal wherein it is held that in case of export of manufactured goods, port is the place of removal and therefore, CENVAT credit of service tax paid on CHA service is admissible:

a) CCE, Hyderabad-IV v/s Pokarna Ltd. – 2013 (292) E.L.T. 316 (Tri. – Bang.)

b) CCE, Rajkot v. Rolex Rings P. Ltd. – 2008 (230) E.L.T. 569 (Tri.-Ahmd.)

c) Adani Pharmachem (P.) Ltd. v. CCE, 2008 (232) ELT 804 (Tri. – Ahmd.)

d) Meghachem Industries v/s CCE, Ahmedabad – 2011 (23) S.T.R. 472 (Tri. – Ahmd.)

e) JK Tyre & Industries LTD. v/s CCE, Mysore – 2010 (18) S.T.R. 637 (Tri. – Bang.)             

CBE&C CLARIFIES THAT PORT IS PLACE OF REMOVAL IN CASE OF EXPRT

Further, I wish to bring your attention to para no. 8.2 of the Circular F. No. 137/85/2007-CX.4 wherein the CBE&C has also clarified that CENVAT credit of service tax paid on the transportation of goods upto such place of sale would be admissible if it is established that sale has actually taken place at the place of customer (it is also useful in case of credit on outward transportation of GTA service). In case of export goods, ownership of such goods remained with the manufacturer-exporter till port area and it gets transferred at the Port upon hand over of documents of title to export goods and therefore, based on clarification issued by the CBE&C, CENVAT credit of service tax paid on CHA service for export of goods is admissible.

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