CHAPTER III
Indirect taxesCustoms
 20. Amendment of section 17.- In the Customs Act, 1962 (hereafter referred to as the Customs Act), in section 17, after sub-section (4), the following sub-section shall be inserted, namely:-“(5) Where any assessment done under sub-section (2) is contrary to the claim of the importer or exporter regarding valuation of goods, classification, exemption or concessions of duty availed consequent to any notification therefor under this Act, and in cases other than those where the importer or the exporter, as the case may be, confirms his acceptance of the said assessment in writing, the proper officer shall pass a speaking order within fifteen days from the date of assessment of the bill of entry or the shipping bill, as the case may be.”
.21.Amendment of section 18- In section 18 of the Customs Act, after sub-section (2), the following sub-sections shall be inserted, namely:-“(3) The importer or exporter shall be liable to pay interest, on any amount payable to the Central Government, consequent to the final assessment order under sub-section (2), at the rate fixed by the Central Government under section 28AB from the first day of the month in which the duty is provisionally assessed till the date of payment thereof. (4) Subject to sub-section (5), if any refundable amount referred to in clause (a) of sub-section (2) is not refunded under that sub-section within three months from the date of assessment of duty finally, there shall be paid an interest on such unrefunded amount at such rate fixed by the Central Government under section 27A till the date of refund of such amount. (5) The amount of duty refundable under sub-section (2) and the interest under sub-section (4), if any, shall, instead of being credited to the Fund, be paid to the importer or the exporter, as the case may be, if such amount is relatable to-(a) the duty and interest, if any, paid on such duty paid by the importer, or the exporter, as the case may be, if he had not passed on the incidence of such duty and interest, if any, paid on such duty to any other person;(b) the duty and interest, if any, paid on such duty on imports made by an individual for his personal use;(c) the duty and interest, if any, paid on such duty borne by the buyer, if he had not passed on the incidence of such duty and interest, if any, paid on such duty to any other person;(d) the export duty as specified in section 26;(e) drawback of duty payable under sections 74 and 75.”.
.22. Amendment of section 28.- In section 28 of the Customs Act,-(a) after sub-section (1), the following sub-section shall be inserted, namely:-“(1A) When any duty has not been levied or has been short-levied or the interest has not been charged or has been part paid or the duty or interest has been erroneously refunded by reason of collusion or any wilful misstatement or suppression of facts by the importer or the exporter or the agent or employee of the importer or exporter, to whom a notice is served under the proviso to sub-section (1) by the proper officer, may pay duty in full or in part as may be accepted by him, and the interest payable thereon under section 28AB and penalty equal to twenty-five per cent. of the duty specified in the notice or the duty so accepted by such person within thirty days of the receipt of the notice.”;(b) to sub-section (2), the following provisos shall be added, namely:-“Provided that if such person has paid the duty in full together with interest and penalty under sub-section (1A), the proceedings in respect of such person and other persons to whom notice is served under sub-section (1) shall, without prejudice to the provisions of sections 135, 135A and 140, be deemed to be conclusive as to the matters stated therein:Provided further that, if such person has paid duty in part, interest and penalty under sub-section (1A), the proper officer shall determine the amount of duty or interest not being in excess of the amount partly due from such person.”.
23. Insertion of new section 28BA.- After section 28B of the Customs Act, the following section shall be inserted,namely:-“28BA. Provisional attachment to protect revenue in certain cases. – (1) Where, during the pendency of any proceeding under section 28 or section 28B, the proper officer is of the opinion that for the purpose of protecting the interests of revenue, it is necessary so to do, he may, with the previous approval of the Commissioner of Customs, by order in writing, attach provisionally any property belonging to the person on whom notice is served under sub-section (1) of section 28 or sub-section (2) of section 28B, as the case may be, in accordance with the rules made in this behalf under section 142.(2) Every such provisional attachment shall cease to have effect after the expiry of a period of six months from the date of the order made under sub-section (1):Provided that the Chief Commissioner of Customs may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, extend the aforesaid period by such further period or periods as he thinks fit, so, however, that the total period of extension shall not in any case exceed two years:Provided further that where an application for settlement of case under section 127B is made to the Settlement Commission, the period commencing from the date on which such application is made and ending with the date on which an order under sub-section (1) of section 127C is made shall be excluded from the period specified in the preceding proviso.”.
24. Amendment of section 104.- In section 104 of the Customs Act, for sub-section (1), the following sub-section shall be substituted, namely:-“(1) If an officer of customs empowered in this behalf by general or special order of the Commissioner of Customs has reason to believe that any person in India or within the Indian customs waters has committed an offence punishable under section 132 or section 133 or section 135 or section 135A or section 136, he may arrest such person and shall, as soon as may be, inform him of the grounds for such arrest.”
25. In section 108 of the Customs Act, for sub-section (1), the following sub-section shall be substituted, namely:-“(1) Any gazetted officer of customs duly empowered by the Central Government in this behalf, shall have power to summon any person whose attendance he considers necessary either to give evidence or to produce a document or any other thing in any inquiry which such officer is making under this Act.”.
26. Insertion of new section 110A.- .After section 110 of the Customs Act, the following section shall be inserted, namely:-“110A.Provisional release of goods, documents and things seized pending adjudication.- Any goods, documents or things seized under section 110, may, pending the order of the adjudicating officer, be released to the owner on taking a bond from him in the proper form with such security and conditions as the Commissioner of Customs may require.”.
27.Insertion of new section 114AA. – After section 114A of the Customs Act, the following section shall be inserted, namely:-“114AA.Penalty for use of false and incorrect material. – If a person knowingly or intentionally makes, signs or uses, or causes to be made, signed or used, any declaration, statement or document which is false or incorrect in any material particular, in the transaction of any business for the purposes of this Act, shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding five times the value of goods.”.
.28. Amendment of section 124. – In section 124 of the Customs Act, in clause (a), for the words “writing informing”, the words “writing with the prior approval of the officer of customs not below the rank of a Deputy Commissioner of Customs, informing” shall be substituted.
29. Amendment of section 129D. – In section 129D of the Customs Act, in sub-section (2), for the words “such authority”, the words “such authority or any officer of customs subordinate to him” shall be substituted.
30.Amendment of section 133. – In section 132 of the Customs Act, for the words “six months”, the words “two years” shall be substituted.
31. Amendment of section 132 – In section 133 of the Customs Act, for the words “six months”, the words “two years” shall be substituted.
32.Amendment of section 137. – In section 137 of the Customs Act, in sub-section (1), for the word and figures “section 135”, the words, figures and letter “section 135 or section 135A” shall be substituted.
33.Insertion of new section 154B. – After section 154A of the Customs Act, the following section shall be inserted, namely:-“154B.Publication of information respecting persons in certain cases. – (1) If the Central Government is of opinion that it is necessary or expedient in the public interest to publish the names of any person and any other particulars relating to any proceedings or prosecutions under this Act in respect of such person, it may cause to be published such names and particulars in such manner as it thinks fit.(2) No publication under this section shall be made in relation to any penalty imposed under this Act until the time for presenting an appeal to the Commissioner (Appeals) under section 128 or the Appellate Tribunal under section 129A, as the case may be, has expired without an appeal having been presented or the appeal, if presented, has been disposed of.Explanation.-In the case of a firm, company or other association of persons, the names of the partners of the firm, directors, managing agents, secretaries and treasurers or managers of the company, or the members of the association, as the case may be, may also be published if, in the opinion of the Central Government, circumstances of the case justify it.”.Customs tariff
34. Amendment of section 8B of Act 51 of 1975. – In section 8B of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975, in the first proviso to sub-section (1), for the words “all such countries”, the words “developing countries each with less than three per cent. import share” shall be substituted.Excise
35. Amendment of section 11A. – In section 11A of the Central Excise Act, 1944 (hereafter referred to as the Central Excise Act),-(a) after sub-section (1), the following sub-section shall be inserted, namely:-“(1A) When any duty of excise has not been levied or paid or has been short-levied or short paid or erroneously refunded, by reason of fraud, collusion or any wilful misstatement or suppression of facts, or contravention of any of the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder with intent to evade payment of duty, by such person or his agent, to whom a notice is served under the proviso to sub-section (1) by the Central Excise Officer, may pay duty in full or in part as may be accepted by him, and the interest payable thereon under section 11AB and penalty equal to twenty-five per cent. of the duty specified in the notice or the duty so accepted by such person within thirty days of the receipt of the notice.”;(b) to sub-section (2), the following provisos shall be added, namely:-“Provided that if such person has paid the duty in full together with, interest and penalty under sub-section (1A), the proceedings in respect of such person and other persons to whom notice is served under sub-section (1) shall, without prejudice to the provisions of sections 9, 9A and 9AA, be deemed to be conclusive as to the matters stated therein:Provided further that, if such person has paid duty in part, interest and penalty under sub-section (1A), the Central Excise Officer, shall determine the amount of duty or interest not being in excess of the amount partly due from such person.”..
36Insertion of new section 11DDA. – After section 11DD of the Central Excise Act, the following section shall be inserted, namely:-“11DDA. Provisional attachment to protect revenue in certain cases.(1) Where, during the pendency of any proceedings under section 11A or section 11D, the Central Excise Officer is of the opinion that for the purpose of protecting the interests of revenue, it is necessary so to do, he may, with the previous approval of the Commissioner of Central Excise, by order in writing, attach provisionally any property belonging to the person on whom notice is served under sub-section (1) of section 11A or sub-section (2) of section 11D, as the case may be, in accordance with the rules made in this behalf under section 142 of the Customs Act, 1962.(2) Every such provisional attachment shall cease to have effect after the expiry of a period of six months from the date of the order made under sub-section (1):Provided that the Chief Commissioner of Central Excise may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, extend the aforesaid period by such further period or periods as he thinks fit, so, however, that the total period of extension shall not in any case exceed two years:Provided further that where an application for settlement of case under section 32E is made to the Settlement Commission, the period commencing from the date on which such application is made and ending with the date on which an order under sub-section (1) of section 32F is made shall be excluded from the period specified in the preceding proviso.”.
37. Amendment of section 35E – In section 35E of the Central Excise Act, in sub-section (2), for the words “such authority”, the words “such authority or any Central Excise Officer subordinate to him” shall be substituted. nsertion of new section 37E
38.nsertion of new section 37E – After section 37D of the Central Excise Act, the following section shall be inserted, namely:-“37E.Publication of information respecting persons in certain cases. – (1) If the Central Government is of opinion that it is necessary or expedient in the public interest to publish the names of any person and any other particulars relating to any proceedings or prosecutions under this Act in respect of such person, it may cause to be published such names and particulars in such manner as it thinks fit.(2) No publication under this section shall be made in relation to any penalty imposed under this Act until the time for presenting an appeal to the Commissioner (Appeals) under section 35 or the Appellate Tribunal under section 35B, as the case may be, has expired without an appeal having been presented or the appeal, if presented, has been disposed of.Explanation.-In the case of a firm, company or other association of persons, the names of the partners of the firm, directors, managing agents, secretaries and treasurers or managers of the company, or the members of the association, as the case may be, may also be published if, in the opinion of the Central Government, circumstances of the case justify it.”.
 39. Amendment of rule 16 of the Central Excise Rules, 2002. – (1) In the Central Excise Rules, 2002, made by the Central Government in exercise of the powers conferred by section 37 of the Central Excise Act, rule 16 thereof as published in the Official Gazette vide notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue), No. G.S.R. 143(E), dated the 1st March, 2002 shall stand amended and shall be deemed to have been amended retrospectively in the manner as specified in column (2) of the Schedule for the period specified in column (3) of that Schedule against the rule specified in column (1) of that Schedule.(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in any judgment, decree or order of any court, tribunal or other authority, any action taken or anything done or purported to have been taken or done, at any time during the period commencing on and from the 29th day of May, 2003 and ending with the 8th day of July, 2004 under the rule as amended by sub-section (1), shall be deemed to be and always to have been, for all the purposes, as validly and effectively taken or done as if the amendment made by sub-section (1) had been in force at all material times.(3) For the purposes of sub-section (1), the Central Government shall have and shall be deemed to have the power to make rules with retrospective effect as if the Central Government had the power to make rules under section 37 of the Central Excise Act, retrospectively, at all material times.Explanation.-For the removal of doubts, it is hereby declared that no act or omission on the part of any person shall be punishable as an offence, which would not have been so punishable if this section had not come into force.Provisions of Amendment Period of the Central effect of Excise Rules, amendment2002 to be amended——————————————————————————————————————————————
