Proposed Amendment in the Customs Act, 1962 and Service Tax - Union Budget 2019

Current provisions

Proposed provisions

Effect

Section - 41 (Delivery of departure manifest or export manifest or export report)

The person-in-charge of a conveyance carrying export goods or imported goods shall, before departure of the conveyance from a customs station, deliver to the proper officer in the case of a vessel or aircraft, an departure manifest or export manifest by presenting electronically, and in the case of a vehicle, an export report, in such form and manner as may be prescribed and in case, the person-in-charge fails to deliver the departure manifest or export manifest or the export report or any part thereof within such time, and the proper officer is satisfied that there is no sufficient cause for such delay, such person-in-charge shall be liable to pay penalty not exceeding fifty thousand rupees

The person-in-charge of a conveyance carrying export goods or imported goods or any other person as may be specified by the Central Government, by notification, shall, before departure of the conveyance from a customs station, deliver to the proper officer in the case of a vessel or aircraft, a departure manifest or an export manifest by presenting electronically, and in the case of a vehicle, an export report, in such form and manner as may be prescribed and in case, such person-in-charge or other person fails to deliver the departure manifest or export manifest or the export report or any part thereof within such time, and the proper officer is satisfied that there is no sufficient cause for such delay, such person-in-charge or other person shall be liable to pay penalty not exceeding fifty thousand rupees'.

Section 41 is being amended so as to provide a facility, that the departure manifest can also be furnished to a person notified by the Central Government, in addition to the person-in charge of the conveyance.

Chapter XIIB - 'Verification of Identity and Compliance'

This chapter has been newly inserted:

99B. (1) The proper officer, authorised in this behalf by the Principal Commissioner of Customs or the Commissioner of Customs, as the case may be, may, for the purposes of ascertaining compliance of the provisions of this Act or any other law for the time being in force, require a person, whose verification he considers necessary for protecting the interest of revenue or for preventing smuggling, to do all or any of the following, namely:-

(a) undergo authentication, or furnish proof of possession of Aadhaar number, in such manner and within such time as may be prescribed;

(b) submit such other document or information, in such manner and within such time as may be prescribed:

Provided that where such person has not been assigned the Aadhaar number, or where so

assigned, but authentication of such person has failed due to technical reasons or for reasons beyond his control, then, he shall be provided an opportunity to furnish such other alternative and viable means of identification in such form and manner and within such time as may be prescribed.

(2) The provisions of sub-section (1) shall not apply to such person or class of persons as may be prescribed.

(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other provisions of this Act, where the Principal Commissioner of Customs or the Commissioner of Customs comes to the conclusion, based on reasons to be recorded in writing, that the person referred to in sub-section (1) has––

i. failed to comply with the requirements of the said sub-section or submitted incorrect documents or information under the said sub-section, he may, by order, suspend -

a. clearance of imported goods or export goods;
b. sanction of refund;
c. sanction of drawback;
d. exemption from duty;
e. licence or registration granted under this Act; or
f. any benefit, monetary or otherwise, arising out of import or export,

relating to such person, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed;

ii. failed authentication as required under the said sub-section, he may, by order, direct that such person shall not have the benefit of any of the items specified in sub-clauses (a) to (f) of clause (i).

(4) The order of suspension under sub-section (3) shall remain in force until the person concerned complies with the requirements of sub-section (1) or furnishes correct document or information thereunder.

Explanation- For the purposes of this section, the expression 'Aadhaar number' shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in clause (a) of section 2 of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016.'.

Section 103 - Power to screen or X-ray bodies of suspected persons for detecting secreted goods

(1) Where the proper officer has reason to believe that any person referred to in sub-section (2) of section 100 has any goods liable to confiscation secreted inside his body, he may detain such person and produce him without unnecessary delay before the nearest magistrate.

(1) Where the proper officer has reason to believe that any person referred to in sub-section (2) of section 100 has any goods liable to confiscation secreted inside his body, he may detain such person and produce him without unnecessary delay before the nearest magistrate shall,–

(a) with the prior approval of the Deputy Commissioner of Customs or Assistant Commissioner of Customs, as soon as practicable, screen or scan such person using such equipment as may be available at the customs station, but without prejudice to any of the rights available to such person under any other law for the time being in force, including his consent for such screening or scanning, and forward a report of such screening or scanning to the nearest magistrate if such goods appear to be secreted inside his body; or

(b) produce him without unnecessary delay before the nearest magistrate.';

Section 103(1) is being amended so as to substitute sub-section (1) in order to enable the proper officer to scan or screen, with the prior approval of Deputy Commissioner of Customs or Assistant Commissioner of Customs, any person referred to in sub-section (2) of section 100 who has any goods liable to confiscation secreted inside his body. The proper officer can directly furnish the report of the said screening or scanning to the nearest magistrate if such goods are found secreted inside the body of the said person.

(6) Where on receipt of a report from a radiologist under sub-section (5) or otherwise, the magistrate is satisfied that any person has any goods liable to confiscation secreted inside his body, he may direct that suitable action for bringing out such goods be taken on the advice and under the supervision of a registered medical practitioner and such person shall be bound to comply with such direction.

Where on receipt of a report from the proper officer under clause (a) of sub-section (1) or from a radiologist under sub-section (5) or otherwise, the magistrate is satisfied that any person has any goods liable to confiscation secreted inside his body, he may direct that suitable action for bringing out such goods be taken on the advice and under the supervision of a registered medical practitioner and such person shall be bound to comply with such direction.

Section 103(6) is being amended so as to enable the magistrate to take action upon the report of scanning or screening by the proper officer under sub-section (6).

Section 104 - Power to arrest

(1) If an officer of Customs empowered in this behalf by general or special order of the Principal Commissioner of Customs or 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

(1) If an officer of Customs empowered in this behalf by general or special order of the Principal Commissioner of Customs or 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

Section 104(1) is being amended so as to empower an officer of customs to arrest a person who has committed an offence outside India or Indian Customs waters.

(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), any offence relating to-

(a) Prohibited goods; or

(b) evasion or attempted evasion of duty exceeding fifty lakh rupees, shall be cognizable.

(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), any offence relating to-

(a) Prohibited goods; or

(b) evasion or attempted evasion of duty exceeding fifty lakh 'rupees, or'

(c) fraudulently availing of or attempting to avail drawback or any exemption from duty provided under this Act, where the amount of drawback or exemption from duty exceeds fifty lakh rupees; or

(d) fraudulently obtaining an instrument for the purposes of this Act or the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992, and such instrument is utilised under this Act, where duty relatable to such utilisation of instrument exceeds fifty lakh rupees,'
shall be cognizable.

Sec 104(4) has been amended so as to insert two new clauses (c) and (d) in sub-section (4) so as to specify two particular offences which shall be cognizable.

(6) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), an offence punishable under section 135 relating to-

(a) evasion or attempted evasion of duty exceeding fifty lakh rupees; or

(b) prohibited goods notified under section 11 which are also notified under sub-clause (C) of clause (i) of sub-section (1) of section 135; or

(c) import or export of any goods which have not been declared in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the market price of which exceeds one crore rupees; or

(d) fraudulently availing of or attempt to avail of drawback or any exemption from duty provided under this Act, if the amount of drawback or exemption from duty exceeds fifty lakh rupees, shall be non-bailable.

(6) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), an offence punishable under section 135 relating to-

(a) evasion or attempted evasion of duty exceeding fifty lakh rupees; or

(b) prohibited goods notified under section 11 which are also notified under sub-clause (C) of clause (i) of sub-section (1) of section 135; or

(c) import or export of any goods which have not been declared in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the market price of which exceeds one crore rupees; or

(d) fraudulently availing of or attempt to avail of drawback or any exemption from duty provided under this Act, if the amount of drawback or exemption from duty exceeds fifty lakh 'rupees or', shall be non-bailable.

(e) fraudulently obtaining an instrument for the purposes of this Act or the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992, and such instrument is utilised under this Act, where duty relatable to such utilisation of instrument exceeds fifty lakh rupees,';

Section 104(6) is being amended so as to insert a new clause (e) in sub-section (6) so as to specify a particular offence which shall be non-bailable.

(7) Save as otherwise provided in sub-section (6), all other offences under this Act shall be bailable.

(7) Save as otherwise provided in sub-section (6), all other offences under this Act shall be bailable.

‘Explanation - For the purposes of this section, the expression 'instrument' shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in Explanation 1 to section 28AAA.'

Section 104(7) is being amended so as to insert an Explanation so as to define the term instrument.

Section 110 - Seizure of goods, documents and things

(1) If the proper officer has reason to believe that any goods are liable to confiscation under this Act, he may seize such goods:

Provided that where it is not practicable to seize any such goods, the proper officer may serve on the owner of the goods an order that he shall not remove, part with, or otherwise deal with the goods except with the previous permission of such officer.

(1) If the proper officer has reason to believe that any goods are liable to confiscation under this Act, he may seize such goods:

Provided that where it is not practicable to seize any such goods, the proper officer may serve on the owner of the goods an order that he shall not remove, part with, or otherwise deal with the goods except with the previous permission of such officer.

'Provided that where it is not practicable to remove, transport, store or take physical possession of the seized goods for any reason, the proper officer may give custody of the seized goods to the owner of the goods or the beneficial owner or any person holding himself out to be the importer, or any other person from whose custody such goods have been seized, on execution of an undertaking by such person that he shall not remove, part with, or otherwise deal with the goods except with the previous permission of such officer:

Provided further that where it is not practicable to seize any such goods, the proper officer may serve an order on the owner of the goods or the beneficial owner or any person holding himself out to be importer, or any other person from whose custody such goods have been found, directing that such person shall not remove, part with, or otherwise deal with such goods except with the previous permission of such officer.';

Section 110(1) is being amended so as to substitute the existing proviso in sub-section (1) with two provisos so as to specify the conditions under which the custody of seized goods could be given to certain person. The amendment also seeks to specify the conditions, under which the custody of such goods, where it is not practicable to seize such goods, could be given to certain persons.

......

(5) Where the proper officer, during any proceedings under the Act, is of the opinion that for the purposes of protecting the interest of revenue or preventing smuggling, it is necessary so to do, he may, with the approval of the Principal Commissioner of Customs or Commissioner of Customs, by order in writing, provisionally attach any bank account for a period not exceeding six months:

Provided that the Principal Commissioner of Customs or Commissioner of Customs may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, extend such period to a further period not exceeding six months and inform such extension of time to the person whose bank account is

provisionally attached, before the expiry of the period so specified.'.

Section 110 is being amended so as to insert a new sub-section (5) so as to empower the proper officer to provisionally attach any bank account for safeguarding the government revenue and prevention of smuggling, for a period not exceeding six months. It is also being provided that a Principal Commissioner of Customs or Commissioner of Customs may further extend the period of attachment up to six months.

Section 110A - Provisional release of goods, documents and things seized 'or bank account provisionally attached' pending adjudication

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 authority, be released to the owner on taking a bond from him in the proper form with such security and conditions as the adjudicating authority may require.

Provisional release of goods, documents and things seized or bank account provisionally attached pending adjudication

Any goods, documents or things seized or bank account provisionally attached under section 110, may, pending the order of the adjudicating authority, be released to the owner or the bank account holder on taking a bond from him in the proper form with such security and conditions as the adjudicating authority may require.

Section 110A is being amended so as to empower an adjudicating authority to release bank account provisionally attached under section 110 to the account holder on fulfillment of certain conditions.

Insertion of new Section 114AB - Penalty for obtaining instrument by fraud, etc.

......

114AB. Where any person has obtained any instrument by fraud, collusion, wilful misstatement or suppression of facts and such instrument has been utilised by such person or any other person for discharging duty, the person to whom the instrument was issued shall be liable for penalty not exceeding the face value of such instrument.

Explanation.–- For the purposes of this section, the expression 'instrument' shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in the Explanation 1 to section 28AAA.'.

A new section 114AB is being inserted so as to provide that any person who has obtained any instrument by fraud, collusion, wilful misstatement or suppression of facts and such instrument has been utilized by such person or any other person for discharging duty, such person to whom the instrument was issued shall be liable for penalty not exceeding the face value of such instrument. An Explanation to define the term instrument is also being inserted.

Section 117 - Penalties for contravention, etc., not expressly mentioned

Any person who contravenes any provision of this Act or abets any such contravention or who fails to comply with any provision of this Act with which it was his duty to comply, where no express penalty is elsewhere provided for such contravention or failure, shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding one lakh rupees

Any person who contravenes any provision of this Act or abets any such contravention or who fails to comply with any provision of this Act with which it was his duty to comply, where no express penalty is elsewhere provided for such contravention or failure, shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding one lakh rupees four lakh rupees

Section 117 is being amended so as to increase the maximum limit of penalty from one lakh rupees to four lakh rupees

Section 125 - Option to pay fine in lieu of confiscation

First proviso to section 125(1)

Provided that where the proceedings are deemed to be concluded under the proviso to sub-section (2) of section 28 or under clause (i) of sub-section (6) of that section in respect of the goods which are not prohibited or restricted, the provisions of this section shall not apply

Provided that where the proceedings are deemed to be concluded under the proviso to sub-section (2) of section 28 or under clause (i) of sub-section (6) of that section in respect of the goods which are not prohibited or restricted, the provisions of this section shall not apply no such fine shall be imposed

First proviso to section 125 is being amended so as to provide that in respect of cases of covered under deemed closure proceedings under section 28, no fine in lieu of confiscation shall be imposed on the infringing goods.

Section 135 - Evasion of duty or prohibitions

(1) Without prejudice to any action that may be taken under this Act, if any person-

(a) is in relation to any goods in any way knowingly concerned in misdeclaration of value or in any fraudulent evasion or attempt at evasion of any duty chargeable thereon or of any prohibition for the time being imposed under this Act or any other law for the time being in force with respect to such goods; or

(b) acquires possession of or is in any way concerned in carrying, removing, depositing, harbouring, keeping, concealing, selling or purchasing or in any other manner dealing with any goods which he knows or has reason to believe are liable to confiscation under section 111 or section 113, as the case may be; or

(c) attempts to export any goods which he knows or has reason to believe are liable to confiscation under section 113; or

(d) fraudulently avails of or attempts to avail of drawback or any exemption from duty provided under this Act in connection with export of goods,

he shall be punishable, -

(i) in the case of an offence relating to,-

(A) any goods the market price of which exceeds one crore of rupees; or

(B) the evasion or attempted evasion of duty exceeding 1[fifty lakh] of rupees; or

(C) such categories of prohibited goods as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify; or

(D) fraudulently availing of or attempting to avail of drawback or any exemption from duty referred to in clause (d), if the amount of drawback or exemption from duty exceeds fifty lakh of rupees,

with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years and with fine:

(1) Without prejudice to any action that may be taken under this Act, if any person-

(a) is in relation to any goods in any way knowingly concerned in misdeclaration of value or in any fraudulent evasion or attempt at evasion of any duty chargeable thereon or of any prohibition for the time being imposed under this Act or any other law for the time being in force with respect to such goods; or

(b) acquires possession of or is in any way concerned in carrying, removing, depositing, harbouring, keeping, concealing, selling or purchasing or in any other manner dealing with any goods which he knows or has reason to believe are liable to confiscation under section 111 or section 113, as the case may be; or

(c) attempts to export any goods which he knows or has reason to believe are liable to confiscation under section 113; or

(d) fraudulently avails of or attempts to avail of drawback or any exemption from duty provided under this Act in connection with export of goods, or

'(e) obtains an instrument from any authority by fraud, collusion, wilful misstatement or suppression of facts and such instrument has been utilised by such person or any other person,'

he shall be punishable, -

(i) in the case of an offence relating to,-

(A) any goods the market price of which exceeds one crore of rupees; or

(B) the evasion or attempted evasion of duty exceeding 1[fifty lakh] of rupees; or

(C) such categories of prohibited goods as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify; or

(D) fraudulently availing of or attempting to avail of drawback or any exemption from duty referred to in clause (d), if the amount of drawback or exemption from duty exceeds fifty lakh of rupees, or

'(E) obtaining an instrument from any authority by fraud, collusion, wilful misstatement or suppression of facts and such instrument has been utilised by any person, where the duty relatable to utilisation of the instrument exceeds fifty lakh rupees,'.

with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years and with fine:

Sub-section (1) of section 135 is being amended so as to-

(a) to insert a new clause (e) therein to make obtaining of an instrument from any authority by fraud, collusion, wilful misstatement or suppression of facts, where such instrument has been utilized by any person a punishable offence.

(b) insert a new sub-item (E) under item (i) to make obtaining an instrument from any authority by fraud, collusion, wilful misstatement or suppression of facts, where such instrument has been utilized by any person a punishable offence if the duty relatable to utilization of the instrument exceeds fifty lakhs of rupees.

......

Explanation- For the purposes of this section, the expression 'instrument' shall have the same

meaning as assigned to it in the Explanation 1 to section 28AAA.'

Sub-section (3) of section 135 is being amended so as to insert an Explanation to define the term instrument.

Section 149 - Amendment of documents

Save as otherwise provided in sections 30 and 41, the proper officer may, in his discretion, authorise any document, after it has been presented in the custom house to be amended:

Provided that no amendment of a bill of entry or a shipping bill or bill of export shall be so authorised to be amended after the imported goods have been cleared for home consumption or deposited in a warehouse, or the export goods have been exported, except on the basis of documentary evidence which was in existence at the time the goods were cleared, deposited or exported, as the case may be.

Save as otherwise provided in sections 30 and 41, the proper officer may, in his discretion, authorise any document, after it has been presented in the custom house to be amended, in such form and manner, within such time, subject to such restrictions and conditions, as may be prescribed:

Provided that no amendment of a bill of entry or a shipping bill or bill of export shall be so authorised to be amended after the imported goods have been cleared for home consumption or deposited in a warehouse, or the export goods have been exported, except on the basis of documentary evidence which was in existence at the time the goods were cleared, deposited or exported, as the case may be.

Section 149 is being amended so as to empower Board to make regulations specifying time, form, manner, restrictions and conditions for amendment of any document.

Section 157 - General power to make regulations

...

(ka) the manner of authentication and the time limit for such authentication, the document or information to be furnished and the manner of submitting such document or information and the time limit for such submission, the form and the manner of furnishing alternative means of identification and the time limit for furnishing such identification, person or class of persons to be exempted and conditions subject to which suspension may be made, under Chapter XIIB;';

'(n) the form and manner, the time limit and the restrictions and conditions for amendment of any document under section 149.'.

Section 157 is being amended so as to empower the Board to make regulations for purposes of sections 99B and 149 respectively.

Section 158 - Provisions with respect to rules and regulations

2(ii) that any person who contravenes any provision of a rule or regulation or abets such contravention or who fails to comply with any provision of a rule or regulation with which it was his duty to comply, shall be liable to a penalty which may extend to fifty thousand rupees

2(ii) that any person who contravenes any provision of a rule or regulation or abets such contravention or who fails to comply with any provision of a rule or regulation with which it was his duty to comply, shall be liable to a penalty which may extend to fifty thousand rupees two lakh rupees

Sub-section (2) of section 158 is being amended so as to increase the maximum limit of penalty for violation of any provision of rules or regulations from fifty thousand rupees to two

lakh rupees.

Service Tax: Amendments carried out through the Finance (No. 2) Bill, 2019 come into effect on the date of its enactment, unless otherwise specified: -

1.

As per clause 116 of Finance (No.2) Bill, 2019, any services provided or agreed to be provided by the State Government by way of grant of liquor licence, against consideration in the form of licence fee or application fee or by whatever name it is called, are proposed to be exempted from service tax for during the period commencing from 1st April, 2016 and ending with the 30th June, 2017.

2.

As per clause 117 of Finance (No.2) Bill, 2019 any services provided or agreed to be provided by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIM), as per the guidelines of the Central Government, to their students, by way of the following educational programmes, except Executive Development Programme, -

(a) two-year full time Post Graduate Programmes in Management for the Post Graduate Diploma in Management, to which admissions are made on the basis of Common Admission Test (CAT), conducted by Indian Institute of Management;

(b) fellow programme in Management;

(c) five year integrated programme in Management.

are proposed to be exempted from service tax for during the period commencing from July 01, 2003 and ending March 31, 2016.

3.

As per clause 118 of Finance (No.2) Bill, 2019, any consideration paid in the form of upfront amount (called as premium, salami, cost, price, development charges or by any other name) payable in respect of service, by way of granting of long term lease of thirty years, or more of plots for development of infrastructure for financial business, provided or agreed to be provided by the State Government Industrial Development Corporations or Undertakings or by any other entity having 50% or more ownership of Central Government, State Government, Union Territory to the developers in any industrial or financial business area, is proposed to be exempted from Service Tax for the period commencing from October 01, 2013 and ending June 30, 2017.

Current provisions

Proposed provisions

Effect

Section - 41 (Delivery of departure manifest or export manifest or export report)

The person-in-charge of a conveyance carrying export goods or imported goods shall, before departure of the conveyance from a customs station, deliver to the proper officer in the case of a vessel or aircraft, an departure manifest or export manifest by presenting electronically, and in the case of a vehicle, an export report, in such form and manner as may be prescribed and in case, the person-in-charge fails to deliver the departure manifest or export manifest or the export report or any part thereof within such time, and the proper officer is satisfied that there is no sufficient cause for such delay, such person-in-charge shall be liable to pay penalty not exceeding fifty thousand rupees

The person-in-charge of a conveyance carrying export goods or imported goods or any other person as may be specified by the Central Government, by notification, shall, before departure of the conveyance from a customs station, deliver to the proper officer in the case of a vessel or aircraft, a departure manifest or an export manifest by presenting electronically, and in the case of a vehicle, an export report, in such form and manner as may be prescribed and in case, such person-in-charge or other person fails to deliver the departure manifest or export manifest or the export report or any part thereof within such time, and the proper officer is satisfied that there is no sufficient cause for such delay, such person-in-charge or other person shall be liable to pay penalty not exceeding fifty thousand rupees'.

Section 41 is being amended so as to provide a facility, that the departure manifest can also be furnished to a person notified by the Central Government, in addition to the person-in charge of the conveyance.

Chapter XIIB - 'Verification of Identity and Compliance'

This chapter has been newly inserted:

99B. (1) The proper officer, authorised in this behalf by the Principal Commissioner of Customs or the Commissioner of Customs, as the case may be, may, for the purposes of ascertaining compliance of the provisions of this Act or any other law for the time being in force, require a person, whose verification he considers necessary for protecting the interest of revenue or for preventing smuggling, to do all or any of the following, namely:-

(a) undergo authentication, or furnish proof of possession of Aadhaar number, in such manner and within such time as may be prescribed;

(b) submit such other document or information, in such manner and within such time as may be prescribed:

Provided that where such person has not been assigned the Aadhaar number, or where so

assigned, but authentication of such person has failed due to technical reasons or for reasons beyond his control, then, he shall be provided an opportunity to furnish such other alternative and viable means of identification in such form and manner and within such time as may be prescribed.

(2) The provisions of sub-section (1) shall not apply to such person or class of persons as may be prescribed.

(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other provisions of this Act, where the Principal Commissioner of Customs or the Commissioner of Customs comes to the conclusion, based on reasons to be recorded in writing, that the person referred to in sub-section (1) has––

i. failed to comply with the requirements of the said sub-section or submitted incorrect documents or information under the said sub-section, he may, by order, suspend––

a. clearance of imported goods or export goods;
b. sanction of refund;
c. sanction of drawback;
d. exemption from duty;
e. licence or registration granted under this Act; or
f. any benefit, monetary or otherwise, arising out of import or export,

relating to such person, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed;

ii. failed authentication as required under the said sub-section, he may, by order, direct that such person shall not have the benefit of any of the items specified in sub-clauses (a) to (f) of clause (i).

(4) The order of suspension under sub-section (3) shall remain in force until the person concerned complies with the requirements of sub-section (1) or furnishes correct document or information thereunder.

Explanation- For the purposes of this section, the expression 'Aadhaar number' shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in clause (a) of section 2 of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016.'.

Section 103 - Power to screen or X-ray bodies of suspected persons for detecting secreted goods

(1) Where the proper officer has reason to believe that any person referred to in sub-section (2) of section 100 has any goods liable to confiscation secreted inside his body, he may detain such person and produce him without unnecessary delay before the nearest magistrate.

(1) Where the proper officer has reason to believe that any person referred to in sub-section (2) of section 100 has any goods liable to confiscation secreted inside his body, he may detain such person and produce him without unnecessary delay before the nearest magistrate shall,–

(a) with the prior approval of the Deputy Commissioner of Customs or Assistant Commissioner of Customs, as soon as practicable, screen or scan such person using such equipment as may be available at the customs station, but without prejudice to any of the rights available to such person under any other law for the time being in force, including his consent for such screening or scanning, and forward a report of such screening or scanning to the nearest magistrate if such goods appear to be secreted inside his body; or

(b) produce him without unnecessary delay before the nearest magistrate.';

Section 103(1) is being amended so as to substitute sub-section (1) in order to enable the proper officer to scan or screen, with the prior approval of Deputy Commissioner of Customs or Assistant Commissioner of Customs, any person referred to in sub-section (2) of section 100 who has any goods liable to confiscation secreted inside his body. The proper officer can directly furnish the report of the said screening or scanning to the nearest magistrate if such goods are found secreted inside the body of the said person.

(6) Where on receipt of a report from a radiologist under sub-section (5) or otherwise, the magistrate is satisfied that any person has any goods liable to confiscation secreted inside his body, he may direct that suitable action for bringing out such goods be taken on the advice and under the supervision of a registered medical practitioner and such person shall be bound to comply with such direction.

Where on receipt of a report from the proper officer under clause (a) of sub-section (1) or from a radiologist under sub-section (5) or otherwise, the magistrate is satisfied that any person has any goods liable to confiscation secreted inside his body, he may direct that suitable action for bringing out such goods be taken on the advice and under the supervision of a registered medical practitioner and such person shall be bound to comply with such direction.

Section 103(6) is being amended so as to enable the magistrate to take action upon the report of scanning or screening by the proper officer under sub-section (6).

Section 104 - Power to arrest

(1) If an officer of Customs empowered in this behalf by general or special order of the Principal Commissioner of Customs or 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

(1) If an officer of Customs empowered in this behalf by general or special order of the Principal Commissioner of Customs or 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

Section 104(1) is being amended so as to empower an officer of customs to arrest a person who has committed an offence outside India or Indian Customs waters.

(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), any offence relating to-

(a) Prohibited goods; or

(b) evasion or attempted evasion of duty exceeding fifty lakh rupees, shall be cognizable.

(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), any offence relating to-

(a) Prohibited goods; or

(b) evasion or attempted evasion of duty exceeding fifty lakh 'rupees, or'

(c) fraudulently availing of or attempting to avail drawback or any exemption from duty provided under this Act, where the amount of drawback or exemption from duty exceeds fifty lakh rupees; or

(d) fraudulently obtaining an instrument for the purposes of this Act or the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992, and such instrument is utilised under this Act, where duty relatable to such utilisation of instrument exceeds fifty lakh rupees,'
shall be cognizable.

Sec 104(4) has been amended so as to insert two new clauses (c) and (d) in sub-section (4) so as to specify two particular offences which shall be cognizable.

(6) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), an offence punishable under section 135 relating to-

(a) evasion or attempted evasion of duty exceeding fifty lakh rupees; or

(b) prohibited goods notified under section 11 which are also notified under sub-clause (C) of clause (i) of sub-section (1) of section 135; or

(c) import or export of any goods which have not been declared in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the market price of which exceeds one crore rupees; or

(d) fraudulently availing of or attempt to avail of drawback or any exemption from duty provided under this Act, if the amount of drawback or exemption from duty exceeds fifty lakh rupees, shall be non-bailable.

(6) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), an offence punishable under section 135 relating to-

(a) evasion or attempted evasion of duty exceeding fifty lakh rupees; or

(b) prohibited goods notified under section 11 which are also notified under sub-clause (C) of clause (i) of sub-section (1) of section 135; or

(c) import or export of any goods which have not been declared in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the market price of which exceeds one crore rupees; or

(d) fraudulently availing of or attempt to avail of drawback or any exemption from duty provided under this Act, if the amount of drawback or exemption from duty exceeds fifty lakh 'rupees or', shall be non-bailable.

(e) fraudulently obtaining an instrument for the purposes of this Act or the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992, and such instrument is utilised under this Act, where duty relatable to such utilisation of instrument exceeds fifty lakh rupees,';

Section 104(6) is being amended so as to insert a new clause (e) in sub-section (6) so as to specify a particular offence which shall be non-bailable.

(7) Save as otherwise provided in sub-section (6), all other offences under this Act shall be bailable.

(7) Save as otherwise provided in sub-section (6), all other offences under this Act shall be bailable.

‘Explanation - For the purposes of this section, the expression 'instrument' shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in Explanation 1 to section 28AAA.'

Section 104(7) is being amended so as to insert an Explanation so as to define the term instrument.

Section 110 - Seizure of goods, documents and things

(1) If the proper officer has reason to believe that any goods are liable to confiscation under this Act, he may seize such goods:

Provided that where it is not practicable to seize any such goods, the proper officer may serve on the owner of the goods an order that he shall not remove, part with, or otherwise deal with the goods except with the previous permission of such officer.

(1) If the proper officer has reason to believe that any goods are liable to confiscation under this Act, he may seize such goods:

Provided that where it is not practicable to seize any such goods, the proper officer may serve on the owner of the goods an order that he shall not remove, part with, or otherwise deal with the goods except with the previous permission of such officer.

'Provided that where it is not practicable to remove, transport, store or take physical possession of the seized goods for any reason, the proper officer may give custody of the seized goods to the owner of the goods or the beneficial owner or any person holding himself out to be the importer, or any other person from whose custody such goods have been seized, on execution of an undertaking by such person that he shall not remove, part with, or otherwise deal with the goods except with the previous permission of such officer:

Provided further that where it is not practicable to seize any such goods, the proper officer may serve an order on the owner of the goods or the beneficial owner or any person holding himself out to be importer, or any other person from whose custody such goods have been found, directing that such person shall not remove, part with, or otherwise deal with such goods except with the previous permission of such officer.';

Section 110(1) is being amended so as to substitute the existing proviso in sub-section (1) with two provisos so as to specify the conditions under which the custody of seized goods could be given to certain person. The amendment also seeks to specify the conditions, under which the custody of such goods, where it is not practicable to seize such goods, could be given to certain persons.

......

(5) Where the proper officer, during any proceedings under the Act, is of the opinion that for the purposes of protecting the interest of revenue or preventing smuggling, it is necessary so to do, he may, with the approval of the Principal Commissioner of Customs or Commissioner of Customs, by order in writing, provisionally attach any bank account for a period not exceeding six months:

Provided that the Principal Commissioner of Customs or Commissioner of Customs may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, extend such period to a further period not exceeding six months and inform such extension of time to the person whose bank account is

provisionally attached, before the expiry of the period so specified.'.

Section 110 is being amended so as to insert a new sub-section (5) so as to empower the proper officer to provisionally attach any bank account for safeguarding the government revenue and prevention of smuggling, for a period not exceeding six months. It is also being provided that a Principal Commissioner of Customs or Commissioner of Customs may further extend the period of attachment up to six months.

Section 110A - Provisional release of goods, documents and things seized 'or bank account provisionally attached' pending adjudication

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 authority, be released to the owner on taking a bond from him in the proper form with such security and conditions as the adjudicating authority may require.

Provisional release of goods, documents and things seized or bank account provisionally attached pending adjudication

Any goods, documents or things seized or bank account provisionally attached under section 110, may, pending the order of the adjudicating authority, be released to the owner or the bank account holder on taking a bond from him in the proper form with such security and conditions as the adjudicating authority may require.

Section 110A is being amended so as to empower an adjudicating authority to release bank account provisionally attached under section 110 to the account holder on fulfilment of certain conditions.

Insertion of new Section 114AB - Penalty for obtaining instrument by fraud, etc.

......

114AB. Where any person has obtained any instrument by fraud, collusion, willful misstatement or suppression of facts and such instrument has been utilized by such person or any other person for discharging duty, the person to whom the instrument was issued shall be liable for penalty not exceeding the face value of such instrument.

Explanation.–- For the purposes of this section, the expression 'instrument' shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in the Explanation 1 to section 28AAA.'.

A new section 114AB is being inserted so as to provide that any person who has obtained any instrument by fraud, collusion, wilful misstatement or suppression of facts and such instrument has been utilized by such person or any other person for discharging duty, such person to whom the instrument was issued shall be liable for penalty not exceeding the face value of such instrument. An Explanation to define the term instrument is also being inserted.

Section 117 - Penalties for contravention, etc., not expressly mentioned

Any person who contravenes any provision of this Act or abets any such contravention or who fails to comply with any provision of this Act with which it was his duty to comply, where no express penalty is elsewhere provided for such contravention or failure, shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding one lakh rupees

Any person who contravenes any provision of this Act or abets any such contravention or who fails to comply with any provision of this Act with which it was his duty to comply, where no express penalty is elsewhere provided for such contravention or failure, shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding one lakh rupees four lakh rupees

Section 117 is being amended so as to increase the maximum limit of penalty from one lakh rupees to four lakh rupees

Section 125 - Option to pay fine in lieu of confiscation

First proviso to section 125(1)

Provided that where the proceedings are deemed to be concluded under the proviso to sub-section (2) of section 28 or under clause (i) of sub-section (6) of that section in respect of the goods which are not prohibited or restricted, the provisions of this section shall not apply

Provided that where the proceedings are deemed to be concluded under the proviso to sub-section (2) of section 28 or under clause (i) of sub-section (6) of that section in respect of the goods which are not prohibited or restricted, the provisions of this section shall not apply no such fine shall be imposed

First proviso to section 125 is being amended so as to provide that in respect of cases of covered under deemed closure proceedings under section 28, no fine in lieu of confiscation shall be imposed on the infringing goods.

Section 135 - Evasion of duty or prohibitions

(1) Without prejudice to any action that may be taken under this Act, if any person-

(a) is in relation to any goods in any way knowingly concerned in misdeclaration of value or in any fraudulent evasion or attempt at evasion of any duty chargeable thereon or of any prohibition for the time being imposed under this Act or any other law for the time being in force with respect to such goods; or

(b) acquires possession of or is in any way concerned in carrying, removing, depositing, harbouring, keeping, concealing, selling or purchasing or in any other manner dealing with any goods which he knows or has reason to believe are liable to confiscation under section 111 or section 113, as the case may be; or

(c) attempts to export any goods which he knows or has reason to believe are liable to confiscation under section 113; or

(d) fraudulently avails of or attempts to avail of drawback or any exemption from duty provided under this Act in connection with export of goods, he shall be punishable, -

(i) in the case of an offence relating to,-

(A) any goods the market price of which exceeds one crore of rupees; or

(B) the evasion or attempted evasion of duty exceeding 1[fifty lakh] of rupees; or

(C) such categories of prohibited goods as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify; or

(D) fraudulently availing of or attempting to avail of drawback or any exemption from duty referred to in clause (d), if the amount of drawback or exemption from duty exceeds fifty lakh of rupees,

with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years and with fine:

(1) Without prejudice to any action that may be taken under this Act, if any person-

(a) is in relation to any goods in any way knowingly concerned in misdeclaration of value or in any fraudulent evasion or attempt at evasion of any duty chargeable thereon or of any prohibition for the time being imposed under this Act or any other law for the time being in force with respect to such goods; or

(b) acquires possession of or is in any way concerned in carrying, removing, depositing, harbouring, keeping, concealing, selling or purchasing or in any other manner dealing with any goods which he knows or has reason to believe are liable to confiscation under section 111 or section 113, as the case may be; or

(c) attempts to export any goods which he knows or has reason to believe are liable to confiscation under section 113; or

(d) fraudulently avails of or attempts to avail of drawback or any exemption from duty provided under this Act in connection with export of goods, or

'(e) obtains an instrument from any authority by fraud, collusion, wilful misstatement or suppression of facts and such instrument has been utilised by such person or any other person,'

he shall be punishable, -

(i) in the case of an offence relating to,-

(A) any goods the market price of which exceeds one crore of rupees; or

(B) the evasion or attempted evasion of duty exceeding 1[fifty lakh] of rupees; or

(C) such categories of prohibited goods as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify; or

(D) fraudulently availing of or attempting to avail of drawback or any exemption from duty referred to in clause (d), if the amount of drawback or exemption from duty exceeds fifty lakh of rupees, or

'(E) obtaining an instrument from any authority by fraud, collusion, wilful misstatement or suppression of facts and such instrument has been utilised by any person, where the duty relatable to utilisation of the instrument exceeds fifty lakh rupees,'.

with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years and with fine:

Sub-section (1) of section 135 is being amended so as to-

(a) to insert a new clause (e) therein to make obtaining of an instrument from any authority by fraud, collusion, wilful misstatement or suppression of facts, where such instrument has been utilized by any person a punishable offence.

(b) insert a new sub-item (E) under item (i) to make obtaining an instrument from any authority by fraud, collusion, wilful misstatement or suppression of facts, where such instrument has been utilized by any person a punishable offence if the duty relatable to utilization of the instrument exceeds fifty lakhs of rupees.

......

Explanation- For the purposes of this section, the expression 'instrument' shall have the same

meaning as assigned to it in the Explanation 1 to section 28AAA.'

Sub-section (3) of section 135 is being amended so as to insert an Explanation to define the term instrument.

Section 149 - Amendment of documents

Save as otherwise provided in sections 30 and 41, the proper officer may, in his discretion, authorize any document, after it has been presented in the custom house to be amended:

Provided that no amendment of a bill of entry or a shipping bill or bill of export shall be so authorized to be amended after the imported goods have been cleared for home consumption or deposited in a warehouse, or the export goods have been exported, except on the basis of documentary evidence which was in existence at the time the goods were cleared, deposited or exported, as the case may be.

Save as otherwise provided in sections 30 and 41, the proper officer may, in his discretion, authorize any document, after it has been presented in the custom house to be amended, in such form and manner, within such time, subject to such restrictions and conditions, as may be prescribed:

Provided that no amendment of a bill of entry or a shipping bill or bill of export shall be so authorized to be amended after the imported goods have been cleared for home consumption or deposited in a warehouse, or the export goods have been exported, except on the basis of documentary evidence which was in existence at the time the goods were cleared, deposited or exported, as the case may be.

Section 149 is being amended so as to empower Board to make regulations specifying time, form, manner, restrictions and conditions for amendment of any document.

Section 157 - General power to make regulations

...

(ka) the manner of authentication and the time limit for such authentication, the document or information to be furnished and the manner of submitting such document or information and the time limit for such submission, the form and the manner of furnishing alternative means of identification and the time limit for furnishing such identification, person or class of persons to be exempted and conditions subject to which suspension may be made, under Chapter XIIB;';

'(n) the form and manner, the time limit and the restrictions and conditions for amendment of any document under section 149.'.

Section 157 is being amended so as to empower the Board to make regulations for purposes of sections 99B and 149 respectively.

Section 158 - Provisions with respect to rules and regulations

2(ii) that any person who contravenes any provision of a rule or regulation or abets such contravention or who fails to comply with any provision of a rule or regulation with which it was his duty to comply, shall be liable to a penalty which may extend to fifty thousand rupees

2(ii) that any person who contravenes any provision of a rule or regulation or abets such contravention or who fails to comply with any provision of a rule or regulation with which it was his duty to comply, shall be liable to a penalty which may extend to fifty thousand rupees two lakh rupees

Sub-section (2) of section 158 is being amended so as to increase the maximum limit of penalty for violation of any provision of rules or regulations from fifty thousand rupees to two

lakh rupees.

Service Tax: Amendments carried out through the Finance (No. 2) Bill, 2019 come into effect on the date of its enactment, unless otherwise specified: -

1.

As per clause 116 of Finance (No.2) Bill, 2019, any services provided or agreed to be provided by the State Government by way of grant of liquor licence, against consideration in the form of licence fee or application fee or by whatever name it is called, are proposed to be exempted from service tax for during the period commencing from 1st April, 2016 and ending with the 30th June, 2017.

2.

As per clause 117 of Finance (No.2) Bill, 2019 any services provided or agreed to be provided by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIM), as per the guidelines of the Central Government, to their students, by way of the following educational programmes, except Executive Development Programme, -

(a) two-year full time Post Graduate Programmes in Management for the Post Graduate Diploma in Management, to which admissions are made on the basis of Common Admission Test (CAT), conducted by Indian Institute of Management;

(b) fellow programme in Management;

(c) five year integrated programme in Management.

are proposed to be exempted from service tax for during the period commencing from July 01, 2003 and ending March 31, 2016.

3.

As per clause 118 of Finance (No.2) Bill, 2019, any consideration paid in the form of upfront amount (called as premium, salami, cost, price, development charges or by any other name) payable in respect of service, by way of granting of long term lease of thirty years, or more of plots for development of infrastructure for financial business, provided or agreed to be provided by the State Government Industrial Development Corporations or Undertakings or by any other entity having 50% or more ownership of Central Government, State Government, Union Territory to the developers in any industrial or financial business area, is proposed to be exempted from Service Tax for the period commencing from October 01, 2013 and ending June 30, 2017.