TAX ADVISOR & CONSULTANT AT G.S.T SUVIDH
1372 Points
Joined June 2012
Yes, It is to be treated as Import of goods based on Instructions given in G.S.T.R-1 at www.gst.gov.in (Based on analysis of different instructions given) and reply to tweets given by C.B.I.C. Therefore, you have to show customs duty paid on Import of goods from S.E.Z to D.T.A under first column of Eligible I.T.C
But, there exists conflict of provisions under G.S.T act with regard to such supply. As per section 2(10) of I.G.S.T Act, Import of goods means - ‘‘import of goods” with its grammatical variations and cognate expressions, means bringing goods into India from a place outside India and definition of India u/s.2(56) of C.G.S.T Act - “India” means the territory of India as referred to in article 1 of the Constitution, its territorial waters, seabed and sub-soil underlying such waters, continental shelf, exclusive economic zone or any other maritime zone as referred to in the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and other Maritime Zones Act, 1976, and the air space above its territory and territorial waters;. Combined reading of both sections, it is very clear than India includes S.E.Z (Not excluded specifically) and consequently, Purchase of goods from S.E.Z is not Import under G.S.T Act (Even though, it is to be treated as Import for customs purposes)
Therefore, Procedural aspects (Filing of G.S.T Returns) claim such transaction as Import but legal provisions does not conform the same. Hence, there exists a scope for litigation in future and as of now Claim as ITC on imports