Sri. Dharsak. V.P., Saraswathi Metal Industries vs. Na
(AAR (Authority For Advance Ruling), Kerala)
1. Sri. Dharsak.V.P., Saraswathi Metal Industries, Alappuzha, manufacturer of marine propeller, rudder set, stern tube set, propeller shaft and M.S. Shaft for couplings, has preferred an application for Advance Ruling on the rate of tax of the above commodities used in fishing / floating vessels.
2. The applicant has argued that all the above products are used in fishing/floating vessels. Since the products manufactured by the unit are mainly used for the purpose of fishing and other allied activities, the applicant is of the opinion that the rate of tax applicable to the above products is 5% as per entry 247 and 252 of Schedule 1 of the Central Notification 1/17.
3. The applicant was heard in the matter and the contentions raised were examined. On the basis of the facts disclosed in the application and the submissions made at the time of personal hearing, it was decided to admit the application.
4. As per the HSN specified in the application, the rate of tax applicable to the above commodities is 18%. Relevant entries are extracted below: Marine Propellers 8487 10 00 under.
| Marine Propellers | 8487 10 00 |
|
| 371 | 8487 | Machinery parts, not containing electrical connectors, insulators, coils, contacts or other electrical features not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter |
| Rudder set for fishing boats | 7325 | Other cast articles of iron or steel |
| Stern Tube set for fishing boats |
| 7304 |
| 218 | 7304 | Tubes, pipes and hollow profiles, seamless, (other than cast iron) or steel |
| Propeller Shaft |
| 7222 |
| 209 | 7221, 7222 | All bars and rods, of stainless steel |
| M.S.Shaft for Couplings |
| 7214 |
| 204 | 7213 to 7215 | All bars and rods, of iron or non-alloy steel |
5. However, parts of fishing vessels, factory ships and other vessels for processing or preserving fishery products are taxable @ 5% by virtue of entry 252 of 1st schedule of SRO 360/2017. Fishing vessels; factory ships and other vessels comes under the HSN code 8902. The said entries read as under:
| 247 | 8902 | Fishing vessels; factory ships and other vessels for processing or preserving fishery products |
| 252 | Any chapter | Parts of goods of headings 8901, 8902, 8904, 8905, 8906,8907 |
Thus, it is clear that the classification of the commodities under Entry 252 solely depends on the nature of use to which the commodities are put to.
6. In view of the aforesaid position, commodities such as marine propellers, rudder set, stern tube set, propeller shaft and M.S. Shaft for couplings used only for the purposes of fishing / floating vessels would be taxable @ 5%. If the said commodities are used for some other purpose, then the applicable tax rate would be 18%.
7. In the light of the above, we rule as under.
RULING
Commodities such as marine propellers, rudder set, stern tube set, propeller shaft and M.S. Shaft for couplings used as a part of fishing / floating vessels would come under the Entry 252 of Schedule 1 of Notification No. 01/2017 Central Tax (Rate) dated 28.06.2017 and State Notification 360/2017 dated 30.06.2017 and hence taxable @ 5% [SGST-2.5%; CGST – 2.5%].
