In case of inter-unit 'stock transfer' of intermediate goods, doctrine of unjust enrichment would not apply

Dear Professional Colleague,

In case of inter-unit 'stock transfer' of intermediate goods, doctrine of unjust enrichment would not apply

We are sharing with you an important judgment of Hon’ble CESTAT, New Delhi, in the case of Bhansali Engg. Polymers Ltd. Vs. Commissioner of Central Excise & Service Tax, Bhopal [(2015) 53 taxmann.com 264 (New Delhi - CESTAT)] on the following issue:

Issue:

Whether the ‘Doctrine of Unjust Enrichment’ can be applied in of inter-unit 'stock transfer' of intermediate goods?

Facts & background:

Bhansali Engg. Polymers Ltd. (“the Appellant”) manufactured Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Polymers (“Final Product”) at its two unit located at Satnoor, Madhya Pradesh (“Satnoor unit”) and Abu Road, Rajasthan (“Abu Road unit”). In course of manufacture of Final Product, two intermediate products namely HRG Powder and E-SAN Powder (“Intermediate Products”) arose which were captively used.

During the month of November 2011, there was some break down in Abu Road unit, as a result of which Intermediate Products could not be manufactured there. Therefore, during November 2011, Abu Road unit received Intermediate Products from Satnoor Unit on stock transfer basis on payment of Excise duty under invoices. This transaction was assessed provisionally as the assessable value was to be determined in terms of Rule 8 of the Central Excise Valuation Rules, 2000 on the basis of the cost of production and it was not possible to determine the cost of production exactly at that time.

Later, in the final assessment it was ascertained that the duty finally assessed was less than the duty paid on provisional basis, therefore the Appellant filed six refund claims which were allowed by the Deputy Commissioner with the finding that unjust enrichment was not involved.

Being aggrieved the Revenue preferred an appeal before the Hon’ble Commissioner (Appeals) wherein the refund claims were rejected. Aggrieved by the order of the Commissioner (Appeals), the Appellant preferred an appeal before the Hon’ble CESTAT, Delhi.

Held:

The Hon’ble CESTAT, Delhi after observing that the Abu Road unit had reversed the Cenvat credit taken to the extent of refund filed, held that although Satnoor unit had cleared Intermediate Products on payment of Excise duty, wherein the price of Intermediate Products and the duty had been separately mentioned in invoices, but such clearances were on stock transfer basis and not on sale. When the clearances were not on sale but were purely on stock transfer basis, there is no question of Satnoor unit having recovered the incidence of duty from Abu Road unit and, as such, the bar of unjust enrichment would not apply.

It was further held that it is neither the Department’s claim nor any evidence produced to show that during November 2011, the price charged by Abu Road unit for Final Product was higher. Hence, the doctrine of unjust enrichment is not applicable in the instant case.

Hope the information will assist you in your Professional endeavors. In case of any query/ information, please do not hesitate to write back to us.

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