Dr. Ar. Lakshmanan, J.— This civil appeal is directed against the judgment and Final Order No. 243 of 1999-D in Appeal No. E/2546 of 1993-D dated 11-3-1999 passed by the Customs, Excise and Gold (Control) Appellate Tribunal (for short “CEGAT”) at New Delhi.
2. The respondent is the manufacturer of Dailymix. Four show-cause notices were issued alleging that they had misclassified their products under CSH 2302.00 and cleared at nil rate of duty. The show-cause notices added that these products are intermixture of vitamins and, therefore, correctly classifiable under CSH 2936.00 and as such chargeable to duty at the rate of 15% advance (BED) + 5% BED (SED).
3. The Assistant Commissioner in his order dated 24-1-1991 held that the products Dailymix and Briplex were correctly classifiable under Chapter Sub-Heading 2302.00 He, however, confirmed the demand of Rs 2,04,129.18. In respect of “recovit” with which we are concerned in this appeal, he held that it is classifiable under Chapter Sub-Heading 2936.00 as animal feed supplement (sic intermixture of vitamins). The conclusion of the Assistant Commissioner was arrived at on the basis of the Deputy Chief Chemist's report which stated that Recovit may be considered as an organic chemical (intermixture of vitamins) marked as Annexure P-2. The assessee filed an appeal before the Commissioner (Appeals) who, by his order dated 27-7-1993, set aside the order of the Assistant Commissioner and held that Recovit was correctly classifiable under Chapter Sub-Heading 2302.00 as animal feed. The Revenue filed an appeal against the order of the Commissioner (Appeals) which has been decided by CEGAT vide its order dated 11-3-1999. The Tribunal has dismissed the appeal of the Department relying upon the decision of a larger Bench of the Tribunal in the case of Tetragon Chemie (P) Ltd. v. CCE (1999) 82 ECR 98 (cegat) dated 13-11-1998. The Tribunal has further held that the contention of the Revenue that Recovit is merely a mixture of vitamins alone is not borne out on facts. The Tribunal held that such a product, however, if it contains other things such as antioxidants, solvents, stabilisers and used as animal feed will not be classified under Chapter Sub-Heading 2936, but will be correctly classified under Tariff Heading 23.02 Aggrieved by the order of the Tribunal, the Revenue has come up in appeal.
4. As stated earlier, we are concerned in this appeal in regard to the classification of a product known as Recovit. Now the question is whether animal feed (Recovit) is classifiable under Tariff Heading 29.36 as intermixture of vitamins or under Tariff Heading 23.02 as animal feed.
5. We heard Mr R. Venkataramani, learned Senior Counsel for the appellant and Mr Makarand D. Adkar, learned counsel for the respondent.
6. Learned Senior Counsel appearing for the appellant invited our attention to the show-cause notices issued and the orders passed by all the authorities including the Tribunal and submitted that both the Commissioner (Appeals) and CEGAT have totally ignored the Deputy Chief Chemist's report dated 6-12-1990 in respect of Dailymix, Recovit, etc. and that Recovit should be treated as animal feed supplement containing vitamins and minerals. He would further submit that both the Commissioner (Appeals) and CEGAT have erred in placing total reliance on the judgment of Tetragon Chemie (P) Ltd. (1999) 82 ECR 98 (cegat) According to the learned Senior Counsel, the product in that case consists of a mixture of vitamins, minerals and various other ingredients which is not similar to the product “Recovit” as the same consists of only intermixtures of vitamins and, therefore, it is correctly classifiable under Chapter Sub-Heading 2936.00 Before proceeding further in considering the submission made by learned Senior Counsel for the appellant, it is better to reproduce both the entries:
“Heading No.
Sub-Heading No.
Description of goods
Rate of duty
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
23.01
2301.00
Residues and waste from the food industries, including bagasse, other waste of sugar manufacture and oil cakes
12%
23.02
2302.00
Preparations of a kind used in animal feeding, including dog and cat food
Nil”
“XI. Provitamins, Vitamins and Hormones
29.36
2936.00
Provitamins and vitamins, natural or reproduced by synthesis (including natural concentrates), derivatives thereof used primarily as vitamins, and intermixtures of the foregoing, whether or not in any solvent
15%”
7. The assessee has declared these three products in that classification list which had been approved by the Assistant Collector. They are:
(a) Dailymix: …
(b) Recovit: It is a mixture of vitamins but it contains stabilisers and antioxidants also, in addition to solvents.
(c) Briplex: …
8. According to the assessee, the classification list for these products has already been approved by the Assistant Collector and, therefore, the Assistant Collector is not competent to change his own decision. The assessee had claimed the classification of these products under Chapter Sub-Heading 2302 as animal feed supplement and the Department had claimed that the correct classification would be under Chapter Sub-Heading 2936 as organic chemicals. It is stated that the product is used as animal feed only and is meant for consumption by animals. It is not fit for human consumption. It basically consists of mixture of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and stabilisers. The Assistant Collector has wrongly classified the product under Chapter 29 as intermixture of vitamins merely because it consists of solvents, stabilisers and antioxidants. It was further stated that once powder is meant for use as an animal feed supplement, it should be classified under Chapter Sub-Heading 2302. In our view, the products which have mixture of vitamins and minerals with addition of other ingredients and which are used for animal feed and are not fit for human consumption are to be classified as animal feed supplement under Chapter Sub-Heading 2302 and not under Chapter 29.
9. Learned Senior Counsel for the Department sought to place reliance upon the report of the Deputy Chief Chemist which has been annexed. It has come on record that the product Recovit basically consists of mixture of vitamins, solvents, antioxidants and stabilisers. It has also come on record that Recovit is used as animal feed only and is being consumed by animals only. It is a finding of fact recorded by the Commissioner (Appeals) and also by the Tribunal. It may not be out of place to mention that the composition of product was argued before the Tribunal. However, the Department could not contradict or dislodge the findings recorded by the Commissioner (Appeals). Both the Commissioner (Appeals) and the Tribunal examined the facts of the case and decided the matter in favour of the assessee.
10. Our attention was invited to the reply-affidavit filed by the assessee in this appeal. It is seen that Trade Notice No. 34 of 1990 was issued by the Collector of Central Excise and Customs, Pune whereby it was clarified by the Department that the product having vitamins, stabilisers, antioxidants and solvents merits classification under Chapter 29 Heading 29.36 and not under Heading 23.02 of the Schedule to the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985. Apparently based on the above trade notice, a show-cause notice was issued which led to the present appeal. Trade Notice No. 34 of 1990 reads as follows:
“Office of the Collector of Central Excise and Customs, Pune PMC'S Commercial Building, Hirabaug, Tilak Road, Pune 2.
Pune Central Excise and Customs Collectorate
Trade Notice No. 34 of 1990
(1.Ch. 23/90)
Subject: Central excise classification of intermixtures of vitamins used as animal feed supplements whether classifiable under Heading 23.02 or in Chapter 30 or Chapter 29 — regarding.
A doubt has been raised regarding the correct classification of products which consist of only different vitamins in definite proportions and no other ingredients except the solvents or stabilisers or antioxidants. Such products are generally used as animal feed supplements. The doubt raised is whether such products which are mixtures of vitamins are classifiable under Heading 23.02 or as medicaments under Heading 30.03 or an intermixture of vitamins under Heading 29.36
The matter has been examined and it is observed that such animal feed supplements which are just intermixture of vitamins only and that there are no other ingredients except solvents, stabilisers or antioxidants are specifically covered under Heading 29.36 of CET as intermixture of vitamins. Even though they are used as animal feed supplements, they can be classified under Heading 23.02 as preparations of a kind used in animal feeding, because this is a general heading. Intermixtures of vitamins are specified in so many words in Heading 29.36 and accordingly products of the type referred above are correctly classifiable under Heading 29.36
All trade associations and Chambers of Commerce and Industries are requested to bring the contents of this trade notice to the notice of their member constituents.
Hindi version is enclosed.
Attested:sd/-
Superintendent (Tech)(L. Joyaseelan)
Central Excise and Customs, Pune 2Additional Collector
Central Excise and Customs, Pune
F.No V.Ch.23(8)2.TC/90Pune,
30-6-1990.”
11. Trade Notice No. 34 of 1990 seems to have been issued on the basis of Board Circular No. 1 of 1990 dated 1-1-1990. The Central Board of Excise and Customs vide its Circular No. 188/22/96-CX dated 26-3-1996 has clarified that when premix contains in addition to active substances, stabilisers, antioxidants, etc. and if such preparations are of a kind used in animal feeding the same is classifiable under Heading 23.02 The said circular reads as follows:
“Animal feed supplements
Circular No. 188/22/96-CX
Dated 26-3-1996
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Excise and Customs, New Delhi
Subject: Classification of animal feed supplements under Heading 23.02 or 29.36 or Chapter 30 — instructions — regarding.
It has been brought to the notice of the Board that a large number of products with supplements/additives/premixes, etc. are being classified either under Heading 23.02 or Heading 29.36 or under Chapter 30 of the Central Excise Tariff in various Commissionerates.
2. It would be recalled that in its Circular No. 1/90 dated 1-1-1990, issued from F.No 15/20/89-CX 1, the Board had observed that animal feed supplements which are just intermixtures of vitamins only without other ingredients, except solvents, stabilisers or antioxidants, cannot be classified under Heading 23.02 even though they are used as animal feed supplements. The Board had observed that such intermixtures of vitamins are specifically covered under Heading 29.36
3. Trade interests have however represented that animal feed supplements use vitamins, provitamins, amino acids, antibiotics, ‘coccidiostats’, etc. in very small quantities (micro-quantities) and that the feed supplements contain other organic and inorganic feed ingredients as well. They have also represented that such micronutrients do not have any independent identity as pure chemicals, that they cannot be easily separated into individual pure chemicals: nor do they conform to standards laid down for medicaments. As such, it is claimed that animal feed supplements cannot be classified under Chapter 29 or Chapter 30 of the Central Excise Tariff merely because they contain the said micronutrients.
4. The matter has been further examined by the Board in consultation with the Chief Chemist, Central Revenue Chemical Laboratory (CRCL), New Delhi.
5. Heading 23.02 of the Central Excise Tariff i.e ‘preparations of a kind used in animal feeding including dog and cat food’ corresponds to Heading 23.09 ‘preparations of a kind used in animal feeding’ of HSN. As per Explanatory Notes under Heading 23.09 of HSN, the said heading covers complete animal feeds, supplementary animal feeds and preparations for use in making the complete feeds or supplementary feeds. The preparations for use in making complete feeds or supplementary feeds are known in the trade as ‘premixes’. These preparations are compound composition consisting of a number of substances — each type of these substances being present in the ‘premix’ in varying propositions to serve a particular purpose. The Explanatory Notes under Heading 23.09 of HSN (pp. 177-78) further indicate that premixes contain, in addition to the active substances (vitamins, amino acid, antibiotics, coccidiostats, etc.) and stabilisers, antioxidants, etc., certain organic or inorganic nutritive substances known as carriers which help in homogeneous dispersion and mixing of the active substances in the compound feeds to which the preparations referred to in the said Explanatory Notes are added.
6. In this view of the matter, it would appear that preparations containing the active substances (vitamins or provitamins, amino acid, antibiotics, coccidiostats, etc.) along with the said carriers would fall under Heading 23.02 of CET provided such preparations are of a kind used in animal feeding. It may however be noted that Heading 23.098 of HSN excludes products of Chapter 29 and medicaments of Heading 30.03 or 30.04 Hence, while deciding the classification of the products claimed to be animal feed supplements it may be necessary to ensure that the said animal feed supplements are ordinarily commonly known to the trade as products for a specific use in animal feeding.
7. In view of the foregoing discussions, the classification of each product being claimed as animal feed supplements may be decided on merits in the light of the above and in accordance with the Explanatory Notes to Heading 23.09 of HSN read with Chapter Note 1 of Chapter 23 of CET.
8. The Board's Circular No. 1/90 dated 1-1-1990 stands modified to the extent indicated above.
(S.C Bhatia)
F.No 23/1/94-CX 1Under-Secretary to the Government of India”
12. It may be extremely relevant to point out that the Board's Circular No. 1 of 1990 dated 1-1-1990 stands modified accordingly. Similarly, the Deputy Director General of Foreign Trade vide its Policy Circular No. 44(RE-99)/1997-2002 dated 25-11-1999 has reconfirmed that if such premixes are for use exclusively for animal feed as supplements, the same continued to be classified under Heading 23.09 of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975. Policy Circular No. 44 runs as follows:
“Policy Circular No. 44(RE-99)/1997-2002
Dated 25-11-1999
Attention is invited to Policy Circular No. 22(RE-99)/1997-2002 dated 27-7-1999, regarding classification of animal feed supplements.
In this regard it is further clarified that ‘premixes’ containing vitamins or provitamins, amino acids, coccidiostats, etc. for use exclusively in animal feed as supplements continue to be classified under Heading 23.09, as per Explanatory Notes to Harmonised Commodity Description and coding system.
This issues with the approval of DGFT.
(O.P Hisaria)
Deputy Director General of Foreign Trade
F.No 01/89/180/00072.AM99.PC I-A
Dated 25-11-1999
Issued by:
Ministry of Commerce
Directorate General of Foreign Trade
New Delhi.”
13. It may also be relevant to point out that on 27-9-1990, the Central Excise Department has drawn a sample of the product Recovit and the same was sent for chemical analysis to the Deputy Chief Chemist at Mumbai. While drawing the sample, a test memo was prepared by the Inspector under F.No BRII/CL/Abhi/90 dated 27-9-1990. It can be seen from the said test memo that the said product Recovit had in addition to the intermixture of vitamins other ingredients such as antioxidants, solvents and stabilisers and that the product prepared cannot, therefore, be called as only intermixture of vitamins.
14. The said test memo reads as follows:
“Office of the Superintendent of Central Excise,
Bhosari Range II, Bhosari, Pune 411 039
Test Memo
Bhosari,
F.No BRII/CL/Abhi/9027-9-1990
The Deputy Chief Chemist,
Central Excise Laboratory,
Estrella Batteries Compound,
Dharawi Road, Matunga,
Bombay 400 019
Dear Sir,
A sample of Recovit has been sent by hand delivery dated 27-9-1990 for test.
1. Name of the factory and address
Abhi Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd. T36-38, MIDC, Bhosari, Pune 26.
2. Description of sample
Animal feed supplement — Recovit.
3. Identification mark, if any
Batch No. 338-A.
4. Date of drawal and Batch No.
27-9-1990, Batch No. 338-A.
5. No. of containers
4 nos.
6. Quantity
100 ml.
7. The sample is to be tested for
The party has classified this product under Chapter Sub-Heading 2302.00 The classification may please be confirmed.
8. Other information
(i) Chemical nature and percentage of ingredients in the product
As per separate sheet attached.
(ii) Brief outline of manufacturing process
As per separate sheet attached.
(iii) Mode of its application (and use)
Animal feed supplement.
(iv) Any printed literature if available may be sent
Label enclosed.
For Abhi Chemicals and Pharmaceuti-cals Pvt. Ltd. sd/- (authorised signatory)
sd/- Inspector of Central Excise Bhosari Range II, Bhosari Pune 39
Declaration
Four representative samples of Recovit at Abhi Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd. have been drawn by the Inspector of Central Excise, Bhosari Range II, Bhosari, Pune 411 039 and these have been sealed in our presence. One of the sealed samples have been given to us. We are perfectly satisfied with the manner of sampling.
For Abhi Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd.
sd/-
(authorised signatory)
Chemical Nature and Percentage of Ingredients in Recovit as Follows:
S. No.
Name of ingredients
Chemical nature
% in product
1.
Tween — 80 (Polysorbate)
brownish-yellow oily liquid
34.97%
2.
Bulytated hydroxy anisol
crystalline powder
0.02%
3.
Bulytated hydroxy toulene
crystalline powder
0.02%
4.
Vitamin A palmitate
yellow oily substance
2.57%
5.
Vitamin B3
white powder
0.01%
6.
Vitamin B12
red-orange powder
0.0026%
7.
Vitamin E acetate
pale yellow-golden viscous liquid
4.37%
8.
Glycerine
colourless viscous liquid
26.85%
9.
Sodium ascorbate
white crystalline powder
9.62%
10.
Glacial acetic acid
colourless liquid
0.34%
11.
Water
21.23%
Outline of Manufacturing Process
Step 1 Mix Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin D3, BHA and BHT completely in vessel.
Step 2 Warm tween — 80 up to 40 degrees C and add to it Mixture 1 in a thin stream. Stir it well.
Step 3 Add glycerine in a think (sic) stream with stirring in 2.
Step 4 Take 60 1 water (demineralised) add to it sodium ascorbate, dissolve it completely, adjust FH to 6.0 with glacial acetic acid, add this solution to main solution. Stir for 15 minutes and filter. Then add Vitamin B12 (prepare with small quantity of DM water and add to main solution). Product is kept overnight and ready for filling.
For Abhi Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd.
sd/-
(authorised signatory)”
15. The order passed by the larger Bench of CEGAT dated 13-11-1998 (1999) 82 ECR 98 (cegat) was also placed before us. We have gone through the same and we approve the classification laid down by CEGAT in regard to the subject-matter of controversy and the principles laid down therein. In fact, the said order of the larger Bench was challenged before this Court. This Court in CCE v. Tetragon Chemie (P) Ltd. (2002) 10 SCC 331, (2001) 132 ELT 525 (three-Judge Bench) upheld the view taken by the Tribunal that the products in question are animal feed supplements and that the animal feed supplements were rightly included in Tariff Item 23.02 being preparation of a kind used in animal feeding including dog and cat food. The Bench has agreed with the conclusion of the Tribunal that even food supplements like the products of the respondents therein which are used in animal feeding would fall under Heading 23.02 This Court while affirming the decision of the Tribunal dismissed the civil appeals.
16. For the foregoing reasons, we are of the opinion that the contentions in the civil appeal are apparently contrary to the stand taken by the Department in the circulars mentioned supra and we, therefore, have no hesitation in dismissing the appeal as bereft of any merits. However, we say no costs.