Providing service of storage facility and charging rent for Storage of liquid cargo in tanks whether liable to service tax as C & F Agents - regarding.
F.No.137/04/2002 CX.4
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Excise & Customs
24th April, 2002.
37 B Order No.2/1/2002-ST
Subject:- Providing service of storage facility and charging rent
for Storage of liquid cargo in tanks – whether liable to service tax as C&F
Agents, - regarding.
In exercise of the powers conferred under Section 37 B of the Central Excise
Act, 1994 (as made applicable to Service Tax by Section 83 of the Finance
Act,1994), the Central Board of Excise & Customs considers it necessary, for the
purposes of uniformity in connection with classification of services, to issue
the following instructions.
- Doubts have been raised as to whether service of storage facility and
charging rent for storage of liquid cargo in tanks, provided by certain
agencies, can be considered as a service provided by ‘clearing and
forwarding agents’ or not.
- This matter was raised by four such agencies before the Mumbai High
Court in Writ Petition Nos.170/2002, 171/2002, 2962/2001 & 2994/2001. The
petitions were disposed of by Hon’ble Court with directions to the Central
Board of Excise & Customs to pass appropriate speaking clarification and/or,
orders after hearing the petitioners.
- The agencies were accordingly heard in the matter on 19th March, 2002
and on 3rd April.
- Views of DGST and concerned Commissioners of Central Excise have also
been obtained.
- It is observed that the above agencies are engaged in the activity of
providing storage (tanks) facility for liquid cargo which has been imported
or is intended for export. They charge rent for storage of liquid cargo
deposited with them.
- It is observed that, as per Section 65 of Finance Act, 1994 ‘Clearing &
Forwarding Agent’ means "any person who is engaged in providing any service,
either directly or indirectly connected with the clearing and forwarding
operations in any manner to any other persons and includes a consignment
Agent". Further, ‘taxable service’ with respect to C&F Agents means, any
service provided to a client by a clearing and forwarding agent in relation
to clearing and forwarding operations, in any manner.
- The issue is whether the activity/service of providing storage facility
and charging rent, for storage of liquid cargo in tanks, can fall under the
category of ‘Clearing and Forwarding’ operations as defined under Section 65
of Finance Act, 1994.
- The main point raised by the agencies is that they are not at all
rendering any clearing and forwarding services and hence they do not come
under the category of clearing and forwarding agents. They simply issue
Invoices/Bills to their customers towards storage charges only and for no
other charges.
- The matter has been examined. Normally, a C&F agent receives goods from
the factories or premises of the Principal or his agents, stores these
goods, despatches these goods as per orders received from the Principal or
owner, arranges transport, etc. for the purpose and prepares invoices on
behalf of the Principal. For this service, the C&F agents receives
commissions on the basis of agreed terms. Therefore, an essential
characteristic of any services, to fall in the category of C&F agent, is
that the relationship between the service provider and receiver should be in
the nature of principal(owner) and agent. The C&F agent carries out all
activities in respect of goods right from stage of their clearances from the
premises of the principal to its storage and delivery to the customers.
- However, in the cases under consideration, the agencies are providing
only storage facility for liquid cargo which has been imported or is
intended for export. They charge rent for storage of liquid cargo deposited
with them. They are not connected with the vessel bringing the goods and are
not concerned with customs formalities. They issue invoices to customers
towards storage charges and for no other charges. These agencies are not
receiving any commission from the principal but only rental for storage
facility, whereas a C&F agent’s remuneration is in the form of commission.
The transactions between the parties are not transactions between principal
and an agent but between principal and principal. These agencies are neither
receiving any despatch orders from the owners of the goods, nor are they
arranging for the despatch of goods as per their directions by engaging
transport, as is done normally by C&F agents. They are also not carrying out
any service directly or indirectly in connection with clearing and
forwarding operations. Therefore, services rendered by such agencies, in
relation to storage of cargo, can not be considered to be in the nature of
‘clearing and forwarding’ agent and such agencies cannot be considered as
"clearing and forwarding agents".
- However, under the Finance Bill, 2002 "storage and warehousing
services for goods including liquids and gases" is proposed to be made to
liable to service tax. Section 65 (87) of the proposed amended Finance Act,
1994, defines "storage and warehousing" to include storage and warehousing
services for goods including liquids and gases but does not include any
service provided for storage of agricultural produce or any service provided
by cold storage. Therefore, as and when these provisions of the Finance Bill
come into effect the above types of cases shall be liable to service tax
under the head "storage and warehousing".
- Suitable Trade notice may be issued for information of trade and field
formations.
- The receipt of this order may kindly be acknowledged.
- Hindi version will follow.
A.K.Prasad
Director (CX.4)
Tel: 3012812
Fax: 3792965