Segregation of impurities from honey grade brass scrap i.e. iron, steel, rubber, plastic, dust etc. CBEC Clarification Circular 1029/17/2016-CX dt. 10052016

Segregation of impurities from honey grade brass scrap i.e. iron, steel, rubber, plastic, dust etc. CBEC Clarification Circular 1029/17/2016-CX dt. 10052016

Circular No.1029/17/2016-CX

F. No. 267/33/2014-CX.8
Government  of lndia
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Excise and Customs

New Delhi, dated the 10th May, 2016

To
The Principal  Chief Commissioners/ Chief Commissioners/Principal  Commissioners  of Central Excise (All)
The Principal Chief Commissioners/ Chief Commissioners/ Principal Commissioners of Central Excise & Service Tax (All)
Webmaster

Sub:  Clarification on segregation of impurities viz. iron, steel, rubber, plastic, dust etc. from honey grade brass scrap-reg.

Madam/ Sir,

Representations have been received from the members of the trade involved in manufacture of brass products, regarding applicability of provisions relating to clearance of segregated foreign materials as “inputs as such” from imported honey grade brass scrap. The said imported scrap mainly contains brass metal but it also contains impurities like iron, steel, rubber, plastic, dust etc. which is integrally attached to the main material / brass scrap. Before feeding resultant brass scrap in the furnace during the manufacturing process, the said foreign materials (impurities) attached to the honey grade brass scrap is segregated manually and then such sorted material is issued for further process like breaking , cutting etc. wherein big pieces of scrap are converted into small pieces so that the same can be fed into the furnace. Ultimately the brass scrap is fed into furnace where brass melts but materials like steel, iron etc. do not as they have higher melting point. Molten brass is poured for manufacturing whereas foundry waste of iron, steel, slag is cleared and sold separately . Such foundry waste is quite clearly process waste.

2. However, there is another category of waste foreign materials segregated initially and not fed in furnace. The issue is when such segregated foreign material is cleared by the brass manufacturers , can it be treated as clearance of “inputs as such” and accordingly are the manufacturers required to pay an amount equal to the credit availed in respect of such inputs in terms of Rule 3(5) of CENVAT Credit Rules, 2004 .

3. The issue has been Segregation from honey grade brass scrap in order to weed out other foreign material s before the process of melting in the furnace is an essential process relating to manufacture of brass articles. The  foreign  materials , emerging during the process of segregation have to be treated as process waste and  cannot  be  treated  like  removal  of inputs as such. The segregated foreign material has an altogether different character and use vis-a-vis brass scrap. Value per unit  and  classification  of the  segregated  foreign  material  is also different from that of imported brass  scrap. Accordingly , clearance  of foreign  material such as iron, steel, rubber, plastic , dust etc. cannot be treated as clearance of inputs as such. It may be noted that circular no. 62/2001-Cus dated 12.11.2001 does not apply to the issue at hand  as the facts at hand are different.

4. In view of above, it is clarified that the clearance of segregated foreign materials namely iron, steel, rubber, plastic , dust from honey grade bra ss scrap before feeding in the furnace cannot be treated as removal of “inputs as such ” as envisaged under Rule 3 (5) of CENVAT Credit Rules, 2004. The segregated foreign material in such situation, as has been explained above, shall be cleared on payment of Central Excise duty on transaction value as per its appropriate classification and rate of duty determined on merits.

5. Difficulty faced, if any, in implementing the circular should be brought to the notice of the Board. Hindi version will follow.

(ROHAN)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India