SECTION 28E. : Advance rulings

In this Chapter, unless the context otherwise requires, -

(a) “activity” means import or export and includes any new business of import or export proposedto be undertaken by the existing importer or exporter, as the case may be;

(ABOVE CHANGES VIDE THE FINANCE BILL, 2013)

[OLD - (a) "activity" means import or export; ]

(b) "advance ruling" means the determination, by the Authority, of a question of law or fact specified in the application regarding the liability to pay duty in relation to an activity which is proposed to be undertaken, by the applicant;

(c)"applicant" means—

(i) (a) a non-resident setting up a joint venture in India in collaboration with a non-resident ora resident; or

(b) a resident setting up a joint venture in India in collaboration with a non-resident; or

(c) a wholly owned subsidiary Indian company, of which the holding company is a foreign company,

who or which, as the case may be, proposes to undertake any business activity in India;

(ii) a joint venture in India; or

(iii) a resident falling within any such class or category of persons, as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify in this behalf,

and which or who, as the case may be, makes application for advance ruling under sub-section(1) of section 28H;

Explanation.—For the purposes of this clause, “joint venture in India” means a contractual arrangement whereby two or more persons undertake an economic activity which is subject to joint control and one or more of the participants or partners or equity holders is a non-resident having substantial interest in such arrangement;

(Explanation has been inserted vide BUDGET 2007-08)

(Clause (c) substituted vide Finance Bill 2005)

[OLD(c) "applicant" means–

(i) a non-resident setting up a joint venture in India in collaboration with a non-resident or a resident; or

(ii) a resident setting up a joint venture in India in collaboration with a non-resident; or

(iii) a wholly owned subsidiary Indian company, of which the holding company is a foreign company,

who proposes to undertake any business activity in India and makes application for advance ruling under sub-section ( 1) of section 28H;]

(Clause (c) substituted vide Finance Bill 2003)

[OLD (c) "applicant" means a non-resident setting up a joint venture in India in collaboration with a non-resident or resident, or a resident setting up a joint venture in India in collaboration with a non-resident, making application;]

(d) "application" means an application made to the Authority under sub-section (1) of section 28H;

(e) "Authority" means the Authorityfor Advance Rulings (Central Excise, Customs and Service Tax) constituted under l" section 28F;

(Clause (e) substituted vide Finance Bill 2005)

(f) "Chairperson" means the Chairperson of the Authority;

(g) "Member" means a Member of the Authority and includes the Chairperson; and

(h) "non-resident", "Indian company" and "foreign company" have the meanings respectively assigned to them in clauses ( 30), ( 26) and ( 23A) of section 2 of the Income-tax Act, 1961.

(Clause (h) substituted vide Finance Bill 2003)

[OLD (h) "non-resident" shall have the meaning assigned to it in clause (30) of section 2 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (43 of 1961).]