COLLECTOR OF CUSTOMS vs M/S. MODI RUBBER LD.

The Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Customs, Excise and Gold (Control) Appellate Tribunal, which granted exemption from customs duty on styrene butadiene latex under Notification No. 82/86. The Court clarified that clause 1A of the notification, which excludes styrene butadiene rubber and oil extended styrene butadiene rubber, does not apply to latex. The Court emphasized that the principal clause distinguishes between rubber and latex, thus confirming the Tribunal's interpretation that styrene butadiene latex is entitled to the exemption under Section 25 of the Customs Act, 1962.