KARACHI: The Directorate General of Customs Valuation has revised the customs value of beverages (aerated waters) vide Valuation Ruling No 974/2016 under Section 25-A of the Customs Act, 1969.
The customs values of subject beverages were determined and notified vide Valuation Ruling No.572/2013, dated August 13, 2013. Since prevailing customs value mentioned in the said valuation is more than three years old; therefore, the customs values therein needs to be revised in view of current international price trends. This prompted an exercise to determine the customs value of the goods.
Meetings for the determination of customs values of beverages with stakeholders were held on June 09, 2016 and July 12, 2016 which were duly attended by importers and representatives of clearance collectorate.
Local manufactures of beverages, however, did not appear in the subject meetings. All the stakeholders strongly contended and requested that the said valuation Ruling may be reviewed in the light of prevailing international and local market prices. It was also highlighted that the subject goods are perishable items and therefore have got limited shelf life, consequently, near the expiry dates, these perishable items are sold on sale and discounted prices.
It was further contended by the traders that since the subject goods are mainly being sold on super and general stores; therefore, a lot more expenses (shelf rent, marketing expenses, and refrigeration cost etc.) are contributed at retail level which cannot be managed without adding extra value to the subject goods. The importers contended that all these factors may also be considered in fixing value of subject goods.
The customs values of soft drinks, including Pepsi, Coke, Miranda, Fanta, Sprite, 7up, etc of 150ml of all origin are fixed at $0.14, 300ml at $0.12, 330ml at $0.18 and 355ml fixed at $0.20.
The values of Schweppes Canada Soda of 300ml of all origins are fixed at $0.20, Evervess Club Soda 300ml at $0.18 and other of all origin and weight fixed at $0.76 per liter.
