KARACHI: The Directorate General of Customs Valuation has revised the customs values of Cameras through Valuation Ruling No: 1253/2017 under Section 25A of the Customs Act-1969.
The customs values of cameras were determined vide Valuation Ruling No.1096/2017 dated 20.03.2017. Being aggrieved with values determined in the aforementioned valuation ruling, the importers filed a revision petition with the Director General Customs Valuation under Section 25-D of the Customs Act-1969 and took the plea that prices mentioned there in are very high and not feasible for them to import cameras legally and run the business on these values in the market.
The Director General (Valuation) Karachi vide Order-in-Revision No: 384/2017 dated 19.09.2017 remanded back the case to re-determine customs values of cameras after a comprehensive exercise on various brands of cameras. Therefore an exercise was conducted to determine the customs values of cameras under Section 25A Customs Act-1969.
Stakeholder’s participation in determination of Customs Values: The stakeholders’ meeting was scheduled on 18.10.2017. All participants were requested to submit the following documents:
The invoices of imports during the last three months showed factual values. Websites, names and E-mail addresses of known foreign manufacturers of the item in question through which the actual current value can be ascertained. iii. Copies of Contracts made/LCs opened during the last three months showing the value of item in question. Copies of Sales Tax Invoices issued during last three months supported contention of the importers.
The meeting was attended by stakeholders and officials from field formations. During the meeting, the importers opined that there are many types of cameras i.e. Instant Cameras, Analogue Cameras and Still Cameras and the values of these types of cameras vary due to size of lenses attached to them which are also of different makes and models. The major imports are of household cameras which are commonly imported and used by public. The values as enumerated in the impugned valuation ruling are very high compared to the international prices of these cameras. Therefore the prices may be rationalized/reduced so that they can compete and trade through legal channels.
