KARACHI: The Directorate General of Customs Valuation has revised the customs value of branded milk ( Lacnor Almarai, Soya Fresh Milk Etc through Valuation Ruling No 1116/2017 under Section 25A of the Customs Act, 1969.
This Directorate General had earlier conducted an audit of clearance values of subject goods and during the course of perusal of import clearance data, it was observed that imported tetra pack milk (Lacnor, Almarai, Soyafresh milk etc.) were being assessed at lower values compared to the international selling prices and local market prices.
As a stop-gap arrangement and to sensitize the clearance collectorates, this Directorate General earlier issued database values vide VDB letter 118 dated 05-12-2016 of imported tetra pack Milk (Lacnor, Almarai, Soyafresh milk etc.).
Thereafter, as per policy in vogue, Valuation Database Reference values are required to be converted’ into Valuation Ruling for uniform applicability across the country. At the same time a number of importers filed representations to revisit the VDB values in accordance with their declarations. In this context, the Directorate General, valuation initiated an exercise for determination of customs values of imported Branded Milk (Lacnor, Almarai, Soyafresh milk etc.) under section 25A of Customs Act, 1969.
Stakeholders’ Participation in Determination of Customs Values: Meetings for determination of customs values of tetra pack Milk (Lacnor, Almarai, Soyafresh milk etc.) were held with stakeholders held on 28-02-2017 & 21-03-2017 which were duly attended by stakeholders. Importers strongly contended and requested that the said Valuation Data Base values may be reviewed downwards.
The importers were of the view that actual value of imported tetra pack Milk (Lacnor, Almarai, Soyafresh milk etc.) is lower than the values determined vide VDB letter No. 118 dated 05.12.2016 and that their costs of selling have not been correctly accounted for. Further, to determine veracity of their stance, the stakeholders insisted that a fresh market surveys be conducted from local market for determination of customs values s imported tetra pack Milk (Lacnor, Almarai, Soyafresh milk etc.)
