KARACHI: The Director General Customs Valuation issued the value of Soda Ash vide Valuation Ruling 996/2016. The customs values of Soda Ash different grades were earlier determined vide Valuation Ruling No.540/2013 dated 22.01.2013 and Valuation Ruling No.553/2013 dated 10-05-2013.
According to details, representations were received from commercial importers, for determination of customs value of Soda Ash afresh. Hence existing Valuation Ruling, which is over three years old is required to be revised in the light of Sindh High Court orders dated 10.11.2015.
Since 90 days have passed and representations were received from commercial importers regarding values determined in afore mentioned valuation ruling, an exercise was initiated to re-determine the values of Soda Ash. 3. Stakeholders’ participation in determination of Customs values.
Meeting with all the stakeholders including importers and representatives from clearance Collectorates, was eld on 07-12-2016 to discuss the current international prices of the subject item. The commercial importers stated that the prices of subject items are showing down ward trend in e international markets, however, M/s ICI Pakistan Ltd, local manufacturers, on the other hand submitted that the prices of soda Ash are showing upward trend. They supported their submissions with ICIS and HIS Chemicals for current prices of soda ash. The view point of all participants was heard in detail and considered to arrive at Customs value of Soda Ash.
Method adopted to determine Customs values: Valuation methods provided in Section 25 of the Customs Act, 1969 were duly applied in their regular sequential order to address the particular valuation issue at hand. The transaction value method as provided in Sub-Section (1) of Section 25, found inapplicable in light of the wide variety of invoices submitted at import stage the veracity of which could not be ascertained fully, hence requisite information required under law was not available to arrive at the correct transaction value. Identical / similar goods value method provided vide Sub-Sections (5) & (6) of Section 25