Latest news with #DirectorateGeneralofCustomsValuation
Business Recorder
01-08-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Solar inverters from China: New values on import of various types issued
ISLAMABAD: The Directorate General of Customs Valuation, Karachi has issued new customs values on the import of 23 different types of solar inverters from China. In this regard, the directorate has issued a new valuation ruling (2015 of 2025) on Thursday. The directorate has issued custom values on the import of three different categories of solar inverters including hybrid solar inverters (9 types), off-grid solar inverters (3 types) and on-grid solar inverters (11 types). Different customs values would be applicable on the import of Hybrid Solar Inverters, On-Grid Solar Inverters and Off-Grid Solar Inverters. The values mentioned for hybrid solar inverters are for brands that are recognised as manufacturers of solar inverters classified as Tier-I companies/internationally or nationally established companies and include: Huawei, Inverex, Goodwe, Growatt, Solis, Sungrow, Fronius, Solax, Sineng, ABB, SMA, and others. These brands import Ingress Protection (IP 65 and IP 66) solar inverters and if other brands import IP 65 and IP 66 hybrid solar inverters, relevant values shall also apply on these goods. Generally, off-grid solar inverters above 06 KWs are not imported. Besides, in case of any further ambiguity regarding the description of mentioned goods, the clearance Collectorate may refer to the manufacturer's website and/or get it tested from reputable labs such as NED or UET, ruling added. Details of the issue revealed that the customs values of solar inverters were previously determined under Section 25-A of the Customs Act, 1969, vide Valuation Ruling No1913 of 2024. This ruling was subsequently challenged under Section 25-D of the Customs Act before the Director General of Customs Valuation, Karachi. In response, the Director General issued Order-in-Revision No 08/2025 dated 04.02.2025, directing are evaluation of the determined values and recommending a further subdivision of the categories (capacities) outlined in the impugned ruling. Accordingly, the Directorate of Customs Valuation initiated a re-determination exercise in line with the provisions of Section 25-A of the Customs Act, 1969. The importers contended that the customs values assigned to solar inverters under the disputed valuation ruling were excessively high and warranted revision. They further proposed that the categorisation of inverters be refined by introducing sub-divisions based on their respective capacities to better reflect market dynamics. In response, the Director of Valuation instructed the stakeholders to furnish relevant documentary evidence-including export Goods Declarations (GDs), Letters of Credit (LCs), and other banking instrument to substantiate their claims. Additionally, concerns were raised regarding definitional ambiguities related to 'off-grid inverters'. These issues were deliberated upon in detail, leading to a clarification of the distinctions between hybrid, on-grid, and off-grid solar inverter types: (i) Hybrid Inverters: A hybrid solar inverter is an inverter that can integrate solar PV power, battery storage and the electrical grid connectivity. This allows solar energy to be used directly, stored for later use, or fed back into the grid (if in excess). As such, generally hybrid invertors contain a separate terminal for feeding excess power into grid. (ii) On-Grid Inverters: An on-grid solar inverter converts solar power for direct use in the public electricity grid without battery storage (No battery connection ports). This type of inverter operates only when connected to the grid and will enter standby mode if a grid failure is detected. (iii) Off-Grid Inverters: An off-grid inverter can function from the power of solar energy (PV Modules), battery storage, and AC/Grid/Genset connectivity through its input ports. Such units can use solar PV power, battery storage, and AC input power. Such units are especially suited where grid power is unstable or if there is no need to feed the surplus solar PV power to the grid (no net metering function). Automatically switches (by pass the household load) to AC or generator power when solar/battery storage is unavailable. As such the presence of AC input does not make it a hybrid inverter. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
29-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Varieties of resins: Customs' values revised
ISLAMABAD: The Directorate General of Customs Valuation, Karachi has revised customs values on the import of phenolic resin, epoxide resin and polyurethane resin (pre-polymer for shoe sole) from China, South Africa, Taiwan, Korea and USA. In this regard, the directorate has issued a valuation ruling (2013 of 2025) on Tuesday. The ruling revealed that the customs values of phenolic resin, polyurethane resin, polyurethane resin, (pre-polymer for shoe sole), melamine resin and epoxide resin determined vide valuation ruling number 1813 of 2024 were challenged before the Director General of Customs Valuation under Section 25D of the Customs Act 1969 by M/s Ever Lasting Footwear and M/s Nimir Resins. The director general vide order-in-revision No36/2024 directed the directorate to revisit customs values of subject goods from different origins. In pursuance of the aforesaid order-in-revision, proceedings for re-determination of customs values of subject goods was initiated under Section 25 and 25A of the Customs Act, 1969 and valuation ruling No 1905/2024 was issued accordingly. Moreover, being aggrieved several stakeholders filed revision petitions again under Section 25D of the Customs Act, 1969, before director general of Customs Valuation, Karachi. The director general vide order-in-revision No 63/2024 dated 06.11.2024 set-aside the valuation ruling No 1905/2024 dated 23.09.2024 with the directions to the learned respondent to issue fresh ruling after considering of all aspects by ensuring participation of the relevant stakeholders including M/s Pakistan Footwear Manufacturers Association. In view of the above, this directorate again initiated the proceedings for the re-determination of customs values of subject goods under Section 25A of the Customs Act, 1969. The ruling said that meeting was convened which was attended by relevant stakeholders including the representatives of Pakistan Footwear Association and other stakeholders i.e. the importers and the manufacturers. The representatives were requested to submit relevant documents and evidence to substantiate their contentions. Viewpoints of the participants were heard in detail during the meeting for the determination of customs values under Section 25A of the Customs Act, 1969. The transaction value method as provided in Section 25 of the Customs Act was found inapplicable due to absence of information as required under sub-section (2) of Section 25 of Customs Act. Subsequently, similar goods value method provided in Section 25(6) was also examined in light of the clearance data of subject goods and was finally relied upon for determination of customs values of subject goods except polyurethane resin (pre-polymer for shoe sole) under Section 25A of the Customs Act, 1969.
Business Recorder
22-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Customs' value fixed on solar panels import
ISLAMABAD: The Directorate General of Customs Valuation, Karachi, has fixed customs value $0.08/Watt to $0.09/Watt on the import of solar panels of all origin. According to a valuation ruling (2012 of 2025) issued by the directorate on Monday, several representations were received by the Directorate of Customs Valuation, Karachi, emphasising the need for re-determination of customs values for the aforementioned goods, citing that their prices have changed and decreased in the international market. Accordingly, the directorate undertook an exercise to re-determine the customs values of the said goods in line with prevailing international market trends. Tax on imported solar panels: what does it mean for Pakistan's renewable energy future? Analysis to determine Customs Values: An initial meeting was convened on 19.02.2025 following the receipt of a representation from the Pakistan Solar Association (PSA) dated 21.01.2025, wherein, a revision of the existing valuation ruling No 189412024 dated 04-07-2024 was requested. The representation cited a significant decline in international prices of solar panels, noting that the values prescribed in the prevailing valuation ruling were comparatively on the higher side. It was also highlighted that several importers were facing difficulties with banks, as the declared transaction values were lower than the existing customs values, resulting in delays in clearance of goods due to banking compliance issues. During the initial meeting, the majority of stakeholders/importers expressed unanimous support for the continuation of the tier-based categorisation of solar panels as prescribed in the previous valuation ruling. Furthermore, they collectively emphasised that global market prices of solar panels had declined since the issuance of the last ruling in July, 2024. The stakeholders also requested that market verification be conducted from local distributors and ongoing solar exhibitions in Pakistan to corroborate prevailing prices. It is pertinent to mention that several key importers could not participate in the initial meeting due to their attendance at an ongoing international annual exhibition in China, which spans approximately two months. In the subsequent meeting, a majority of the attending stakeholders reiterated their stance on the downward trend of market prices, requesting a downward revision in customs values. In support of their position, relevant commercial invoices, Goods Declarations (GDs), and other documentary evidence reflecting the current transaction values of various Tier-based solar panels were submitted. Additionally, clearance data for the preceding 90 days was retrieved and thoroughly scrutinised to facilitate an informed and fair re-determination of customs values. Method(s) adopted to determine Customs values: Valuation methods specified in Section 25 of the Customs Act, 1969, were duly considered in sequential order to arrive at the customs values of subject goods. The transaction value method as provided in sub-section (l) of Section 25 of the Customs Act, 1969, was found inapplicable due to absence of information as required under sub-section (2) of Section 25 of Customs Act, 1969. The identical goods value method as provided in Section 2-5(5) was examined, some applicable values were found but that the same could not be solely relied upon due to absence of absolute demonstrable evidence of quantities and qualities. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
26-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
How much duty will Pakistanis pay on iPhone 16, older models? Here are the details
Listen to article Pakistan's Directorate General of Customs Valuation has established new customs values for the import of 187 types of Apple iPhones, including the recently launched iPhone 16. The move follows the issuance of Valuation Ruling 1909 of 2025 and comes after requests from the Collectorate of Customs (Airport) in Islamabad and representations from stakeholders pushing for an update to include the latest models. The previous customs valuation had remained unchanged for over a year and no longer reflected current international market prices. Several older iPhone models had also reached their End of Life (EOL) status, requiring depreciation adjustments. To determine the revised customs values, the Directorate analysed recent import data, current market trends, and discrepancies between market prices and the existing valuation, in line with Sections 25 and 25A of the Customs Act, 1969. Officials said multiple meetings were held with stakeholders to discuss the new valuations. "Stakeholders strongly advocated for including the latest iPhone 16 series and requested depreciation for older models," a customs official said. Relevant import documents were requested from stakeholders to substantiate their claims. The Directorate reviewed 90 days of import data before finalising the new customs values. The new values, detailed in Annexure-I of the ruling, will form the basis for calculating duties and taxes on iPhone imports. Annexure-I lists 187 items across five pages.
Express Tribune
25-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
iPhone 16 series hit by new import valuations in Pakistan
The updated customs valuation includes 16 variants of the iPhone 16, in addition to earlier models such as the iPhone 15, 14, 13, 12, and 11. PHOTO: PIXABAY Listen to article The Directorate General of Customs Valuation, Karachi, has issued revised customs values for the import of 187 models of Apple iPhones, including the newly launched iPhone 16 series. The changes, formalized in Valuation Ruling No. 1909 of 2025, were announced on Friday following stakeholder consultations and a comprehensive review of market trends. The updated customs valuation includes 16 variants of the iPhone 16, in addition to earlier models such as the iPhone 15, 14, 13, 12, and 11. The ruling also incorporates depreciation allowances for older models that have reached the end of their product life cycles. The decision follows formal requests from the Collectorate of Customs (Airport), Islamabad, and several importers, who highlighted that the existing valuation framework, now over a year old, no longer reflected current international pricing. Customs authorities cited outdated values and the need to accommodate new models as the primary reasons for the revision. 'In response to market feedback and in view of the latest pricing dynamics, the directorate undertook a detailed valuation process under Sections 25 and 25A of the Customs Act, 1969,' a customs spokesperson said. The Directorate reviewed 90 days of import data and held multiple meetings with stakeholders, who were invited to submit import documentation and pricing evidence. The evaluation process included analysis of declared values and current international pricing benchmarks. The new valuation table, detailed in a five-page annexure attached to the ruling, lists assessed customs values for all 187 iPhone models. These values will now serve as the benchmark for calculating duties and taxes at the time of import. The move aims to align Pakistan's import tariffs with global market realities while ensuring fair tax collection and transparency in mobile phone imports.
