RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: Directorate General Customs Valuation (DGCV) has revised the customs values of ginger and garlic under section 25(7) of the Customs Act, 1969.

According to details, the customs values of fresh/dry ginger and garlic were earlier determined vide valuation ruling no. 1299 in 2018. A number of importers have requested for the revision of the ruling in line with the prevailing prices in the international market.

Therefore, the Directorate has initiated an exercise for re-determination of the customs values of the fresh/dry ginger and garlic in terms of section 25-A of the Customs Act, 1969.

For the purpose, meetings were held with stakeholders in August and September where importers were requested to submit supportive documents for revision of valuation ruling.

The importers contended that the customs values in the impugned valuation ruling were high and therefore, it required revision in line with the prevailing prices in the international market.

They emphasized that due to the new crops of ginger and garlic in China this season, the prices in international markets have declined and therefore the existing ruling needed to be rationalized accordingly.

The importers of dry ginger also contended that the prices of dry ginger have also seen a downward trend. The stakeholders also produced documents to substantiate their view point that prices in international markets have declined substantially. The view point of all stakeholders was considered before arriving at customs values of fresh/dry ginger and garlic.

The data provided some references however it was found that the same cannot be solely relied upon due to wide variations in declarations. Information available was hence, found inappropriate. In line with the statutory sequential order of section 25, the Directorate then conducted market inquiries under sub-section (7) of the section 25 of the Customs Act, 1969 and determined customs values of fresh/dry ginger and-garlic under section 25(7) of the Customs Act, 1969 accordingly.

The fresh ginger origin will now be assessed at $0.82 per kilogram (China), Indonesia, Vietnam & Myanmar at $0.64 per kilogram, India at $0.70 per kilogram and Thailand at $0.43 per kilogram. The dry ginger from China at $1.86 per kilogram and the same commodity imported from Indonesia, Vietnam, Nigeria, Myanmar & India at $1.60 per kilogram.

The fresh garlic imported from China and India at $0.48 per kilogram and $0.42 per kilogram, respectively.

The customs value of dehydrate garlic flakes from India at $1.64 per kilogram and from China at $2.30 per kilogram.