Pakistan Customs has introduced a revised valuation for suitcases imported from China to standardize the calculation of applicable duties and taxes. The Directorate General of Customs Valuation has issued Valuation Ruling No. 1974 of 2025, setting new customs values for both soft and hard suitcases, particularly focusing on low-end brands and unbranded varieties.
This revision follows a detailed examination of import data, shifts in market trends, and discrepancies between declared values and actual market prices. The assessment was carried out under Sections 25 and 25A of the Customs Act, 1969, to ensure a more precise and fair valuation system.
Importers had raised concerns that the previous valuation was established during a period of elevated freight charges caused by pandemic-related shipping disruptions. Given the changes in freight costs and market conditions, Pakistan Customs reviewed import data from the last 90 days and conducted market inquiries to reassess the valuation.
The customs valuation process followed the methods outlined in Section 25 of the Customs Act, 1969. The transaction value method was not considered viable due to inconsistencies between declared and market prices. Similarly, methods based on identical or similar goods did not yield definitive results due to variations in quality and quantity. As a result, a market survey was conducted to establish a more accurate valuation benchmark.
Based on these findings, the new customs valuation will serve as the reference point for duty and tax calculations. If an importer’s declared or invoice value is higher than the customs valuation, the assessment will be based on the higher declared amount. For air shipments, adjustments will be made to account for differences in air and sea freight costs. The ruling will apply to specific product descriptions and specifications, with corresponding HS Codes provided for clarity.
Customs Collectorates have been instructed to enforce the new valuation strictly, and any discrepancies encountered during implementation must be reported to the Directorate General of Customs Valuation for correction.
This update reflects Pakistan Customs’ ongoing efforts to enhance transparency in valuation procedures and ensure that import duties align with actual market conditions. The revised valuation framework is expected to provide clarity for importers and prevent revenue losses from undervaluation of imported goods.
