Customs Valuation Issues or Shipment Valuation Issues & Liability of Logistics Companies in India | Export Import Lawyer in Delhi NCR | Legal Remedies for Logistics Companies in Delhi NCR |

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Customs Valuation alludes to the assurance of the worth of imported merchandise to compute customs obligations, charges, and different charges imposed by the bringing in country. It clarifies the responsibility that planned operations organizations can cause because of carelessness, lacking documentation, or cooperation in false exercises. Logistics companies can become unwitting participants in this issue if they are not diligent in verifying the accuracy of the declared values. The Agreement on Customs Valuation (ACV) of the World Trade Organization governs customs valuation in India and many other nations.

Common Customs Valuation Issues:
1) Under-Declared Value: One of the primary issues in customs valuation is the under-declaration of the value of imported goods. Importers may intentionally lower the declared value to reduce customs duties and taxes. This can lead to revenue loss for the government and is considered fraudulent. Logistics companies can become unwitting participants in this issue if they are not diligent in verifying the accuracy of the declared values.
2) Related Party Transactions: Customs authorities closely scrutinize transactions involving related parties, such as parent companies and subsidiaries, to ensure that the declared value reflects the true market value. Manipulation of prices in such transactions to evade higher duties is a concern.
3) Royalties and License Fees: Determining whether royalties and license fees paid for imported goods are includable in the customs value can be complex. These fees are added to the transaction value if they are related to the imported goods and have not already been included in the price. Logistics companies need to accurately assess whether such fees should be part of the customs value calculation.
4) Valuation of Identical or Similar Goods: Customs authorities compare the value of the imported goods with the value of identical or similar goods to ascertain the accuracy of the declared value. Disagreements regarding the appropriate comparable value to be used can result from differences in the functions, specifications, and other aspects of a product. Strategies organizations can confront difficulties in giving significant data to these correlations.

Responsibility of Logistics Companies in India: Logistics Companies assume an essential part in the importation cycle, from orchestrating transportation to working with customs freedom. While their primary responsibility is to ensure the safe and timely delivery of goods, they can also bear liability in customs valuation issues:
1) Negligence in Verification: If a logistics company fails to verify the accuracy of the declared value and unknowingly facilitates under-declaration, they can be held liable for negligence. Customs authorities may impose fines, penalties, or even suspension of their operations.
2) Inadequate Documentation: Logistics companies are responsible for providing accurate and complete documentation related to the shipment. In cases where relevant documents supporting the declared value are missing or insufficient, customs authorities might penalize the logistics company for incomplete documentation.
3) Collaboration in Fraudulent Activities: If a logistics company is found to be complicit in intentional under-declaration or other fraudulent practices, they can face severe legal consequences, including criminal charges.
4) Failure to Follow Regulations: Customs regulations and valuation methodologies can be intricate. A logistics company could be hit with fines and lose their reputation if they don’t follow these rules, whether out of ignorance or wilful disregard.

Mitigation and Best Practices:
1) Due Diligence: Logistics companies should conduct thorough due diligence on their clients and their business transactions to identify any potential customs valuation issues. This incorporates confirming the precision of the announced worth and guaranteeing appropriate documentation.
2) Training and Awareness: Regular training programs for staff on customs regulations, valuation methodologies, and related risks can enhance the competency of logistics companies in handling customs valuation matters.
3) Documentation Management: Maintaining complete and accurate documentation is crucial. Logistics companies should ensure that all relevant invoices, contracts, and supporting documents are securely stored and readily accessible.
4) Working together with experts: Drawing in customs advisors or lawful specialists who represent considerable authority in customs valuation can give significant experiences and direction to strategies organizations, assisting them with exploring complex valuation issues really.
Customs valuation issues can make huge difficulties for both bringing in organizations and operations organizations in India. Operations organizations should focus on reasonable level of investment, exact documentation, and customs consistence to alleviate these issues and likely liabilities. A logistics company could be hit with fines and lose their reputation if they don’t follow above rules, whether out of ignorance or wilful disregard.
Authored By; Adv. Anant Sharma & Anushi Choudhary