Businessmen seek realistic customs valuation system
LAHORE: Stakeholders from various business sectors have called for a transparent, consistent and business-friendly customs valuation mechanism based on actual international market prices and transaction data, warning that unrealistic assessments and procedural delays are increasing the cost of doing business and hampering industrial and trade activities.
The demand was raised during a consultative session at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), chaired by its President Ali Hussam Asghar and attended by Director, Directorate General of Customs Valuation, Lahore, Saima Aftab, Senior Vice President Sardar Usman Ghani, Vice President Chaudhry Khadim Hussain, Chairman All Pakistan Customs Clearing Agents Association Masood Ahmed Wain and representatives of various business sectors.
The LCCI President stressed that effective consultation with stakeholders should precede any changes in customs valuation. He said unnecessary delays in customs clearance were adversely affecting business activities and called for a faster and more efficient clearance mechanism.
Saima Aftab emphasised the importance of consensus among stakeholders to balance the interests of commercial importers, local manufacturers and other business sectors. She assured participants that the consultation process would continue to help authorities understand market realities and take balanced decisions.
Usman Ghani said unrealistic valuations resulted in higher duties and taxes, undermining local industries and exports. He added that imported products, particularly different steel grades and industrial components, should be assessed on the basis of their actual composition, technical specifications, applications and international prices.
Participants expressed concern over assessments based on internet listings and local retail prices instead of authentic international trade data. They demanded uniform valuation criteria, consideration of historical import records and actual transaction values, and a review of lengthy appeal procedures and unnecessary detention of consignments.
They also called for improved customs facilities in Lahore to spare Punjab-based traders the time and expense of travelling to Karachi for import-related procedures.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026