The valuation Department at Dubai Customs achieved great strides within a short period of time by adopting a new approach to identify the real customs value for imported goods.
The new procedures, which the Value Department adopted immediately when it was established a year and a half ago, prevent importers from reducing the Customs value of imported goods, allowing Dubai Customs to deal with the real customs values. These procedures are considered one of the strong monitoring aspects at Dubai Customs.
These achievements came as a result of the decision made by Dubai Customs to adopt the best practices, and rely on effective departments including the Valuation Department.
The Valuation Department is in line with Dubai Customs strategic plan, which also complements Dubai Government Strategic plan 2007-2015, in terms of enhancing the economic growth, increasing government revenues and strengthening the competitiveness advantages of the domestic economy.
Mrs. Aisha Majid Bin Thaniya, Senior Manager of Valuation Department at Dubai Customs indicated that the Customs Valuation Department, which operates in accordance with the internationally recognised rules, will strengthen UAE commitment vis-à-vis the international agreements.
"This will achieve great benefits to the traders and emphasise on the necessity of voluntary compliance to the Customs requirements," said Bin Thaniya.
She affirmed that having methodical rules in place for value assessment and the general awareness of the business community of valuation assessment methods would solidify the country's economy. The new approach is based on Article VII of the General Agreement of Tariffs and Trade (GATT).
“The application of Customs Valuation will achieve Customs equity and protect revenue from loss. The application of these procedures showed the differences between the real customs values and the declared ones and accounted for a billion and a half dirhams," added Bin Thaniya.
"Dubai Customs' Valuation Department has the adequate expertise, which qualifies it to provide assistance to other Customs Administrations, regionally and internationally. Leadership is not only providing ideas, but also in making those ideas a tangible reality. The main objective lies in establishing solid bases for free international trade through the cooperation between all concerned parties. We are confidant that UAE and Dubai in particular will play a vital role in encouraging a secured international trade free of risks that threatens the economy, society and environment," concluded Bin Thaniya.
The World Customs Organisation (WCO) praised Dubai Customs practices in terms of customs valuation in accordance with WCO recognised and standards.
The WCO Technical Committee for Customs Valuation, in a kind gesture, praised the Valuation Department for adopting legislations, training and databases.
On a new level, The Valuation Department in collaboration with the Information Technology Department at Dubai Customs launched its new Valuation Database Project.
The new project aims at compiling and entering the prices of goods and commodities including different kinds of vehicles and machineries into a database enabling Dubai Customs to replace the traditional practice of price and values of searching by adopting an advanced electronic approach.
“This project will positively affect Customs mechanisms by using a database for prices as a Customs Risk Engine. It will assist in providing a uniform valuation system based on scientific bases and international standards.
This project will prevent the manipulation of some importers regarding the undervalue declarations of imported goods,” Bin Thaniya concluded.
