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SVB

Our Expertise, Your Advantage

Kelular Consulting is a team of experienced professionals with in-depth knowledge of Special Valuation Branch (SVB) procedures, Customs valuation requirements, and related-party import transactions. We provide end-to-end assistance to importers in managing the SVB process, from documentation and questionnaire responses to coordination and representation before Customs authorities.

Our objective is to help businesses navigate SVB requirements efficiently, minimize valuation-related risks, and ensure smoother customs clearance for related-party imports.

Why Choose Kelular Consulting?

  • Expert SVB Guidance: Practical assistance throughout the SVB investigation and valuation process.
  • End-to-End Support: Assistance with documentation, annexures, questionnaires, submissions, and follow-up.
  • Customs Valuation Expertise: Support in understanding and complying with applicable Customs valuation requirements.
  • Accurate Documentation: Careful review and preparation of supporting documents to reduce the risk of deficiencies and queries.
  • Professional Representation: Assistance in coordinating and representing the importer before the concerned Customs authorities.
  • Risk Mitigation: Helps identify potential valuation and additional-duty concerns at an early stage.
  • Timely Follow-Up: Continuous coordination to help keep the SVB process organized and progressing efficiently.

With Kelular Consulting, businesses can manage SVB compliance with greater confidence while focusing on their core import operations.

The Special Valuation Branch (SVB) is a specialized unit of Indian Customs that examines the valuation of selected imports involving related parties or specified additions to the price paid or payable. Its primary objective is to determine whether the declared transaction value can be accepted in accordance with the Customs Valuation (Determination of Value of Imported Goods) Rules, 2007.

The governing procedure is principally outlined in CBEC Circular No. 5/2016-Customs, dated February 9, 2016. The circular aims to make SVB referrals more selective, streamline and standardize the investigation process, and minimize unnecessary delays in the clearance of imported goods.

No. Not every related-party import requires an SVB investigation. As per Circular No. 5/2016-Customs, certain categories are generally kept outside the scope of routine SVB investigation, including:

  • Samples and prototypes imported from related sellers.
  • Goods fully exempt from customs duty when imported from related sellers.
  • Low-value transactions where the value of an individual import does not exceed INR 100,000, and the aggregate value of such imports does not exceed INR 2.5 million during a financial year.

However, the proper officer may still examine the declared transaction value to determine its acceptability under the applicable Customs Valuation Rules. Therefore, importers should maintain adequate supporting documents and valuation records, even when an SVB referral is not anticipated.

The Special Valuation Branch (SVB) investigation process generally involves the following five stages:

  1. Initial Declaration and Annexure A: The importer declares the related-party relationship in the Bill of Entry and submits Annexure A along with the relevant supporting documents.
  2. Preliminary Examination: The proper officer reviews the nature of the relationship, details of any additional payments, and the information provided to determine whether an SVB investigation is warranted.
  3. Referral and Provisional Assessment: If the matter is referred to the jurisdictional SVB, the affected imports may be assessed provisionally while the investigation is in progress.
  4. Annexure B and Supporting Evidence: The SVB issues a detailed questionnaire, generally requiring the importer to provide comprehensive responses and supporting records within the prescribed 60-day period.
  5. Investigation Report and Final Assessment: After examining the submissions and supporting evidence, the SVB records its findings in an Investigation Report (IR) and forwards it to the Customs formation handling the imports. The proper officer then proceeds with the final assessment or further action, as applicable.

The Special Valuation Branch (SVB) is a dedicated Customs unit that examines the valuation of imports involving related parties. It assesses whether the declared transaction value represents the true arm’s-length value in accordance with the Customs Valuation Rules (CVR) and determines whether any adjustments to the declared import value are required.

Imports are generally referred to the Special Valuation Branch (SVB) when they involve transactions between an Indian importer and a related foreign supplier, such as a parent company, subsidiary, group entity, or other affiliated concern.

The SVB examines such transactions to determine whether the declared import value reflects an arm’s-length price in accordance with applicable Customs valuation rules.

If the SVB accepts the declared import value, the valuation is accepted for the relevant transactions, subject to applicable Customs procedures and any subsequent review.

If the declared value is not accepted, Customs may issue a show-cause notice and reassess the import value and applicable duties.

This may result in additional duty liability, along with the option for the importer to respond, contest the findings, or pursue an appeal in accordance with the applicable Customs procedures.

At Kelular Consulting, we provide end-to-end support for SVB investigations, covering the preparation and filing of required annexures, documentation, responses to SVB queries, and representation before Customs authorities.

Our experienced professionals help ensure compliance with applicable Customs valuation regulations, mitigate potential duty risks, and facilitate the smooth and efficient clearance of related-party imports.

 
     
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