Customs valuation by contemporaneous comparable import was upheld despite invoice-date, exchange-rate and accessory objections.

Imported goods were valued by comparison with contemporaneous imports from the same supplier, and the tribunal treated the comparable invoice as a proper benchmark because the record did not substantiate any market fluctuation. Alleged differences in invoice dates, exchange rates and market value did not justify disturbing the valuation, since exchange-rate movement would only affect rupee conversion and duty computation, not the adopted import value. Inclusion of standard accessories also did not displace the comparable-value assessment. The customs valuation was therefore upheld and the challenge to the assessed value failed.

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Issues: Whether the valuation of the imported goods could be disturbed on the basis of alleged differences in invoice dates, exchange rates, market value, and inclusion of standard accessories, and whether the appeals could succeed despite the comparable contemporaneous import from the same supplier.

Analysis: The imported goods were compared with similar goods supplied by the same supplier to another party. The record did not contain evidence to support the plea of market fluctuation. The Tribunal treated the two imports as contemporaneous and held that, in the circumstances, the comparison of invoice values was proper. Any exchange-rate fluctuation, if relevant, would only affect conversion into Indian rupees and duty computation, and did not dislodge the valuation adopted on the basis of the comparable import.

Conclusion: The valuation adopted by the customs authority was upheld and the challenge to the assessed value failed.

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