Country of Origin Certificates accepted during customs...

Country of Origin Certificates accepted during customs assessment support preferential duty exemption unless cancelled, revoked, or shown to involve importer collusion. Of 38 certificates for stainless steel imports from Malaysia, one appearing on an unauthentic list was excluded after duty was paid, while the remaining 37 were treated as authentic for exemption purposes. Declared transaction value cannot be enhanced solely by reference to contemporary imports without following prescribed valuation rules or evidence of payment beyond invoice prices. Where allegations of non-genuine origin certificates and undervaluation fail, suppression with intent to evade duty is not established and penalties for misdeclaration or undervaluation do not arise.