Customs revises import values for optical frames, sunglasses

The Directorate General of Customs Valuation has revised customs values for the import of optical frames and sunglasses from all origins under Section 25A of the Customs Act, 1969.

The new values have been issued through Valuation Ruling No. 2095/2026, dated June 24, 2026.

The ruling supersedes Valuation Ruling No. 1895/2024, dated July 4, 2024, and its corrigendum dated August 23, 2024.

According to the Directorate General, the earlier ruling required review in view of prevailing import trends, market conditions, assessment practices and overall valuation parameters of optical frames and sunglasses.

The ruling said the goods are imported in different categories, qualities, brands, materials, origins and commercial levels, requiring a fresh valuation exercise.

A stakeholder meeting for determining customs values was scheduled on May 29, 2026. Notices were issued to relevant stakeholders, asking them to attend the meeting and submit documents and evidence supporting their declared values.

However, no stakeholder attended the meeting or submitted documentary evidence.

The Directorate General said the matter was finalised on the basis of available import data, market enquiry, the previous valuation ruling, corrigendum, departmental record and other relevant information.

The Directorate analysed import values of optical frames and sunglasses and reviewed the previous ruling, market information and assessment trends.

It observed that the values of branded and unbranded optical frames and sunglasses differ significantly due to brand reputation, quality, material, market acceptability and commercial level.

The goods have therefore been categorised for valuation purposes in line with the structure of the previous valuation ruling.

The ruling said the transaction value method under Section 25(1) of the Customs Act, 1969 could not be solely relied upon because of variation in declared values, brand, quality, material, specifications and commercial levels, as well as absence of complete and verifiable information.

The identical and similar goods methods under Sections 25(5) and 25(6) were also examined. However, these methods could not be exclusively relied upon due to differences in brands, quality, material, origin, commercial level and market reputation.

The computed value method under Section 25(8) could not be applied because information relating to production cost, manufacturing expenses and other allied costs in the exporting country was not available.

The customs values were therefore determined under Section 25(9), read with Section 25(7), of the Customs Act, 1969.

For sunglasses, category A brands, including Gucci, Rayban, Burberry, Cartier, Prada, Montblanc, Chanel, Saint Lauren, D&G and Bvlgari, have been valued at $84 per piece on a C&F basis for all origins.

Category B sunglasses, including CK, Lacoste, Police, Guess, Nike, Salvatore Ferragamo, Karl Lagerfeld, Lozza, Chopard, Cavalli, Nina Ricci, Porsche, Polo Ralph Lauren, Tiffany, Michael Kors, Swarovski, Coach, Versace, DKNY, Vogue, Trussardi, Paul Smith, Adidas, BMW, Emilio Pucci, Ermenegildo Zegna, Fendi, Tom Ford and other listed brands, have been valued at $37 per piece for all origins.

Unbranded sunglasses, other than for children or kids, have been valued at $0.35 per piece or $13.50 per kg, whichever is higher.

Unbranded sunglasses for children or kids have been valued at $0.10 per piece or $13.50 per kg, whichever is higher.

For optical frames, category A brands, including Gucci, Rayban, Burberry, Cartier, Prada, Montblanc, Chanel, Saint Lauren, D&G and Bvlgari, have been valued at $88 per piece for all origins.

Category B optical frames, covering CK, Lacoste, Police, Guess, Nike, Salvatore Ferragamo, Karl Lagerfeld, Lozza, Chopard, Cavalli, Nina Ricci, Porsche, Polo Ralph Lauren, Tiffany, Michael Kors, Swarovski, Coach, Versace, DKNY, Vogue, Trussardi, Paul Smith, Adidas, BMW, Fendi, Tom Ford and other listed brands, have been valued at $50 per piece for all origins.

Unbranded optical frames have been valued at $1.10 per piece or $45 per kg, whichever is higher.

The ruling applies to sunglasses under PCT 9004.1000 and optical frames under PCT 9003.1900, with proposed PCT codes specified for WeBOC.

The Directorate General stated that where declared or invoice values are higher than the customs values determined in the ruling, assessment will be made on the higher values under Section 25(1) of the Customs Act, 1969.

For consignments imported by air, the difference between air freight and sea freight will be added for assessment of value.

The ruling will apply to the descriptions and specifications mentioned in the valuation tables, while HS and PCT codes have been mentioned for illustrative purposes.