The Directorate General of Customs Valuation in Karachi has updated the customs values for a broad range of ceramic and porcelain tiles imported from China, the US, and Europe. On Thursday, it issued Valuation Ruling No. 1972 of 2025, which sets new customs values in US dollars per square meter, and offers a 10% discount on Iranian-origin tiles imported by land.
This revision follows previous valuations determined under Section 25-A of the Customs Act, 1969, as per Valuation Ruling No. 1787/2023. That ruling was challenged under Section 25D and subsequently remanded to the directorate by Order in Revision No. 45/2023 dated August 4, 2023, instructing a fresh valuation exercise. With the contested ruling set aside, the directorate reverted to the earlier Valuation Ruling No. 874/2016 from June 22, 2016.
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Several meetings were held to reassess the customs values, but stakeholders failed to provide essential documents such as Letters of Credit, Bank Contracts, EIF Forms, and Export GDs. Despite repeated requests for postponements, a final meeting was convened, during which stakeholders asked for an extension until February 10, 2025, to submit all required import documents, including Export GDs—a request that was granted.
During discussions, importers argued that international tile prices have significantly declined due to technological advancements and proposed merging existing categories in the valuation ruling to prevent misdeclaration of porcelain tiles. In contrast, local manufacturers, who have invested heavily in tile production and are now producing larger-sized tiles, claimed that prices for imported tiles in the local market remain high. They suggested that a market inquiry should be conducted to verify their claims and presented their own proposed values.
Ultimately, the customs values for ceramic and porcelain tiles have been determined under Section 25(7) of the Customs Act, 1969, according to the ruling.
