The Identical Goods Value Method is a method for determining the customs value in customs valuation, typically serving as the first alternative to the transaction value method. It means that when the transaction value of the imported goods cannot be determined, customs determines the customs value based on the transaction value of identical goods produced by the same producer in the same exporting country and exported to the same importing country at the same or approximately the same time. Use cases include: special relationships between buyer and seller affecting the price, restrictive conditions in the transaction, or unverifiable prices. Notes: Identical goods must be completely identical to the goods being valued in terms of physical characteristics, quality, reputation, etc., and should generally be produced by the same producer; if the same producer has no identical goods, identical goods produced by other producers in the same exporting country may be considered, but adjustments must be made for price differences due to different producers; the time should be within 30 days before or after the export of the goods being valued, and if unavailable, it may be extended to 90 days. Differences from other terms: Compared with the Similar Goods Value Method, identical goods require completely identical physical characteristics, while similar goods only require similar functions and materials; compared with the Deductive Value Method and Computed Value Method, the Identical Goods Value Method has priority and is based on actual transaction prices rather than constructed prices.
📝 Examples
1. Because of a special relationship between the importer and exporter, customs could not accept the declared transaction value and therefore applied the Identical Goods Value Method, using the transaction value of identical steel products of the same specifications exported by the same producer to another importer during the same period as the basis for the customs value. (Note: A special relationship made the transaction value unusable, so the identical goods value was used instead.)
2. A company imported a batch of motors, model X200. Because the invoice price was obviously lower than the market price, customs questioned its authenticity. Upon investigation, the same producer in the same exporting country had exported identical motors to another importing country at approximately the same time, so customs valued them according to the Identical Goods Value Method. (Note: When the price is abnormal, customs uses the export transaction price of identical goods as the basis for valuation.)
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