Douanewaarde

The customs value is the base value to calculate the right amount of duties upon importing goods into the European Union. Various components affect the customs value, such as transport costs, licence fees or a discount. Determining the customs value becomes really difficult once there are several transactions in one chain or if you are working with intercompany transactions. All these components can lead to a lot of discussion with the customs authorities.

Meet our specialists

Deze pagina is ook beschikbaar in het Nederlands. Klik hier voor de Nederlandse versie.

When calculating the customs value, companies generally use the transaction value method. However, in certain cases this transaction value method is not sufficient. In this case the customs valuate has to be determined by using one of the five other methods.

To determine which method needs to be used, you clearly map out which payments take place that may influence the customs value. After all, the customs value is often not only the price of the goods stated on the invoice. Factors such as, for example, transport costs, connectivity between buyer-seller, discount, royalties and costs of supplied means of production (such as, for example, moulds) also play a major role in determining the customs value.

Also a thorough knowledge of Incoterms is an absolute must to determine a correct customs value. Based on the delivery conditions, it is determined whether certain costs are part of the customs value or not.

Our experts are happy to advise you.

Publications

Determining customs value: Which transaction?

The customs value is necessary for calculating the amount of customs duties. To calculate the customs value, it is important to determine which valuation method should be used. In addition, it is necessary to determine which transaction can serve as the basis for determining the customs value. We have developed a 5-step plan for this purpose.

More...
All publications in Customs value