We are a firm providing professional services as Chartered Engineers. We wish to expand our services to Indian exporters and importers. How do we go about it?

A: 1. We have noted that you are a qualified Chartered Engineer doing

valuation and certification.

2. The Customs department sometimes requires valuation of imported

product for the purpose of valuation. 

3. Your professional services are essentially required by the Indian

importer.

4. The certificate issued by you may be presented to the Customs

department as an evidence of valuation.

5. When imported capital goods are secondhand, then this certificate is a

must.

6. The Customs department will insist on a certificate from the Chartered

Engineer who is from the respective stream. For example, a mechanical

engineer can issue a certificate regarding valuation of machinery. Similarly,

a certificate regarding import of chemical is expected from chemical

engineer and so on.

7. A certificate on residual life of the secondhand machine is also required

sometimes.

8. We understand that the Customs department maintains a list of

approved professionals.

9. The certificate issued by penal professional may only be accepted.
10. The Customs department does due diligence before enrolling the

professional on approved list.

11. Chartered Engineer may require to do inspection of the goods.
12. At the time of export of goods for repair, a certificate from Chartered

Engineer may be required.

13. Chartered Engineer has to satisfy the norms of Customs Department.
14. You have to make an application in response to the Public Notice

issued by CBIC from time to time for empanelment of Chartered Engineers

for Examination/Valuation of secondhand machinery/goods.

15. The Customs department regularly draws up a new panel of Chartered

Engineers, category-wise, for valuation of imported old and

used/secondhand machinery, equipment, other capital goods.

16. Application is in standard format.
17. You have to provide supporting documents.
18. The applicant can be an individual or a company.
19. From the candidate, high degree of professional expertise, integrity and

fairness are expected. 

20. Chartered Engineer may be referred for expert opinion on other

matters.

21. The panel will be valid for a period of 1 year.
22. Interview will be conducted. 
23. The certificate issued by the empanelled engineer will be advisory in

nature and shall not be binding on the department. 

24. On empanelment of Chartered Engineers, a Public Notice will be issued

giving the names and addresses of Chartered Engineers who can be

contacted by the trade for issue of Chartered Engineer Valuation

Certificate.

25. Submission of any wrong information would result in cancellation of

membership of the panel.