Import Surveillance on Load Cells and Measuring Instruments – Amendment under Communiqué No: 2026/20

Scope of the Regulation

The regulation applies to imports of measuring instruments falling under HS 9031.80.80.90 where the declared unit value is below the thresholds determined by the Ministry of Trade.

In practical terms, imports of load cells classified under HS 9031.80.80.90.11 are subject to surveillance when declared at a unit value lower than USD 20,000 per metric ton (gross weight). Other measuring instruments classified under HS 9031.80.80.90.19 fall under the surveillance regime when declared below USD 7,000 per metric ton (gross weight).

Only shipments meeting or exceeding these reference levels may be released without surveillance certification.

Core Regulatory Requirements

Mandatory Surveillance Certificate

• Imports of the above goods below the specified unit values are permitted only with a valid Surveillance Certificate issued by the Ministry of Trade.
• The certificate must be available at the time of customs declaration and referenced in Box 44 of the declaration using the assigned 23-digit document number and issue date.

Application Procedure

• Applications are submitted electronically through the Single Window System using:
• Applications must be completed with a qualified electronic signature.
• Alternatively, applications may be submitted via the national e-government portal.
• In exceptional cases where electronic submission is not possible, physical applications are accepted using the prescribed application form, accompanied by corporate registration documentation.

Review and Verification

• The authority may request original documents, additional information, or clarification at any stage.
• Any inconsistency, incompleteness, or inaccurate declaration will result in suspension of the certificate issuance until fully remedied.

Validity and Legal Effect

• Surveillance Certificates are valid for six months from the date of issuance.

Enforcement and Sanctions

• Where misleading, inaccurate, or contradictory information is identified during application or review:
• Failure to obtain a required Surveillance Certificate will result in customs clearance being blocked.

Repealed Legislation

• Communiqué No: 2025/3, published on 29 January 2025, has been fully repealed with the entry into force of this regulation.

Entry into Force

• The Communiqué enters into force on the 30th day following its publication date.

Compliance Assessment

From a trade compliance and customs risk management standpoint:

• Importers of load cells and comparable measuring instruments should evaluate pricing structures prior to shipment to determine whether surveillance applies.
• Where declared values are close to or below the reference thresholds, advance application for the Surveillance Certificate is essential to prevent clearance delays.
• Although the reference values do not define customs value, low-value declarations will attract increased scrutiny, both at clearance and post-clearance stages.
• Aligning commercial documentation, supplier pricing, and logistics planning with this framework is critical to maintaining predictable and uninterrupted import operations.

See relevant legislative document