Import Surveillance Requirements for Automotive Engine Parts Communiqué No: 2026/14

Scope of the Regulation

The surveillance measure applies to automotive parts and accessories for motor vehicles, specifically engine-related components classified under HS 8708.21.90.00.00 (Other).

Imports fall within the scope of surveillance when the declared unit value is below USD 12 per kilogram (gross weight). Consignments declared at or above this reference value may be released for free circulation without surveillance certification.

Mandatory Surveillance Certificate

Where the declared unit value is below the applicable reference threshold, importation is permitted only upon presentation of a valid Surveillance Certificate issued by the Ministry of Trade. The certificate must be obtained before registration of the customs declaration and must be accurately referenced in the declaration using the assigned document number and issue date.

Without a valid certificate, customs clearance will not be permitted, regardless of whether the goods are imported as original equipment components, aftermarket parts, or for repair and maintenance purposes.

Application and Review Process

Applications for Surveillance Certificates are submitted electronically via the national Single Window system using the designated industrial surveillance document type and selecting Communiqué No: 2026/14 as the legal basis. A qualified electronic signature is required, with an alternative submission channel available through the national e-government portal.

If electronic submission is not technically feasible, physical applications may be accepted using the prescribed application form together with corporate registration documentation.

During the review stage, the authority may request original invoices, technical descriptions, product specifications, or supplementary explanations. Any inconsistency, deficiency, or contradiction will suspend issuance until fully resolved.

Customs Value Clarification and Practical Application

The Communiqué expressly states, in a separate provision, that the reference value introduced for surveillance purposes does not replace and does not constitute the customs value. The general customs valuation framework therefore remains fully applicable.

In practice—and specifically for value-based surveillance regimes—importers may lawfully increase the declared customs value by including legitimate foreign cost elements, such as international freight, insurance, royalties, tooling costs, or other overseas charges. When these elements are properly documented and declared, the final customs value may exceed the surveillance threshold, allowing the import to proceed without a Surveillance Certificate. This approach is accepted by customs authorities, provided that all valuation elements are genuine, transparent, and compliant.

This mechanism applies only to value-based surveillance measures and does not extend to quantity-based or non-value surveillance regimes.

Validity and Legal Effect

Surveillance Certificates issued under this Communiqué are valid for six months from the date of issuance. The existence of a certificate does not prevent customs authorities from reviewing or reassessing the declared value under general valuation rules. Conversely, correct and well-supported valuation may eliminate the need for surveillance certification where thresholds are legitimately exceeded.

Enforcement and Compliance Risk

If inaccurate, misleading, or incomplete information is identified during the application or review stages, issuance of the Surveillance Certificate will be withheld until corrective action is taken. Non-compliance may lead to clearance delays, additional storage costs, administrative scrutiny, and increased exposure during post-clearance audits.

Entry into Force

The Communiqué enters into force on the 30th day following its publication date. Importers with shipments in transit or contracts concluded near the effective date should reassess pricing structures, gross weight calculations, and cost allocation models to ensure compliance at the time of customs declaration.

Compliance Assessment

From a customs compliance and trade risk management perspective, this regulation targets a price-sensitive segment of the automotive spare parts market, where weight-based pricing and fragmented supply chains increase under-declaration risk.

Importers should ensure accurate HS classification, correct gross weight determination, and comprehensive documentation of all cost components. For value-based surveillance, lawful inclusion of overseas cost elements can provide operational flexibility, provided documentation is consistent and defensible. A shipment-by-shipment assessment is strongly recommended to determine whether surveillance can be avoided through proper valuation or whether proactive application for a Surveillance Certificate offers greater predictability and reduced clearance risk.

See relevant legislative document will be attached.