Import Surveillance Requirements for Spectacle Frames and Sunglasses - Communiqué No: 2026/30

Scope of the Regulation

The surveillance measure covers both optical frames and finished eyewear products, reflecting the high level of price dispersion and branding sensitivity in this sector.

Under HS 9003.11, spectacle frames made of plastic materials are subject to surveillance when declared below USD 20 per unit. Frames made of materials other than plastic, classified under HS 9003.19, are also within the scope of the Communiqué, even though no separate unit value is explicitly differentiated in the table.

The regulation further applies to sunglasses classified under HS 9004.10, including those with plastic lenses and other types of lenses. These products are covered by the surveillance mechanism on a per-piece valuation basis, targeting low-priced imports that may distort market conditions.

Only imports declared at or above the applicable reference value may be released without surveillance certification.

Mandatory Surveillance Certificate

Where the declared unit value falls 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 prior to registration of the customs declaration and must be correctly referenced in the declaration using the assigned document number and issue date.

Failure to present a valid certificate results in customs clearance being blocked, regardless of whether the products are branded, unbranded, or intended for promotional or retail use.

Application and Review Process

Applications for Surveillance Certificates are submitted electronically through the national Single Window system using the designated industrial surveillance document type and selecting Communiqué No: 2026/30 as the legal basis. A qualified electronic signature is required, with an alternative submission channel available via the national e-government portal.

Where 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 documents, product specifications, or supplementary explanations. Any inconsistency, deficiency, or contradiction identified will suspend issuance until fully remedied.

Customs Value Clarification and Practical Application

The Communiqué expressly states, in a separate provision, that the reference values introduced for surveillance purposes do not replace and do not constitute customs value. General customs valuation rules remain fully applicable.

In practice—and specifically for value-based surveillance regimes—it is possible to structure the declared customs value by including legitimate foreign cost elements, such as international freight, insurance, royalties, or other overseas charges. By lawfully declaring these elements, the final customs value may be increased above the surveillance reference threshold, allowing the import to proceed without a Surveillance Certificate. This practice is accepted by customs authorities, provided that all cost components are genuine, properly documented, and declared in full compliance with valuation rules.

This approach 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 examining or reassessing the declared value under general valuation principles. Conversely, accurate and well-documented valuation may allow clearance without 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 result in customs delays, additional storage costs, and increased scrutiny during post-clearance audits.

Repealed Regulation and Entry into Force

With the entry into force of this Communiqué, Communiqué No: 2008/8 has been fully repealed. The new surveillance regime applies to customs declarations registered from the 30th day following publication, requiring careful transition planning for shipments scheduled around the effective date.

Compliance Assessment

From a customs compliance and trade risk management perspective, this regulation directly targets a sector characterized by high branding value, significant retail price variation, and frequent low-value import declarations. Importers of spectacle frames and sunglasses should reassess product classification, declared unit prices, royalty arrangements, and logistics cost allocation well in advance of shipment.

For value-based surveillance, lawful inclusion of overseas cost components may provide operational flexibility, provided documentation is robust and internally consistent. A shipment-by-shipment assessment is strongly recommended to determine whether surveillance can be avoided through correct valuation or whether proactive application for a Surveillance Certificate offers greater predictability and risk control.

See relevant legislative document.