Import Surveillance Requirements for Table Tennis Tables Communiqué No: 2026/16

Scope of the Regulation

The surveillance measure applies exclusively to table tennis tables under HS 9506.40.00.00.11. Imports are subject to surveillance when the declared unit value falls below USD 5 per kilogram (gross weight).

Only consignments declared at or above the 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 prior to registration of the customs declaration and must be properly referenced in the declaration using the assigned document number and issue date.

In the absence of a valid certificate, customs clearance will be denied, regardless of the commercial purpose (retail sale, institutional use, sports facilities, or promotional imports).

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: 2026/16 as the legal basis. A qualified electronic signature is required, with an alternative submission option available through the national e-government portal.

Where electronic submission is not technically possible, 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, product specifications, weight breakdowns, or additional explanations. Any inconsistency, deficiency, or contradiction will suspend issuance until fully resolved.

Customs Value Clarification and Practical Application

The Communiqué explicitly 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, packaging costs, or other overseas charges. When properly documented and declared, these elements may raise the final customs value above the surveillance threshold, allowing clearance without a Surveillance Certificate. This approach is accepted by customs authorities, provided 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, accurate 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, storage costs, and increased exposure to 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 under contract near the effective date should reassess pricing, 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 high-volume, price-sensitive consumer sports equipment category where under-declaration risks frequently arise due to bulk shipment characteristics and mixed material compositions.

Importers should ensure accurate HS classification, correct gross weight determination, and comprehensive cost documentation. For value-based surveillance, lawful inclusion of overseas cost components 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.