Explanatory Terms

  1. For the purposes of this procedure, the term “discount” refers to an arrangement whereby the seller, in return for the purchaser’s undertaking certain obligations or accepting or meeting certain conditions, reduces the amount of the price paid or payable for the imported goods. For example, the seller may grant a discount for prompt payment (cash discount) or because the seller operates at a certain level of trade (trade level discount) or because the purchaser has agreed to purchase a specified quantity of the goods in the sale giving rise to their importation (quantity discount).
  2. The price paid or payable, in accordance with Paragraph 3 of the Schedule to Section 80 of the Customs Act, is the total of all payments made or is to be made by the buyer, whether directly or indirectly, to or for the benefit of the seller.
  3. If a discount is effected - that is, the obligation or condition to which a discount relates is fulfilled or met - prior to importation, the amount of that discount should be considered when calculating the value for duty for the imported goods.
  4. The amounts of a discount effected after importation cannot be deducted from the price paid or payable for the imported goods.
  5. The discount should be fully earned.

The law stipulates that customs valuation shall, except in specified circumstances, be based on the actual price paid or payable for the goods to be valued, which is generally shown on the invoice. This price, plus adjustments for certain elements listed in paragraph 8 of the schedule to Section 80 of the Customs Act, equals the transaction value, which constitutes the first and most important method of valuation referred to in the Agreement.

The price actually paid or payable is the total payment made or to be made by the buyer to or for the benefit of the seller for the imported goods and includes all payments made as a condition of the sale of the imported goods by the buyer to the seller, or by the buyer to a third party to satisfy an obligation of the seller.

Discounts

The treatment of discounts in determining a transaction value under Paragraph 3 of the Schedule to Section 80 of the Customs Act, allows for the net price paid or payable to be an acceptable base for Transaction value unless the price is affected by a relationship as defined in Paragraph 1 (4) of the Schedule to the Customs Act or is subject to an unacceptable condition.

Cash Discounts

When prior to the valuation of imported goods, a buyer has availed himself of a cash discount offered by the seller, the cash discount should be allowed in determining the transaction value provided that the invoice states the type of discount and it is distinguished on the invoice. Where the price for the imported goods has not been paid at the time of importation and the cash discount will be effected after importation then such discount will not be considered in determining the Transaction value.

Quantity Discounts

Quantity discounts granted in view of the overall volume of the goods purchased and effected prior to importation are allowed in determining the Transaction value of the imported goods provided the invoice states the type of discount and it is shown separately on the invoice.

Trade Discounts

Trade discounts granted by the seller to the buyer on the imported goods and effected prior to importation of the goods are allowed in determining the Transaction value provided the invoice states the type of discount and it is shown separately on the invoice.

Sample Discounts

This type of discount is granted on goods for use as samples, or for other similar promotional items, and is also allowable in calculating the customs value.

Contingency Discounts

These are normally granted by a seller when the buyer has purchased a large number of goods over a given period. The discount relates to all importation in the period and not to one importation. A contingency discount is not allowable for custom duty purposes when it is claimed in full on one importation.

Breakage Allowance

This is a discount given by suppliers to compensate the buyer for any items which may be broken whilst in transit. The discount is allowable provided it does not exceed 2% of the total amount being imported. An allowance given for damage to a previous consignment is not taken into account for the current importation.

Rebates

A rebate or other decrease in the price paid or payable for the goods that are affected after importation of the imported merchandise will not be considered in determining the transaction value of imported goods.

Refunds

Refunds made or effected after the date the merchandise was imported may not be used to reduce the Transaction value of the goods.

Coupons

A coupon is a promotional tool in the form of a document or electronic graphic that can be redeemed for a discount when purchasing goods and services. Coupons are generally issued by manufacturers or retailers to the consumer and may be distributed through direct mail, apps, social media, or other means. A coupon will feature a specific savings amount or other special offers to persuade consumers to purchase specific goods or services or to purchase from specific retailers.

Coupons may be obtained in newspapers and magazines or electronically and when taken to the store or used online are used to get discounts on certain products. A coupon is the same as cash. The use of coupons by the buyer does not affect the cost of the goods, rather it is used in lieu of cash.

For example, if one has a $1.00 off coupon on a box of cereal that costs $10.00, that coupon is accepted as though it were cash along with $9.00 from the buyer at the cashier or on checkout.

The coupon value + the Cash Paid = Value of goods.

N.B Customs reserves the right to question/query all documentation in relation to Price Paid or payable and the amount of discount that is being claimed.