Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Associations in India (FFFAI) successfully conducted the inaugural session of its Short Learning Course Series on the topic “Customs Valuation,” bringing together professionals from the shipping, logistics, and customs broker fraternity for a focused and practice-oriented knowledge session.
The session commenced under the leadership of Amit Kamat, Chairman of FFFAI, who emphasized the growing importance of customs valuation in ensuring regulatory compliance amid increasing scrutiny by authorities. He noted that accurate valuation has evolved beyond a procedural requirement and is now a strategic capability essential for seamless cargo clearance and minimizing disputes.
Dushyant Mulani, Immediate Past Chairman of FFFAI, highlighted the importance of continuous professional development within the industry. He stated that structured learning initiatives are crucial in equipping members with the expertise needed to navigate evolving customs regulations and effectively address valuation-related queries during assessments.
Addressing the gathering, Tej Contractor, President of Indian Institute of Freight Forwarders (IIFF), underlined the significance of collaboration between FFFAI and IIFF in building a knowledge-driven ecosystem that strengthens both operational efficiency and technical competency in areas such as valuation, classification, and compliance.
The highlight of the program was the keynote address delivered by Ashok Kumar Kothari, former Commissioner of Customs, who conducted an in-depth and highly practical session on customs valuation. Drawing from his extensive field experience, he provided clarity on determination of transaction value, application of valuation rules, common errors observed in Bills of Entry, departmental perspectives on “value seems low” cases, and practical strategies to justify declared values during assessments and audits.
The program concluded with a formal vote of thanks delivered by Sudip Dey, Hon. Secretary of FFFAI, who appreciated the relevance and depth of the session. He emphasized that such initiatives play a key role in making members self-reliant and technically empowered to handle customs processes with greater confidence and competence.
He also extended gratitude to the organizing teams of FFFAI and IIFF, coordinators, back-office staff, and all stakeholders who contributed to the successful execution of the inaugural learning session. The program witnessed strong participation and meaningful interaction, reflecting the industry’s growing focus on strengthening compliance capabilities through structured learning and professional development.
