🚨 BIG BREAKING NEWS

CUSTOMS INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR CHARTERED ENGINEER PANEL FOR VALUATION OF SECOND-HAND MACHINERY

OCTOBER 19 DEADLINE

EMPANELMENT OF VALUERS IN CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT

DETAILED ANALYSIS OF THE NOTICE BY CEV EXPERTS

New Delhi/Chennai, September 22: The Office of the Commissioner of Customs, Chennai-II (Import), under the Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, Government of India, has invited applications from Chartered Engineers for empanelment to undertake the valuation of second-hand, old and used imported and exported goods, machinery and related items.

The invitation has been issued through Public Notice No. 128/2026 dated September 22, 2026, bearing File No. CUS/AG/PN/17/2023-AM. The initiative is of particular relevance to Chartered Engineers engaged in machinery valuation, professional valuers associated with the assessment of used industrial assets, and other eligible technical professionals working in the field of import-export valuation.

According to the public notice, applications must be submitted in the prescribed format on or before October 19, 2026. Interested applicants are required to send their applications, together with supporting documents, in a sealed cover to the Commissioner of Customs, Chennai-II (Imports), Custom House, No. 60, Rajaji Salai, Chennai–600001, for scrutiny and evaluation.

Minimum five years of experience required

The notice lays down specific experience requirements for individual Chartered Engineers seeking empanelment. Applicants should have a minimum of two years of industrial experience, including experience in design, operation and maintenance in their respective fields. In addition, they must possess at least three years of experience in valuation, taking their total relevant experience to five years.

The Customs authorities have also indicated that preference will be given to applicants with specialisation in a particular branch or field of engineering, based on their work experience. Accreditation with an inspection body or council will be an advantage.

The notice expressly permits individual Chartered Engineers to apply for empanelment. Eligible professionals should therefore examine the prescribed application proforma and ensure that their qualifications, technical specialisation and valuation experience are properly documented before submission.

Supporting documents and professional credentials

Applicants have been asked to enclose copies of relevant certificates and supporting records with their applications. These include certificates issued by the Institution of Engineers and the Income Tax Department, documents relating to valuation of bank property, Goods and Services Tax registration certificates, and certificates establishing professional experience, as applicable.

The prescribed application proforma seeks detailed information regarding the applicant or the applicant’s organisation, including the type of entity, date of incorporation where applicable, head office address, branch office address and supporting proof, educational qualifications, professional credentials and engineering specialisation.

Applicants must also provide details of membership in any of the Institution of Valuers or any foreign institution, if applicable, and disclose whether they hold accreditation with any inspection body.

The notice makes it clear that the supporting documents are intended to facilitate scrutiny and evaluation. Applicants should ensure that the information supplied is complete and accurate.

Selection through scrutiny and technical evaluation

The selection process will involve scrutiny and evaluation by a committee constituted for the purpose. Following this exercise, the applications will be referred to the Institution of Engineers (India), 8 Gokhale Road, Kolkata–700020, for consideration of the applicants’ eligibility to undertake the valuation of second-hand and used machinery and related items.

The committee will determine the suitability of Chartered Engineers for empanelment and may conduct interviews, if required, as part of the selection process.

The procedure indicates that empanelment will be based on an examination of professional credentials, relevant experience and suitability for the specialised work of machinery valuation. Merely submitting an application will not confer any right to selection.

Empanelment to remain valid for three years

Under the public notice, the panel of selected Chartered Engineers will remain valid for three years, after which it will be reviewed.

A further requirement applies after selection. Empanelled Chartered Engineers will have to submit a self-appraisal report every six months in a format to be prescribed by the Customs authorities at a later date. Their performance will be assessed on the basis of these reports, and their continued eligibility to remain on the panel will be decided accordingly.

The requirement of periodic self-appraisal makes it important for selected professionals to maintain appropriate records of their assignments and professional performance throughout the period of empanelment.

Detailed valuation experience to be furnished

The application proforma seeks year-wise information about the applicant’s experience in valuation for the financial years 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24, 2024–25 and 2025–26.

The prescribed format includes information on the invoice value of inspected items, the value assessed by the Chartered Engineer in Indian rupees, and the difference between the values. More detailed year-wise statements are also envisaged, covering Chartered Engineer report numbers and dates, descriptions of inspected items, Bills of Entry numbers and dates, importer and exporter names, invoice values, assessed values, differences in value, places of clearance and remarks, where applicable.

The proforma further asks for Income Tax Return details for the last five years, along with the PAN number and turnover information for the relevant financial years, supported by documentary evidence. The returns are to relate to the company or individual applicant, as applicable.

These requirements make the compilation of a systematic record of previous valuation assignments, supporting documents and financial information an important part of preparing the application.

Wrong information may lead to cancellation and penalties

The Customs authorities have issued a specific warning regarding the submission of incorrect information. According to the notice, furnishing wrong information may result in cancellation of the applicant’s candidature or membership of the panel and may also attract penal provisions under the Customs Act.

Applicants should, therefore, verify the accuracy of their experience statements, professional credentials, financial particulars and supporting documents before filing their applications.

The notice also invites trade associations, chambers of commerce, members of Regional Advisory Committees and Customs Brokers’ Associations to publicise its contents among their respective members and constituents.

Relevance for the valuation profession

For Chartered Engineers working in the field of industrial machinery and used-goods valuation, the notice provides an opportunity to seek inclusion in the panel maintained by the Chennai-II (Import) Customs Commissionerate. It also sets out the experience, documentation and continuing performance requirements associated with empanelment.

The initiative is particularly relevant to professionals whose work involves assessing the value of second-hand industrial machinery and other used goods in the context of import and export transactions. Applicants with relevant engineering specialisations and documented valuation experience should carefully review the prescribed requirements before applying.

Important information for applicants

Issuing authority: Office of the Commissioner of Customs, Chennai-II (Import), Government of India.
Public notice: No. 128/2026, dated September 22, 2026.
Last date for submission: October 19, 2026.
Minimum experience: Two years of relevant industrial experience in design, operation and maintenance, plus three years of valuation experience, totalling five years.
Validity of panel: Three years, subject to subsequent review.
Submission address: Commissioner of Customs, Chennai-II (Imports), Custom House, No. 60, Rajaji Salai, Chennai–600001.
Mode of submission: Prescribed application proforma with relevant supporting documents, in a sealed cover.
Contact for difficulties: Assistant Commissioner of Customs (Appraising–Main), Import Commissionerate, Chennai, at appgmain-chencusimp@gov.in.

The public notice and its prescribed application proforma should be consulted by all prospective applicants for the complete requirements. The issuance of the notice is an invitation to apply; final empanelment will depend on scrutiny, evaluation and the decision of the competent committee.

Editorial note: Before applying, the newspaper recommends that you verify the notice on the official Chennai Customs website and include the application proforma or an official link alongside the article. The report above is confined to the information contained in the first two pages of the supplied document, with the application details organised for readability; it does not suggest that all valuers are automatically eligible, as the notice specifically invites applications from Chartered Engineers.