Govt Liaison Services
DGFT, CBIC, customs department liaison
Direct liaison with DGFT, CBIC, customs commissioners. SVB representation, redressal, advance ruling applications.
Government liaison is the work that happens between filing and result — at DGFT, CBIC, the customs commissionerate, the Special Valuation Branch (SVB), Advance Ruling Authority. Most exporters and importers either pay a junior consultant who waits in the queue for hours, or worse, don't do the liaison at all and let their application stagnate.
WCL operates a senior liaison desk directly engaging with DGFT (all regional authorities), CBIC (Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai), customs commissioners, SVB Mumbai/Chennai, and DGFT field offices for licence-related hearings. Specialist work — application follow-up, query response, hearing representation, advance ruling, refund pursuit, anti-dumping duty hearings.
Particular depth in SVB cases (related-party valuation defence — we appear at hearings, not just file), advance ruling applications (binding clarification of HS code or duty rate), anti-dumping investigation hearings (defence of the importer where ADD is being imposed on imported product), and EOU / SEZ regulatory liaison.
Everything we cover for Govt Liaison
Our process — step by step
Case scoping
We review the case — application stage, query pending, hearing scheduled, refund due, ADD imposed, SVB triggered.
Documentation & response prep
Reply to query, hearing brief, technical justification, supporting documents, prior orders / case law.
Hearing / submission
We attend the hearing in person at the relevant office (DGFT / SVB / customs commissioner / DGAD). Argue the case, respond to questions, file the written submission.
Outcome & follow-up
Order communicated. Where favourable: implementation tracked. Where adverse: appeal options reviewed.
Why exporters / importers pick us for Govt Liaison
- Senior liaison team — not junior consultants standing in queues
- Direct relationships at DGFT RAs Mumbai / Delhi / Ahmedabad / Jaipur
- SVB defence at Mumbai and Chennai (largest SVB jurisdictions)
- Advance Ruling experience — binding HS / duty clarifications obtained for past clients
- Anti-dumping defence — we've represented at DGAD hearings
What we'll typically need
Questions clients ask us about Govt Liaison
What's an SVB case and why do I need defence?
Special Valuation Branch examines related-party transactions — where your overseas supplier is your parent / sibling / subsidiary. SVB suspects under-invoicing and can load the customs value by 5-30%, retrospectively applying to all imports for 3 years. Defence requires transfer pricing documentation, comparable transactions data, and a hearing brief — work that needs senior liaison.
What's an Advance Ruling?
A binding clarification from the Authority for Advance Rulings on a specific question — HS classification, applicable duty rate, anti-dumping applicability, valuation methodology. Once granted, customs is bound by the ruling for your imports of that product. Useful when your HS classification is disputed or unclear.
How do I defend against an Anti-Dumping Duty proceeding?
DGAD (Directorate General of Anti-Dumping) investigates whether a product imported into India is being 'dumped' (sold below normal value) and causing injury to domestic industry. As an importer, you have to file a response, submit pricing data, and attend hearings. WCL represents importers in these proceedings.
Can you handle Commissioner Appeals?
Yes — for adverse customs orders, we represent at Commissioner (Appeals) hearings. For high-stakes matters we coordinate with senior advocates and CESTAT counsel.
Ready to move on this?
Tell us the shipment specifics — we'll turn around a binding quote in under 4 working hours.