Navigating the US Tariffs through the first sale principle

This webinar by Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan Attorneys (LKS) will explain the legal basis and use of the First Sale Principle under the U.S. customs law in the context of recent U.S. tariffs on Indian goods.

It will discuss how importers may determine customs value based on an earlier sale in the supply chain and how this method can support lawful tariff planning. The session will also cover key legal conditions, practical documentation needs, and compliance steps for businesses that import goods into the United States.

Talking points for the session:

• U.S. tariff measures announced in 2025 and their effect on landed cost of Indian goods
• Legal basis of customs valuation under the Tariff Act of 1930
• Meaning of transaction value and the concept of sale for exportation to the United States
• Scope and conditions of the First Sale Principle
• Judicial development in the USA 
• Three elements required for use of the First Sale Principle
• Application in related-party transactions and evidentiary requirements
• Documentation needs for establishing eligibility
• Practical considerations for importers reviewing supply chains

Speakers

• Devinder Bagia, Executive Partner, LKS
• Gopakrushna Das, Associate Partner, LKS