Off-airport degroupage rules gazetted

ALAN PEAT
ACCORD BETWEEN forwarding and clearing agents and customs over off-airport degroupage - where the playing fields have been nothing close to level for five years - is close.
Although no firm dates are available, Customs has assured us that things are progressing smoothly, and a final decision imminent.
“The degrouping legislation was published in December in the Revenue Law Amendment Act 45 of 2003,” said customs executive, Sechaba Nkosi.
“This was inserted in the Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964 - with the definition of a degrouper; provision in section 6 for the appointment; provision in section 44 for liability; and provision in section 64G for licensing.”
However, he added, the rules stipulating how these sections will function have not yet been finalised.
“The drafted rules are currently being commented on internally,” Nkosi said, “whereafter they will be published for external comment.
“Only when all comments from these two circulations have been considered, and, where applicable, included in the draft rules, will they be published and come into force.”