On 22 March 2024, the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) extended an invitation to comment, by 22 April 2024, on the proposed creation of a Rebate Item on solid sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), classifiable under tariff subheading 2815.11, for conversion into sodium hydroxide in aqueous solution (soda lye or liquid soda), classifiable under tariff subheading 2815.12.
The application was lodged by African Chemicals (Pty) Ltd who reasoned that:
- It is widely accepted that there is a shortage of caustic soda in the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) market.
- It recognises that the shortage in the market intends to import solid flakes for conversion into liquid caustic soda to meet the SACU market demand.