The International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) on 20 April published a notice for the creation of a rebate item for caustic soda, classifiable under tariff subheading 2815.12, for the extraction of copper and nickel, classifiable under tariff headings 26.03 and 26.04, on which comment is due by 04 May.
The application was lodged by Rustenburg Base Metal Refiners, a division of Rustenburg Platinum Mines Limited (RPM), who reasoned that (i) Key changes have impacted their primary supplier’s volumes, which have led to a shortfall in their caustic soda requirements which has led to the decision to import. (ii) The product attracts a 20% customs duty which is not recoverable and translates into an increase in the prices as the volumes increase. In addition to the caustic soda shortfall, nickel and copper is a critical part of the sustainable growth strategy for RPM.
