Customs begins accreditation blitz in KZN

More rigorous nationwide screening process begins ALAN PEAT THE SA Revenue Service (Sars) is currently conducting an auditing blitz of all its current accredited clients in Pietermaritzburg in Kwa Zulu Natal – the start of a nationwide review of all those companies already accredited, according to trade and customs consultants Deloitte. This, Deloitte told FTW, follows various communications from Sars over the last few months that the accreditation initiative is under review and the process will be revamped. “Companies need to be aware that they could potentially lose their accredited status should Sars discover that they have misrepresented disclosures on their initial application,” said a Durban-based spokesperson for the company. “In addition to the potential penal provisions it will be difficult for these companies to regain their accredited status.” The warning at this stage - now that the newly revived audit initiative has started - is that accredited companies need to have a re-look at their initial applications to ensure that there are no potential problems lurking there which could create exposure. The next step by Sars, the spokesperson added, is to be a self-assessment document – which is likely to be available very soon. The draft was issued only to those who attended the recent stakeholders’ meeting. Responses to this first document are currently being analysed by customs after which the final document will be released. “There is now a lot more focus on compliance and auditing,” said the Deloitte source, “and – looking forward - all new applications for accreditation will undergo a more rigorous screening process by Sars.”