Mussels Tariff
On 03 October 2014 the South African Revenue Service (Sars) announced the amendment of tariff subheadings 1605.53.20 and 1605.53.90 - canned mussels (i) in airtight metal containers, or (ii) other - resulting in the increase in the “General” rate of customs duty from 5.5 c/kg to 25% ad valorem as recommended in International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) Minute No. M02/2014.
Do you know what an Itac Minute is? This year Itac has issued three Minutes, two of which were in respect of sugar. The publication of Minute No M03/2014 is now awaited. The tariff application, lodged by Itac, was published on 18 July 2014.
Paper/Paperboard Tariff
Sars on 03 October 2014 announced an increase in the “General” rate of customs duty on paper and paperboard, classifiable under subheadings 4802.56.20 and 4802.56.90, from 5% ad valorem and 10% ad valorem. The reasoning for the tariff amendments is contained in the Itac Report No.482.
This application, lodged by the Paper Manufacturers’ Association of Southern Africa (Pamsa), was published on 18 October 2013, or 350 days ago.
Sugar Tariff
On 25 September 2014 Sars announced an increase in the rates (all rates affected) of customs duty, classifiable under tariff subheadings 1701.12, 1701.13, 1701.14, 1701.91 and 1701.99, from 92,6c/kg to 142,5c/kg in accordance with the variable tariff formula (there is also one for wheat). The reasoning for tariff amendments is contained in Itac Minute M04/2014.