On 23 September the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) initiated its self-published, review of the “General” rate of customs duty on various downstream steel products, classifiable in tariff headings 73.06, 73.15, 73.26, and 87.16.
The reasoning offered is that the global steel crisis is negatively impacting the entire Southern African Customs Union (SACU) steel value chain; A number of SACU downstream industries have expressed concerns regarding the lack of tariff protection against imports of finished products that often come at unsustainably low prices; and a competitive steel value chain that supports increased beneficiation, investment and employment is a key priority for SACU development.
Comment is due by 21 October 2016.