Laminates Customs Duty Reduction – Comment Due Comment is due by 28 June 2013 in respect of the proposed reduction in the rate of customs duty on laminates of phenolic resins with a basis of paper, classifiable in tariff subheading 3921.90.05 from 10% ad valorem to free of customs duty, by the creation of a new 8-digit tariff subheading under 3921.90 for “laminates of phenolic` resins with a basis of paper, thermosetting”. The application was lodged by FX Veneers CC who reasoned that the product was not manufactured in the Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) and it was unlikely to be manufactured due to high capital costs. In addition, this product is used as an input in the manufacturing of an end product as well as sold directly in the Sacu market. Screws, Bolts and Nuts Increase – Comment Due On 28 June 2013 comment is due in respect of the proposed increase in the rate of customs duty on certain screws, bolts and nuts classifiable under tariff subheadings 7318.15.39, 7318.15.43 and 7318.16.80 from the existing 10% ad valorem to the 30% ad valorem bound rate. The application was lodged by CBC Fasteners (Pty) Ltd who offered the following reasons (i) Sacu manufacturers need to be protected against price undercutting from Chinese exporters exempted from the existing dumping duty on fasteners; (ii) CBC Fasteners (Pty) Ltd is unable to recover manufacturing overheads at the current low levels of production. There is an urgent need for CBC Fasteners (Pty) Ltd and other Sacu manufacturers to increase the volumes required to sustain critical mass and have sustainable businesses that continue to contribute to employment whilst maintaining investment; (iii) Domestic producers are facing significant price disadvantage against imported screws, bolts and nuts from Asian countries; (iv) The dumping duties imposed by Itac against imports from China are a clear indication that there is a problem in the industry. Therefore the requested duty increase of 20% ad valorem is justified; and (v) Increasing the customs duties on the bound level of 30% ad valorem will level the playing field for manufacturers. Dust Masks Customs Duty Rebate – Comment Due Comment is due by 28 June 2013 in respect of the proposed rebate of the customs duty on (i) polyurethane flat shapes with dimensions not exceeding 50 mm x 10 mm, self-adhesive on one side only, in rolls of a width not exceeding 20 cm, classifiable under tariff subheading 3919.10.07, for the manufacture of dust masks; (ii) silicone elastomeric straps with a length not exceeding 315mm and with a width not exceeding 7mm, classifiable under tariff subheading 3926.90.90, for the manufacture of dust masks; (iii) natural rubber straps with a length not exceeding 315mm with a width not exceeding 7mm, classifiable under tariff subheading 4016.99.90, for the manufacture of dust masks; and (iv) inner and outer shells of non-woven material, classifiable under tariff subheading 6307.90.10, for the manufacture of dust masks. The application was lodged by 3M South Africa (Pty) Ltd who offered the following reasons for the application: (i) re-introduce local manufacturing; (ii) increase labour work force from 130 heads to 145 heads; (iii) reduce the cost of production to the market and allow it to be competitive as the costs will have decreased; and (iv) advance investment and promote employment by 2015.
