Portland cement dumping duty On 15 May the South African Revenue Service (Sars) announced the imposition of provisional payments (provisional anti-dumping duties) on Portland cement, classifiable under tariff subheading 2523.29, imported from or originating in Pakistan. The provisional payments were imposed up to and including 13 November 2015. Five rates of provisional payments were imposed, dependent on the manufacturer or producer of the cement. The respective rates of provisional payment are (i) Portland Cement manufactured or produced by Lucky Cement Limited (14.29%); (ii) Portland Cement manufactured or produced by Bestway Cement Limited (77.15%); (iii) Portland Cement manufactured or produced by DG Khan Cement Limited (68.87%); (iv) Portland Cement manufactured or produced by Attock Pakistan Cement Limited (63.53%); and (v) Portland Cement (excluding that manufactured or produced by Lucky Cement Limited, Bestway Cement Limited, DG Khan Cement Limited, Attock Pakistan Cement Limited (62.69%). Though we have not had sight of the International Trade Administration of South Africa (Itac) letter to interested parties, it is expected – based on past experience – that interested parties will have until 22 June 2015 to comment on Itac’s provisional recommendation. The reasoning for its recommendation will be contained in its report which has yet to be released. Draft Customs Duty Rules Comment on Sars’ first batch of draft Customs Duty Rules to the Customs Duty Act, 2014 (Act No 30 of 2014) relating to Chapters 1, 3 to 9 and 11 to 13, on which comment is due by 05 June 2015. The eleven chapters’ titles are, Interpretation, Application and Administration of this Act (Chapter 1); Payment of Duty, Penalties and Interest (Chapter 3); Refunds and Drawbacks (Chapter 4); Assessment of Duty (Chapter 5); Tariff Classification of Goods (Chapter 6); Valuation of Goods (Chapter 7); Origin (Chapter 8); Preferential Tariff Treatment of Goods (Chapter 9); Administrative Penalties (Chapter 11); Judicial Matters (Chapter 12); and Miscellaneous Matters (Chapter 13). HS2017/HS 2012 Correlation Tables Following comments on last week’s article, the onus is on you to compare and prepare for the introduction of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Harmonised System (HS) 2017. As mentioned in last week’s column, the WCO has published tables (I and II) which will assist you in this endeavour. Duty Calls Watch List Comment on the proposed new regulations relating to the grading, packing and marking of table olives intended for sale in South Africa is due by 29 May 2015. Comment on the proposed increase in the rate of customs duty on large bore welded steel pipes is due by 22 May 2015. Remember to check the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) weekly Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) list.
