Tariff Applications – Comment Due The International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) announced three tariff applications on 19 April 2013. The first relates to a proposed increase in the rate of customs duty on self-adhesive plates, sheets, film, foil, tape, and other flat shapes, of plastics, whether or not in rolls, of polyethylene terephthalates, classifiable in tariff subheading 3919.90.03, from 10% ad valorem to free of duty. The second application relates to the creation of rebate items for other woven fabric (5407.61), other textile fabrics (5903.20.90), and textile fabric (5907.00.90) for the manufacture of backed suede and upholstered furniture. The third application relates to the creation of a rebate item for palm oil, refined, bleached and deodorised but not fractioned, classifiable in tariff subheading 1511.90, for the manufacture of edible fats or oils, classifiable in tariff subheading 1517.90. Comments are due by 17 May 2013. Ropes and Cables Interim Review On 19 April 2013 Itac published a notice of an initiation of an interim review of the anti-dumping duties on ropes and cables, classifiable under tariff subheading 7312.10.40, manufactured by Casar Drahtseilwerk Saar Gmbh and originating in or imported from Germany. Comments are due by 27 May 2013. Scrap Metal Export Control The Economic Development Department (EDD) and Itac on 19 April informed interested parties, including scrap metal merchants, recyclers, and the industrial users of scrap metal for further processing, that Itac was considering the recommendation of a price preference system, in essence a price preferential rate to the extent of 20% below the London Metal Exchange (LME) benchmark spot price for the published types and grades of scrap metal, to ensure that the domestic foundries and mills have access to the critical supply of affordable scrap. Comment due by 03 May 2013. Import Control On 19 April 2013 the Minister of Economic Development, in terms of Import Control, announced the addition of asbestos, classifiable in tariff heading 25.24, and the addition of paragraph (p) “new and used second-hand goods excluding used and second-hand motor vehicles imported in terms of rebate item 412.03 of schedule 4 to the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act 91 of 1964)”. There was also the substitution for Schedule 4, which relates to tariff headings 49.01, 49.02, 49.03, 49.04, 49.05, 49.06, 49.09, 49.10, 49.11, 92.01, 92.02, 92.05, 92.06, 92.07, 92.08, and 92.09. Pro Forma Agreements and Bonds The South African Revenue Service (Sars) on 19 April 2013 published amendments to the rules to the Customs and Excise Act (the Act) relating to pro forma (standard) agreements, bonds and advice, and the DA185 form and some of its annexures namely DA 185.4A2, DA 185.4B1, DA 185.4B2, DA 185.4B3, DA 185.4B4, DA 185.4B5, DA 185.4B7, DA 185.4B8, DA 185.4B9, and DA 185.4B10. The amendments are effective from 19 April 2013. The dti Mission to Ghana and Benin The dti has extended an invitation to anyone interested in participating in an outward selling and investment mission to Ghana and Benin from 25 June to 05 July 2013.
